Pacbrake install questions
 

Hello, Have been searching for several days concerning the good/bad of the different types of exhaust brakes. I have a 2005 with the 48re and want to be safe while pulling our fifthwheel. I have looked at the four main manaufures of exhaust brakes and had about decided on the Banks. After spending considerable time reading this forum, I am again taking a hard look at the PAC brake. A few of the questions that I have for those who have used this brake. Have you had any change in mileage (one manufacture claims that the Pac is very restrictive). Do they have good instructions, especially on the electrical side? Would the compressor mount under the truck instead of the engine compartment? Is it worth the extra expence to install a larger air tank? I was surprised that I found few that are using the Banks brake. Is there that much difference between the two?

Sorry about so many questions, but would like to have one on the truck before Christmas.

Bob

Pac is head and shoulders above the Banks units, I use one myself and swear by it. You really do not need the larger tank unless you are running air horns. I don't know why anyone thinks a Pac hurts your fuel mileage? when it is off the valve is wide open.

I sell a LOT of the Pac units and everybody loves them, Hard to beat them :)

I run the PacBrake, mine is in-line not the turbo elbow mount that is traditionally supplied. I have twin turbos and wanted the brake a little away from the congested area of the twin turbos.

All the brakes have a valve that closes to restrict the exhaust, they are all about the same size when it comes to their builds. When open the restriction is minimal, air flows around the butterfly valve.

My fuel mileage did not change when I installed the brake, nothing changed outside of the function being added, and I must say that I would never run a truck towing again without it, it is so nice to have the brake function assisting with the control of braking.

The instructions that Pac supplies are excellent, the electrical side of the install is really not difficult at all, nor is the air install side. I did mine in 3 steps, I generally routed the wire harness to see how it would lay with other wire harnesses and structural tie down points. Then I installed all the structural stuff that permanently mounts in place. I hooked up all the wiring and then did all the tubing for the air connections. Where air lines ran in more exposed areas I put that flexible plastic corrugated loom over them.

I have the small tank that came with my brake set up exclusively for the brake, then out of that tank I have a line with a check valve going to a second tank for my other air accessories. If I were to experience a problem with an accessory it would not affect the air to the brake. You can mount the compressor just about anywhere, but, if you do change the location to other than recommended, be prepared to have to lengthen the wiring harness if your install point is further away than the harness will reach.



CD

X2

The pac itself does not reduce miealge due to any air restriction, valve is wide open. I find that I leave mine on all the time though because i like the braking. Conceptually, that may reduce fuel miealge because you are not able to coast. That is, when you let off the fuel, the brake starts slowing you down. A flip of the switch stops that though.
I did not go with the banks because I understand it is a vacuum based system that has been known to have issues, but a banks owner should chime in on that. The pac is very effective and has made pulling my 42 foot fifth wheel much easier with a dramatic reduction in break pad wear.

I did not put in a larger tank, never have any air supply issues. I am planning to install air horns at some point and I think it will work for me. Not needing long blasts, just one or 2 sharp blasts which I expect will work.

I mounted my pump on the engine, but I have talked to a few folks who have mounted it elsewhere. I think the key is to keep it away from moisture as much as possible. Heat doesnt seem to bother it as much as I thought it might.

Great having an onboard air system. I have used the air assessory line a few times, have horns waiting to go in, and have a controller for my airbags waiting for a warm day to be installed.

I have no regrets and would highly recommend the pac brake.

Pacs website has instal manual on line. Link to the standard stock turbo mount is here:

http://www.pacbrake.com/PDF/L2032.PDF

Like CD_in_NM I went with the inline rather than turbo mount to give me the option of twins down the road.

Hardest part was getting everything tight in front of the brake to avoid leaks. I welded joints on mine after the facory v clamp.

Never any problems with mine and no noticeable decrease in fuel consumption. I used a different compressor (100% duty cycle Viair) and have it mounted behind the rear seat. Also use the air for my air bags and for auxiliary use, such as topping up tires. Carry a long hose in the RV in case I ever need to top up any of the RV tires on the road.

If you do mount the compressor such a long way from the batteries like I did, make sure that feed wire is large enough. I happened to have some 000 welding cable and used that, which is overkill. I made a 100 amp fuse at the battery. Use the same wire to feed my inverter which is also mounted in the back and therefore can safely run the compressor and the inverter simultaneously.

I have one more question that I forgot to add to my post, are the under hood air compressors loud enough to be heard above the normal engine noise? I have bought a small 12volt for airing up my air bags and that thing is loud. I hope the Pac compressor mounted underhood would make less noise. I am leaning towards the Pac brake due to the experiences of the folks on this forum and the fact that there seems to be a far better network of dealers in case of problems down the line.

Bob

You wont hear the compressor with the engine on,you can barely hear it with the engine off.Dont count on that compressor to blow up tires ,its useless for that.I have a 12v about 3-4x the size of the Pac one and it can still barely add air to my tires.Its ok for air bags though.You may or may not want the brake on all the time as it does change how your trans. shifts.The TC will lock up sooner when driving ,so on hills your rpm may be lower for a given speed.I drive with mine on alot,but also turn it off under some conditions,such as being stuck behind some slow poke on a hill,I can gain about 300 rpm with it off.Also I put a switch bracket from Pac on my columb shift.Its the same bracket as the mannual trans. guys use except its drilled on an angle.Jacobs makes a really nice swich for the columb,its like an axle shift selector swicth,but its $295 in Canada where I live.check put the photo of mine.I have no complaints about my brake and Pac Brake service is great.They are made only 20 minutes from my house. https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...t251964p3.html

Got my Pac Brake from Lary almost 3 years ago I think, the compressor it came with is still going strong, no reason to run a bigger tank.
Doesn't effect mileage, whoever told you that was BS'ing you, works great, no regrets.
Use the compressor and tank for my Pac Brake air bags using an AirLift wireless controller which is pretty slick.

forgive me if i am wrong, but a exhaust brake on the 48re is not recommended, until i believe the 2006 model year. standard only,onthe 04.5& 05, unless you have tranny rebuilt to hold the ex. brake

gcssr,

After doing a bit of checking on the web, it looks like you are right about the 48re not being a good match for an exhaust brake in the 2005 truck. I didn't realize that there might be a problem adding an exhaust brake when I ordered the truck. This truck only has 30 thousand miles but I may have to start looking for one of the 2006-2007 models or would it be a good idea to check out the trucks with the 6.7? I really like the milege on the 5.9 but want the safety of an exhaust brake.

Bob

I thought they had a set up for the 03 to 05 trucks. could be wrong. i can tell you as much as i like my pac brake i would never get rid of the truck b/c i could not put one on. there not that great.

I would contact Pac Brake, they sell kits for those years, you might need a controller or something but I can't see how you'd need to do anything major to run a brake.
The service manager at the Surrey BC shop is a good guy and very helpful, can't remember his name though.

yep they make one for the 05 with a auto. part # C44052

http://www.pacbrake.com/application_...auto_guide.php


Joe

I found this, info on the 05 autos and a phone number for more info:
http://www.pacbrake.com/PDF/173.PDF


More literature here:
http://www.pacbrake.com/PDF/