Why not get an exhaust brake?

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I am light enough--13,000 gcw--that I don't really need an ebrake but I am thinking of getting a Jake anyway. Is there any reason that I would not want one? What kind of problems do they cause?

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Glen Eaton
2001 2500QC SLT LB 5sp 4x4 Garnet, Line-X, Steel GemTop, Karry boat loader, VDO gauges, Tekonsha Envoy

 

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they are no problem! I had one on my 95, I used it while empty and towing... let me tell you, not only does it save your brake pads, it saved my life and others lives countless times! Our Dodges are not difficult to make GO, but you gotta admit, they dont stop so well! I highly recommend the US Gear Decelerator.

 

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BD recommends that you not use the brake while shifting. They also suggest you use it frequently to prevent carbon buildup and sticking. Use the brake one time and you will use it all the time so that is a no brainer. Some towns prohibit engine brakes which can be very loud. These exhaust brakes are pretty quiet so that should not be to much of a problem. I suppose you could always find a cop having a bad day though. Love my BD!

 

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I use my PacBrake all the time. It's no where nearly as loud as the Jake used on big rigs. In fact, I don't think you can get a Jake for these engines. Jacobs makes good exhaust brake for these engines but not their engine brake.

I have almost 100K on my front brake pads and almost 120K on the rear brake shoes. I sure didn't get that kind of brake milage before I got the PacBrake.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

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According to Jacob's, you can use the E-Brake in "NO JAKE" zones. I love mine and it should have been a standard accessory. I don't even get the brake dust on my front wheels anymore.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec Differential Cover, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper.

 

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I am now on my second BD Brake. #ad
I had to change over to a 4" under truck unit when I upgraded to the HX40 Turbo. #ad
No problems ever with either of them. I run empty all the time and I still use the brake every time I stop. #ad
#ad
There are no laws against exhaust brakes, just engine brakes.

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520 Rear Wheel H. P. and locomotive level torque = 15. 5 sec @ 97 mph with the rear wheels spinning in 5th gear going through the traps in the quarter mile. No slicks here, pal, no fancy auto transmission, just the truck in full street trim, 7400 lbs. of Auto Wurks Diesel/BD Performance raging, fire-breathing DIESEL POWER

 

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I highly recommend the shifter switch also. Then you don't have to reach for the regular switch to turn it off when shifting and on when braking. It works slick and gives you something else to do #ad


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1972 Chinook class C with 96/215 5spd, 4/5" exh, 4"BD, MagHytec, 85gal fuel, K&N RE0880, AutoMeter, 370's, BD gov kit, BD afc kit, www.fostertruck.com/cummins

[This message has been edited by LarryB (edited 11-02-2000). ]

 

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I'm not quite following the messages about turning off the E-Brake when shifting. The Jacob's exhaust brake connects to the ECM and there is approximately a 1. 5-second delay from the moment I let off of the accelerator to the time the E-Brake engages. This give plenty of time to shift. I do recommend using a shifter mounted switch as it is much easier to control the operation of the E-Brake. I like to toggle mine off after I roll up to stops lights, but this is not required.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec Differential Cover, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper.

 

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I'm with dresslered on this one...
The Jacobs ebrake has enough of a delay before engagement,that you don't have to worry about it coming on between shifting. That's how it was engineered.

I also have the push/pull switch mounted in the stick-shift lever. I'm empty 95% of the time,but I use the ebrake all of the time. The switch usually stays on all the time unless I'm sitting idle at an intersection.

Another plus is,I turn on the ebrake on cold mornings while the truck is warming up... it builds heat faster.

-Mike

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'00 2500QC 4x4 LWB Dark Garnet R1AZ ETC DEE DMD 2HG AHJ DSA LNJ MXB AHC DD stage II Psychotty air Jacobs e-brake Isspro gauges Airoquip fuel lines 2wd-Low BFG 285/75 AT's.

 

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On the underwired trucks a microswitch in the throttle linkage is used to control the e-brake instead of the ecm, therefore there is no delay. If you shift slowly the brake will come on between gears. By having the shifter switch you can easily click off the brake after slowing.

 

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I was under the impression that even the microswitch set-ups offered a delay. You could add this very easily if you wanted too.

 

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When I first installed my BD 4" I had the floor pan out so could look right at it while sitting in the drivers seat. The only delay I could see was the time it took for the vacume cyl to move full stroke. Maybe there is a restricting orfice inline somewhere but I didn't see one. Maybe There should be but I don't have it. Or maybe mine has real high vacume.

Anyway, I was considering connecting it to the brake light curcuit so to activate you just step on the brake enough to close the brake light switch but not enough to apply service brakes. Then just press harder if more stopping power is needed. No switching at all to worry about. Or better yet I'll just move the microswitch from the throttle pedal to the brake pedal, Yea that sounds like the best idea. #ad
#ad


[This message has been edited by LarryB (edited 11-02-2000). ]

 

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The only reason I don't have one is ... ... ..... Lack-O-Funds. Can't think of any other reason.

 

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. . pull (or rather be pushed by) a fully loaded 4-horse trailer down the Lewiston grade in Idaho without an exhaust brake and you will never want to do it again! the runaway ramps were small comfort... ...
Gary

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'92 W250 LE 4x4, NV4500 5spd, Borgeson steering shaft, PrimeLoc

 

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I guess I am different than most. When shifting I keep slight pressure on the accelerator so the E-brake does not engage. Gotten used to this and find it no problem on th 97 with the micro switch.
83,000 and still on the factory pads.
E-brake!

BTW going down Lewiston grade empty is no fun either!!

[This message has been edited by Happy Camper (edited 11-02-2000). ]

 

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Thanks for the information everyone. Looks like I will get one. But first I'm off on another hunting trip. I voted absentee for the guy that wont take my guns from me.

 

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I do the same thing Happy Camper - I adjusted my micro switch so that I can put slight pressure on the accelerator and have the brake disengaged (still at idle too). The only time I turn my brake off is if I'm idling at an intersection, shutting down, or HARD acceleration. When accelerating normally I just do as you.



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax, 275hp RV injectors, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

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Just returned home from 1st trip towing with new BD brake. Without it we would have spent more time away from home while the truck was in the body shop. Some no brainer cut in front of us as the light turned red and with out the e brake I would never have got stopped in time. The trailer is only 6000lbs but the brake is an awsome add on and not noisy at all, a slightly deeper exhaust tone when activated is all. DO IT.

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
80gal fuel capacity. BD Brake, EGT,Boost + fuel pressure gauges. Member NRA/USPSA

 

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The biggest sound thing about my brake is the verry loud hiss out the pipe. It sounds like a large air leak. when you turn it off you get a lout "thssswump" sound. I have a straight through 5" muffler too so maybe it lets more sound through.

 

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Originally posted by dresslered:
I was under the impression that even the microswitch set-ups offered a delay. You could add this very easily if you wanted too.

You have a manual- they'll (BD) theoretically give you the delay. the one I have with the automatic has no delay at all. No problem when I wanna slow-down, but when upshifting from 3-lock straight to 4-lock, (have the torquelock/autolock box that comes from BD) I have to keep coordinated, or I "WOOF" the turbo. (BAD!!!) When I do it right, the shifting turbo-sounds come out just like a Kenworth.
A real "jake" can be on a 5. 9, but would make too tall for a Dodge hood. (or so I've read/heard)... rm