Who makes a good reasonably priced exhaust brake for my '92? You guys that have them do they work well? Can you get them so you can control when the brake is activeated? There are times I don't want it to work and other times when I do. Is that possible? How tough are they to install?

Thanks for the help

 

Gary-
Jacobs Vehicle Systems and PacBrake are the big brands. You can set them up to work however you want. Most installations have an arming switch that turns the system on and off, and a switch attached to the gas pedal so the brake automatically activates when you get all the way off the gas. You can also have full manual control with a switch mounted on the shifter. I like the automatic switch on the pedal myself. If I don't want the brake to work, I just turn off the system. Here is Jacobs' web site http://www.jakebrake.com/

Install instructions: http://www.jakebrake.com/service/pdf2/022892E.pdf

Operating instructions: http://www.jakebrake.com/service/pdf2/021071B.pdf

I'd highly recommend getting the valvespring kit, it almost doubles the braking power the brake can generate.
Dave

 

Regardless of which exhaust brake you choose do the 60 lb springs - then you won't have to worry about valve float. That being said I've got a BD exhaust brake and love it. I've had it for over 2 years and use it all the time. It has ended front rotor warp and extended rear brake life considerably - I still don't know how much because I've got over 80,000 on the rears and they are still good.

Bob

 

Ditto Dave and Bob. I've got the PacBrake and, like Bob, use it all the time. Let the engine do the work . The only thing I don't like about it is that it's too quiet.

 

Old Man, How good does that pacbrake work with your automatic? Has it helped with the life of your brakes?

Chris

 

Chris,

It does a good job. The main thing is to keep the RPM's up for the best braking. Ya know, shift down, etc. I imagine it would be even better with a locking T/C. Now, and I hate to admit it, I have only 53,000 on the truck. Not even broken in. Now that I've said that, I still have 80% left on the rear and 60% on the front brakes.

 

Where can I get a Jake Brake or PacBrake at a good price?

 

PacBrake has a site that gives an 800 number to locate their dealers

http://www.pacbrake.com/exhaust/dodge.html

I imagine the others would have something similar.

Oh, and the price is never good enough.

 

look on here. it seems like a pretty good price for a pacbrake.

http://www.piersdiesel.com/.



Chris

 

You guys that are using the pacbrake or the jakebrake. Are these the ones to get? It seems a bunch of places carry the pacbrake. I would like the thing to work at lower rpms. I know the rpm is what retards the engine but it would be nice to have it work at lower speeds. Anyone know anything about the BD Brake?

 

When I got my PacBrake, about 5-6 years ago, I a couple places I called talked about a locking T/C. Back then they were throwing out a price of about $1,000. Maybe doing both would give you closer to what you want. Even without any T/C mods I was REAL happy going down the west side of Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado. Max speed for 18 wheelers was 18mph. PacBrake on and in 2nd gear I didn't have to touch the brakes more than a couple times. ;D ;D And that's with the camper.

 

I'm getting ready to install a US Gear unit with the "Waste gate" on it.
Got a good deal from Southeast Power Systems in Tampa while attending a TDR event.
I'll let you know how I like it next week.
Bringing a load through PA and VA into GA.