I was thinking about buying an engine brake but I was wondering if they sounded like the engine brake on the bigger trucks. I drive a pete at work with straight pipes and the jake sounds awsome. I would love if my dodge sounded like that, but I doubt it will make the same sound because the one on the pete holds the valves. The one for our trucks closes the exhaust.

 

Aaaaahhhh, that's why the jake brakes on OTR tractors sounds the way they do. We've got a couple little Issuzu Class 5 cab over trucks at work(Pepsi) w/ diesels and exhaust brakes. When you let off the throttle you just notice it slow down a little faster with no extra noise and a slight "click" when you get back on it and it opens.
So then just how effective are exhaust brakes in pickups? Do they make a noticeable difference like in a big truck?

 

No, it doesn't sound the same. Mine with a straight pipe sounds like the suction end of a vacuum cleaner on steroids. You can definitely feel it when it kicks on, but I doubt it is as effective as a semi.

 

And how much of a difference does it make in your decelerating speed?

 

On an automatic truck without a lockup converter they are worthless.

On a 5 speed truck, if you plan ahead you never need the brakes unless somebody does something stupid in front of you.

On a straight piped truck they sound pretty cool, not like a jake but a nice raspy tone. With a muffler it just hisses.

 

They are worth it if you're hauling. I went without one for a few years hauling horses in the mountains and everytime I got home I swore I was going to buy one.Make sure you install the 60# exhaust valve springs without them you can only set the pressure to 6-8 lbs.A friends 97 CTD has the brake but didn't upgrade his springs, hardly notice the hold back at all. And it does sound cool on a staight pipe exhaust not the rumble of a truck but pretty good for a pickup.

 

There is a noticable sound to the exhaust brake. You can definetly hear the difference. Personaly I will never buy another truck and not have an exhaust brake on it. I love mine. Do they work **** Right. I bought mine a few years ago after I did some major damage to my disk brakes through New England. Wanadiesel suggested it and I got one. Man what a difference. Like Wanadiesel said with my fifthwheel I run at about 18K. I can stop the thing without touching the brakes under normal conditions. Of coures you have to see the light or know the stop sign is coming up. We just got back today from western Maryland and Pa. Man there are some serious hills out there. The exhaust brake is the ticket. I can leave it in fourth and run "most" of the grades without using the brakes at all. Now of course sharp curves and such you may need to use them. I was through West Virginia last year. There isn't a straight stretch of road or a level spot in the entire state. Up and down and again serious grades. Without the exhaust brake I would have put two, three or maybe four sets of brakes on by now. Nope I won't leave home without one. Another thing that is nice a bout them is you can "tap" it just a little just to slow a bit. If your decending a grade and and you want to get a bit more speed before you use the exhaust brake again just touch the throttle. That will shut off the brake without adding power. Now lift a bit and your back on the exhaust brake. I use it that way all the time.

Best money I've spent on the truck. Can ya tell I love the thing? Now if you get one get one like the BD. It starts at low rpm's. You don't have to be at 2300 or more before it works properly. Of course the higher the rpm the better it works but quite a bit of the time you want it at lower rpms.

Oh yeah. I use it empty also. Really helps that way also.

 

I think the exhaust brake is just as effective as an engine brake when you take into account the differences in engine and load sizes. I have driven and operated both, and cant imagine having a big rig without one if you're outisde the flatlands. (If the DOT were truly concerned about safety, they'd lift the ABS requirement and make Jakes mandatory, at least in mountains). I just cant justify putting a $1000 brake on a $4000 pickup when I dont tow that much. (when I do tow, it is in the 20K GCVW range, but it is on the flat) Ok, I cant justify it to the boss.

DP

 

I can come from Salida, CO to Montrose on US 50 over Monarch Pass, Blue Mesa and Cerro Summit with 4 horses in the goose and virtually never use the brakes. The exhaust brakes make a BIG difference particularly if you've got a 5 or 6 speed manual. My 2¢

 

I have an older BD exhaust brake on mine with a switch on the shifter. I don't tow much at all but I use the brake everytime I need to slow down. I drive 40k a year and live in a hilly part of the country and I do my front brakes about every 60k and my back about double. My brakes actually stop my truck well with no compaints like I've heard of other users. I would like to upgrade my exhaust to a 4 inch but with my 3 inch exhaust brake on there and the amount I use the thing I don't think it would be worth the money to buy a 4in exhaust brake and the piping without me towing more.