Ok guys, this mod is for those who like me run their exhaust brake all the time. I got tired of having to hit the button to turn it on everytime I started the truck. This mod will make your exhaust brake turn on automatically when you start the truck and will keep the function of the button so you can turn it off if you want to. Here is a parts list and step by step instructions to help you do this mod.

Parts Needed:
1) SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) Relay. Autozone PN: 012861
1) 15 ohm resistor Radio Shack PN 2711102
3) 16 gauge female spade terminals
4) 16 gauge slide taps
4) 6 inch sections of 16 gauge wire
Heat Shrink

Directions:

1- Remove Bezel surrounding radio, this can be done by grabbing outer lip of the left side of bezel and pulling hard (dont worry, it will come, you just have to pull hard) Some trucks i've been told have 2 screws up under the dash above the cup holders you need to remove. Neither of the 2 megacabs I have owned had screws that needed to be removed.



2- install 16 gauge female spade terminals on 1 end of 3 of your 6inch sections of wire. (you'll have 3 pieces of wire with 1 bare end and 1 end with a spade terminal)

3- solder (1) 15 ohm resistor to pin 87A on relay and then solder the last section of 16 gauge wire (the one without a female spade terminal on it) to the other end of resistor. I used some heat shrink to cover up the relay terminal I soldered to and to cover up the resistor.

4- Tap 1 piece of wire from the Pink/Yellow wire on the cigar lighter (left side of bezel) and connect end with female spade terminal to pin 85 on the relay.



5- Tap 1 piece of wire from the Black/Yellow wire on the cigar lighter and connect end with female spade terminal to pin 86 on the relay.

6- Tap 1 piece of wire from the Violet/Brown wire on the Exhaust Brake and connect end with female spade terminal to pin 30 on the relay.


7- Tap the wire that you soldered to the resistor and to pin 87A into the Brown/Orange wire on the Exhaust Brake.

This is what my relay looked like after everything was connected:


8- Tuck your relay into one of the holes behind the Exhaust Brake Switch and re-install the bezel.

 

Very nice. That is something that I have always hoped was possible, the way it should be factory. This will be on my list of things to do.

 

Way would you want this? I could see this if you had a Trailer hooked all the time. But just to drive with out anything hooked up I just dont see this being a good thing. But hey what do I know

 

Its better for the 6.7s to run with the EB on, it helps prevent the soot build up in the turbo that has been causing lots of problems. Plus it also will help extend the life of your brakes.

 

Sweet write up!

 

The exhaust brake is not just for towing and trailers. Actually, it is a very good thing to have on and unless you're driving on ice or something it should be on all the time.

 

Thanks for the great write up.
I have asked my dealership for this several times, with no results. Seems like they could do it with a flash.....But now i can do it myself.
Lee

 

This sounds great. I just bought everything yesterday and will porbaly do this mod when i get a chance here soon. thanks for the info and part numbers that helped out alot.

 

Slightly off topic, but anyone who runs the EB all the time do UOA?

I ran my EB all the time on my last oil and was at 2.5% soot after 10K miles, this change I am running it sparingly and am only at .6% at 8K miles...

 

You're not driving a 6.7, running the EB all the time helps prevent unwanted trips to the dealership for turbo cleaning

 

I am having a hard time getting my autozone to find this relay.
1) SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) Relay. Autozone PN: 012861

What application would it be for? Maybe they will have a better time finding it that way.

I did find one at radio shack, but it is rated at 1 amp. Since this only triggering another relay(iirc), would 1 amp be okay?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062481
Lee

 

Its a very common relay used on lots of vehicles, Try this:
19272 Duralast Accessory Relay

If you have O'reillys nearby, you can use this part# r3177

 

Will this cause my truck to catch fire

 

Probably since you don't even have an exhaust brake Get back to work Leeroy, don't you have some ice to bag or something.

 

Now we just need one of these mods for tow/haul mode.