what is a fair price and good brand for exaust brakes. Can the cost be justified? i have electric brakes on all three trailer axles and all seems well ?

 

If you tow in hilly areas the exhaust brake is very much worth it! Not much use across the midwest, but in the rockies a necessity. Get a newer one that works at lower rpm's. They have built in wastegate.
Rick

 

I've been using an exhaust brake on my truck since 2001. Its worth the money. When I run lite on the interstate I use it just to slow me down without using any brake pedal at all. When towing, no mater were, I always have it on. I like to keep the breaks as cold as possible for that one time when you really need to hook them up, like in New Orleans, LA when so idiot decides to pull in front of me and get on the brakes.

It is possible for me to exit the interstate at speed and never use the breaks until the last 50 ft or so.(downshifting the 6 speed along the way)

You automatic is somewhat differant the way it works needing to lock up the torque converter when the exhaust break is applied. Other than that, it works the same as mine.

If you can ride with someone that has one, one time, I think you'll be convinced.

Dave

 

what brand do you have cost ?

 

Herb,
You need a BD brake and a BD brake controller to lock up your auto tranny, $1200-$1300 range!
Just figure the cost of a truck and trailer brake job! The exhaust brake pays for itself very fast. Trailer brakes at $100 per axle, or more if you need drums $300-$500 + labor if you pay someone else. Truck brakes at $100 pads, $200 for rotors, $200 for drums plus labor.
Thats $1000 just for truck/trailer brake parts.

The BD brake and a couple others, Banks, the new PacBrake etc....... work at low rpm unlike the older models. My BD slows just as good at 1500 rpm as it does at 3000 rpm.
The older PacBrake, Jacobs etc....slow the best above 2500 rpm and not much brake hp lower.

I went with the BD for the(I got it used off a TDR member)
reason my auto hardly ever sees over 2000rpm.

The turbo mount is very easy to install, the inline brake is best if you want to add a bigger turbo later. They both work the same.

 

I have a banks brake and i really like it works good too cost me just under $ 900
and took 3 to 4 hrs to install (mostly the wiring) wouldnt be without one now that i have it

 

I have a Pac Brake. It did not work very good until I did the lock up on it. Man that thing rocks now. I live in Colorado and tow my 4x4 to different trails, its about 5,000 lbs nothing to heavy. Last week I left the house at 5:00 am I was still sleeping.....I drove over three Mnt pass's. After my day was over and I was heading back home I noticed my Trailer Brakes were off. I could not believe how that thing works.....its worth every dime. It helps save on your trailer brakes also, and those things can wear out fast. I was towing a car down from Denver today and the guy that was riding with me was craping himself on good it would slow the truck down. I am flying down the HWY at 85 and people cut in front of my and I just let up off the gas and that sucker slows you down in a hurry. One other nice thing about them is in the winter time you can warm you truck up faster!

I picked up a used one for $400.00. I know this is not the for sale section but I have a buddy who sold his 97 and has a New Pac Brake with used hardware. If you want me to find out the price send me a PM and I will ask him.

 

i was curious what all an exhaust brake consists of........can anyone who has installed one tell me what all ther is. of course there is a valve in the exhaust line. but wher is it mounted? is it controlled by an electric actuater? i suppose u have to tap into a wire somewhere that tells the thing to engage as the accelerator is released? i suppose the valve has to be the same ID as the exhaust system. just curious how much more electronics are involved. i enjoy tinkering with things and was jw bout a homemade one......... maybe no tapping wires and have a push button to activate it? hehe, talk about southern enginuity. ne body got "push button brakes"? lol. i suppose since mine is a standard i wouldn need to worry bout ne thing else.
but then again, this is why i post my thoughts on here....... so you guys can tell "why that wont work" or make me realize how truelly dumb i am. thanks

 

If you're asking if the exhaust brake is worth it, my truck has 165000 miles on it and I still have all the original brake pads and shoes and rotors and drums all the way around and the pads and shoes are still well over half there.

The make up of the system depends on which brake you buy. On the Jacobs, the valve mounts right to the back of the turbo, atleast on the 99's anyway. The B&D and others mount the valve further down in the exhaust pipe. There is usually a small air or vacuum solenoid mounter near the valve with some wiring and vacuum tubing or hose. The Jacobs ties into the computer "NO FUEL" circuit on the ECM and turns on only when you leave off the go fast pedal. The others have micro-switches to control their actuation.

To answer your question, the exhaust brake is very well worth the money to me anyway.

 

I have a Pacbrake on my 3500 and it is the best mod I have ever done on that truck. I use it everyday loaded or unloaded.....I hardly ever have to touch the service brakes......and it doesn't matter if you tow in the hills or not, when towing you will really enjoy the extra braking power.

One thing to note, though.....I have noticed that the braking performance isn't quite as good on an auto but the performance is improved with the lock up controller. You will have to always manually downshift the auto to keep the engine rpm high enough to get reasonable retarding power.

 

If all is well , then all is well. Save your money. You wouldn't like it.

 

I had a Banks brake on mine until I went to a new turbo and can't use it anymore. I miss it already. It may be for sale.

 

WHY? I love my brake and it works good with or with out the trailer hooked up

 

Yep, I use it all the time. Just ask Rattlinram if I use it or not.

 

Same here Rebal. But Herb said "all seems well," so what good would an e-brake be to him? Do you think he's ready to spend $1000 for one if he thinks his trailer brakes do the job. Sounds to me like he wants somebody to convince him why he needs one. I've sold enough of um and I guess I'm just tired of explaining why a tower needs one. A person should know if he needs one or not.

..Preston..