Your opinions on exhaust brakes for 4" exhaust

[TomGolden]

Since I rarely tow, I haven't paid much attention to exhaust brake threads. I do know that a couple years ago, no one was making them for a 4" exhaust. But I believe they do these days.



I just got back from my annual hunting trip where I tow my dad's Toyota 4x4 behind my truck. We hunted in northern Utah this year, near the town of Vernal. The road going up out of town to the hunting area is 30 miles of 9% grades, and terrible switchbacks, and it was brake melting time coming down that hill towing the Toyota... So, I am now very interested in getting an exhaust brake.



Please lend me your experiences with e-brakes for 4" exhausts. Brands, good points, bad points, any little gotchas I should be aware of... I know I could search, but I know e-brake threads are frequent enough that I'd get hundreds of hits...



Mucho thanks



Tom

 

[rubberneck]

Tom, buy the BD 4" remote mount. I love mine. I have one on the 2001 and on a 98 12v. They are awesome

 

[P Madrid]

BD, Jacobs-Extarder and PacBrake make remote mount 4" exhaust brakes. You can find them listed under the RV application. They all work the same, choice would be more of brand preference, warranty and cost. You need air to operate these and you have to buy the kit with the air compressor or supply your own. Would be wise to add an air tank for future options. US Gear makes one but is electronically applied, have seen too many fail.



Pablo

 

[Scrappy]

exhaust brake opts.

What is the outlet size on an '03 ? I have been told that it is 4" so a brake off an '03 might work with a 4" outlet turbo(HX-40).

 

[willyslover]

Had two brake so far



a 3" turbo mount Pac Brake [old rig] and now a BD 4" remote [on the '01 ] . . both have been great units Zero problems. .



Pac now makes a 4" , didn't when I got the 4"BD. . the 4" BD is a very good unit that mounts fairly easy [I didn't do my mount do to the hip issues] Blair pine mounted it for me. .



suggest contacting Blair or Browns Valley RV for install Tom

 

[DHayden]

I have a BD 4" remote and I am very satisfied. I got the shifter mount actuator so its right at my finger tips and I use it even when I'm not towing. Haven't had any of the other brands so can't say anything pro or con about them.

 

[BPINE]

Tom just get a BD and be done with it. You will be very glad you have it, just because you don't tow doesn't mean you don't need it.

 

[TomGolden]

Guys, thank you all very much for the input.



I had no idea you needed an air pressure line going to an e-brake. wow... I have been wanting an onboard air compressor to run air horns and pump up tires, etc. , and possibly if I ever get air locker(s) in one or both diffs at some point. Well, it's good to know that I will need this also for an exhaust brake.



Thanks again,

Tom

 

[Ram4Sam]

No air needed!

Tom, the BD brakes do not need any air compressor. They are vacuum operated by the factory vacuum pump that run the HVAC controls on your truck. Also, the BD is not hooked up to the ECM. The kit comes with a micro switch that hooks up to the go pedal. I actually chucked the whole micro switch setup and just wired direct to a 2 speed switch on the shifter. Nice and simple with less parts to fail or keep adjusted.



Sam

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by P Madrid

You need air to operate these

Nope..... They use the factory vaccuum pump to operate the servo. I have had ZERO service issues with my remote BD 4".

 

[y-knot]

I love my exhaust brake, but I can not understand why everyone has to make things so difficult? Why mount the brake downstream and inline with the exhaust?? I am sure some will say it flows better, bunk... . if you have a 4" exhaust already, then you are flowing more air then your engine will ever produce. Also, Why expose the brake to road dangers by mounting it under the truck? Why spray it with rain, salt, mud,ect if you don't have to?? Why make everything so complicated? there is nothing wrong with the standard turbo mount location. It is protected, safe, easy to get at, not exposed to the elements, and all the control and vac,pressure lines are protected. If it's a need to do something different, paint your lug nuts pink, That will get some attention.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Because some of us run Hx40 turbos and or Higher and cannot turbo mount them It has nothing to do with flow.

 

[DHayden]

Y-Knot



Me getting an inline had to do with wanting to try different turbo set ups or maybe even twins. I wouldn't want to buy a new brake everytime I switched turbo's.

 

[y-knot]

OK

 

[rubberneck]

I want a 5 " remote mount. . Can you guess why

 

[Hemiless]

I don't know rubberneck planning on Twins maybe????

I want a 5 " remote mount. . Can you guess why

Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[P Madrid]

Sorry guys, I was not aware that BD was making a vacuum operated 4" remote exhaust brake. I see the RV set ups and your regular Dodge bolt on kit. I guess I need to visit the BD web site.



Pablo