Perhaps it is not polite to ask about experience with specific products, but here goes.

Anyone want to share their experience with the use of any of these three exhaust brakes? I am ordering a 2004.5 with six-speed manual shift and want an exhaust brake.

Thanks for any help you might give.

jr

 

I put the Jacobs on and it works great, money well spent.

Not sure how the other work but make sure the replace the factory elbow so it is all close to the turbo as possible, I know some just splice into the exhaust pipe.

And also with the Jacobs is plugs into the Cummin computer so it is tied to trottle position and engine temp and speed. Again I don't know how the others are activated.

Oh ya the Jacobs comes with a nice pull switch that clamps to the shifter, like a 2 speed switch.

 

I agree with the Mudder. I have had a Jacobs on mine for almost a year and pull a heavy fiver. Well made, well designed and you can install it yourself with the excellent instructions. Also no one will ever question your exhaust brake in the event of an engine warrantee claim. Would do it again.

Casey

 

Thanks for the replies on the Jacobs. I had thought of the warranty issue and appreciate you confirming the idea.

I like the stick shift switch idea.

jr

 

JR,
Take a peak at my member photos, page ten, FiverBob's White Ghost. You will see a pic of the switch setup. I luv my Jacobs brake - - works super in the mountains when pulling a big fiver.

 

I prefer the Jacobs brake you can use it for warm up or you do not have to. some neighbors don't like the noise. I may be wrong but as I understand it with the Pac brake it comes on automaticly if you water temp is below 125 degrees F.
Jim O

 

[quote author=commando link=board=20;threadid=23773;start=0#msg224040 date=1071535917]
I just installed the Banks brake. I'm very pleased with it. It is also computer controlled.

Unlike previous years this is a remote mount e-brake (mounts behind the turbo outlet pipe, above the transmission crossmember). I prefer this set-up. Read the US Gear site http://www.usgear.com/alert.htm and see why they recommend remote mount brakes versus the turbo elbow version. To me the biggest advantage is distance from the heat of the turbocharger. There is also a theoretical improvement in exhaust flow (again read the US Gear site site). Disadvantage is more exposure to the elements.

It is air activated and engages quickly. There is smooth, powerful braking. The cruise control does not function when the brake is engaged. The brake does not function below 15 mph. The brake engages automatically to warm the engine at idle, if coolant temp is below 125 F, even if the brake is switched off.

Installation was straight forward with excellent instructions and materials.

Vehicle warranty is not an issue.
[/quote]


A couple of problems with that mounting is that their are more connection forward of the brake that have the possibility of leaks, and their is more air so compress in the system before you get full braking effect. Personally I would worry about the heat part of it, when the brake is on you are off the gas and their is no real great amount of heat their, and since that is where it is designed to be I am sure their have the right material in it.

 

In my reading, I'm picking up consistent remarks around the following (note I said consistent, not authoritative).

1. people usually like the brake they have and usually do not have comparative experience with more than one.

2. If mfg warranty is important, and you prefer to remove all doubt, avoid all questions, and keep your truck absolutely stock, then there is really only one choice: Jacobs

3. The way it's looking to me, the only credible arguments against the jacobs for stock trucks is that it requries a non-standard accessory belt to run an outboard vacuum pump. So you have an additional accessory on the engine, and (so the story goes) if the pump siezes you are stranded. But those problems can be solved by carrying a spare std belt -- so you could in an emergency put the truck back to "no brake" condition. The other brakes (BD, Pac, Banks, etc.) are operated by compressed air. If the air fails, the brake just doesn't work and the engine is untouched.

4. The only credible argument in favor of an inline (not turbo mounted brake) apply to bombed trucks that plan to upgrade the turbocharger (a turbo-mounted brake would no longer fit).

5. BD claims to have the most low-rpm braking power, and a real 4" (as upposed to a 3.5&quot brake (the butterfly itself is inside a 4" diameter tube). Jacobs may as well, I don't know.

6. The way I see it, the only credible argument against Jacobs (say, BD or Pac or Banks) is in the case where you prefer on board air under the hood. These brakes work on air pressure (instead of the Jacob's vacuum systems) and rely on electric pumps and (optionally) a pressurized tank. Guys that put these (and the tanks) in have enough air to fill tires (like if you pop a bead loose while offroad, which I have done), and/or to power air horns.

7. from what I'm reading, the pac, BD, and Jacobs seem to be the most consistently praised. I think if I were going outside of the warranty, and wanted on board air, I think I'd go BD. The pac enjoys a very good reputation too.

8. Other than the hassle avoided by the jacobs, putting on an BD or other air-operated brake isnt going to present any real warranty issues. The brakes are warranted by their mfgs, and of course the brake has to be shown to have caused an engine failure to get you a denial (a hassle you may choose to avoid). In all the active forums I've been reading/participating in for 2 years, not one after market brake has been the cause of a denial of warranty claims.

9. On the technical side, Indeed, I wouldn't dream of putting on an accessory vacuum pump and non-standard belt without warranty protection. But the compressed air operated ones work well, are reliable, don't break engines, and people like them. Even though BD and others are not Dodge, they are exposed to liabillity when they sell an exhaust brake to rv'ers.

 

[quote author=commando link=board=20;threadid=23773;start=0#msg224040 date=1071535917]
I just installed the Banks brake...Unlike previous years this is a remote mount e-brake (mounts behind the turbo outlet pipe, above the transmission crossmember).[/quote]

Commando,

Thanks for the input. I am a little puzzled. If I understand you correctly you are saying that the Banks mounts downstream from the turbo. On the Banks Web site under 'Dodge' I found this in the FAQs

"Bolts directly to turbo with standard tools"

One explanation my be that there has been a change and their Web site has not been updated. The Web site also stated that EB were available for Dodge '98-'02. I called them and was told that they probably had just not updated the Web site. I am left wondering why they had not updated the information for two model years.

I was also surprised that the tech support person I spoke with was not aware that there was a Dodge 2004.5 with upgraded engine.

jr

 

Doug,

Thanks for the usual comprehensive and thought provoking input.

jr

 

One thing I would like to add to Doug:

While yes you can use the air compressor to air tires it is a very slow process unless you have a large, say 5 gallon, air tank. Most all of these compressor are high pressure but very low volume.

I run into the same thing in the off-road world, people use the electric compressor or the ARB compressor to air tires up and it is very slow. And this is just about no way you would put a tire back on the bead with one, unless you have the big air tank. On my off-road truck I run a converted A/C pump into a 7 gallon tank and it is much faster then the electics, and the one people want to use when they pop a bead.

But if you need it, it is for sure better then having nothing at all. Also I would imagine that the exhaust brake comperssors are limited to what pressure the piston will take. Like the ARB compressor in my off-roader is about 60 psi I believe. That is another reason I went the A/C compressor route, I can crank that baby up to 150 psi or so ;D

But like you said I think anyone would be happy with any of the big names out their, I have never heard of any problems with any of them.

 

I got a Jacobs and love it. The biggest selling point was that Dodge offfered a dicount to those who wanted a "Jake" brake under their commercial sales. Most dealers don't know or don't tell you this. Check out the Dodge site and you should find out about commercial incentives...like a FREE truck/tool box! I told my dealer that my brother owns a business and I do the hauling for him. This is true but they never asked for proof. The dealer must contact Dodge and they will give the dealer a discount code to input upon puchase of new truck. Now a new "Jake" brake goes for about $1200 through the dealer but with the discount you only pay about $600 installed! Not a bad deal. Since you are buying a commercial truck, ie 2500 or 3500, who are they to say what you use it for. I'd go with the Jacobs because it falls under the dealer warranty, is a great product & is best priced in conjunction with the factory commercial discount. Good Luck, Junior

 

[quote author=Original Junior link=board=20;threadid=23773;start=0#msg224714 date=1071621946]
The biggest selling point was that Dodge offfered a dicount to those who wanted a "Jake" brake under their commercial sales. Most dealers don't know or don't tell you this. Check out the Dodge site and you should find out about commercial incentives...like a FREE truck/tool box! [/quote]

Thanks Junior,

Since I have a business license the dealer gave me the 'On The Job' brochure. You got a very good deal it seems. The brochure I have states concerning the exhaust brake, "...you pay $825 plus a portion of installation charges."

jr

 

Hmmm...thought the us gear article made sense, but then I am easily fooled... ???

Doug as usual had some great comments.

Banks usually gets bashed hard around here but the stuff I put on my Ford was well engineered, worked better than advertised and as it was my first diesel project I felt comfortable with their reputation.

I have wondered about putting such a restriction at the outlet of the turbo but I think a restriction anywhere in the system has the same net effect so I guess it might come down to turbulence.

Waiting patiently for the smart dudes to come out swinging...