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Newbie - Help identifying an unknown add-on

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Old 08-30-2006, 03:48 PM
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Newbie - Help identifying an unknown add-on

I just picked up my truck (specs below) this weekend and have a question about, what looks like an after market addon.

Mounted to the dash are 1) a vacuum gauge and 2) a pull handle. When the handle is pulled the vacuum reading changes. Other than that I see (or feel) no effect. The tubing and cable are routed to a unit on the drivers side of the engine compartment. There it a steel tube running from it to the brake master cylinder.

Can someone tell me what this is?


2002 Dodge 3500 Quad Cab Dually
5.9L HO Diesel
M6 trans
4x4
Old 08-30-2006, 05:34 PM
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Only guessing but could it be a manual 4X4 engagement or 2 wheel drive LOW selector?


Does it put the truck into 4X4?
Old 08-30-2006, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Sidewinder
Only guessing but could it be a manual 4X4 engagement or 2 wheel drive LOW selector?


Does it put the truck into 4X4?

No to the going into 4x4. I thought it may be some sort of vacuum/manual parking brake but it doesn't hold the truck.
Old 08-30-2006, 06:32 PM
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Air brake?
Old 08-30-2006, 07:34 PM
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If you put the truck into 4x4 normally and then activate the switch, can you tell a difference? (Lots of people make a 2WD low kit that lets them disconnect the front axle while in 4x4 mode, makes it easier to turn/manuever when backing a heavy trailer).

~Rob
Old 08-31-2006, 10:12 AM
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probably a vacuum brake system for a trailer
Old 08-31-2006, 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by farmerdukes
probably a vacuum brake system for a trailer
That was my first guess also.
Old 08-31-2006, 10:41 AM
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My FIL had this same thing. It was for a vacum brake on a trailer he had. Should go to some sort of twist lock air looking connector.
Old 08-31-2006, 10:47 AM
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Call up and ask the PO what it is.
Old 08-31-2006, 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Baja
Call up and ask the PO what it is.
I bought it from a broker who aquired it from a bank after a repo.
Old 08-31-2006, 11:16 AM
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I was guessing something like that was going on, but I had to throw it out there anyway. No diss intended.
Old 09-05-2006, 09:47 AM
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Found it: trailer brakes. I crawled underneth this weekend and found hoses running to the bed. I removed the bed liner to find a connection panel used to tow a gooseneck trailer. I know this because I also found a drop down gooseneck hitch in the bed. Oh the things a bedline can hide.
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