Just wondering how much an exhaust brake helps over just having the TC locked up with an automatic. My 06 has the tow/haul mode that keeps the TC locked up and it is definitely nice on downhill grades to hold the truck back. Can anyone tell me how much difference an exhaust brake would add to this braking?

I priced out the brake at a dealer today and it was $1710 + 5 hours labor for install. Lotsa coin so I want to be sure it is worth it.

 

I think I read 75 hp of braking power without the exhaust brake and 175 hp of braking power with the exhaust brake. Very noticeable for sure and even works with the cruise control to keep it at set speed going down hill.

 

I pull a 5800# TT in the Rockies west of Denver and it will hold the set speed very well. Don't have to use the service break at all coming down I-70 into Denver. Wouldn't be without it. Ordered it when I ordered the truck @ $1700 installed.

 

Yeah, it's really nice on a stick shift, too.

$1700 plus installation sounds really high to me to. Last I knew the parts were like $1200.

 

well the jake will slow you down alot more but i would pay 17 plus 5hrs labor thats crazy ever dealer around here is 1350to1500 installed or 350 for just the install you can get some real cheap on ebay mine was 650 or at least go to your local cummins truck shop and price the kit there

 

I've towed 10,000 lbs down a 7% grade with my Pacbrake PRXB exhaust brake and down a 5% grade without the exhaust brake.

On the 7% grade I set my speed with the service brakes (55 mph) then took my foot off the pedals. About 2/3rds down the grade I had to hit the accelerator because I was slowing down too much.

On the 5% grade I set my speed with the service brakes (55 mph) then set the cruise control and took my foot off the pedals. With this method the speed slowly increased as I traveled down the mountain. Eventually I had the slow down with the service brakes and start the process again.

Both times I was in tow/haul mode.


DO NOT pay $1700+ labor for the brake. That is just rediculous. I paid less than $1100 for my Pacbrake (bought from Lary here at the DTR store) and installed it in my driveway. Others have paid less than $700 for their Jacobs exhaust brake and installed it themselves also. You can easily save yourself $800-$1000 by buying it yourself and having a shop install it, and even save more if you install it yourself. I had my Pacbrake done in about 4 hours and I'm not a good mechanic.

carharttfarmer can tell you where to get the best price for the Jacobs. Lary had the best price I could find for the Pacbrake PRXB. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the replies. I got the responses that I was expecting. Looks like I will have to find the money for the e-brake.

I pull about 10k lbs. mostly in the mountains and foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Most of my pulling is done with my 95 now but I should be changing over to the 06 soon.

As for the price, don't forget that I am in Canada so the numbers are a little higher. The quote that I got from the dealer was just for a ball park figure to give me a starting point to work from. In hindsight the e-brake would have went on at the dealer before I picked the truck up.

 

HL, I called Pac Brake in Surrey for a price on the PRXB, it was still cheaper for me to order the kit through Larry, have it delivered to a friend just over the line, and pay PST and GST when I go get it.
From what I've heard the PRXB is better than the Jacobs...