What is the scoop with e-brakes and auto trannies? Most references talk about e-brakes and manuals only.

 

An exhaust brake will not work well with a stock automatic.
This is because the exhaust brake holds back engine rpms but the torque converter allows slippage and will not hold back the truck.
The end result is that the truck will continue to build speed (and heat in the transmission).

There are ways around this by locking up the torque converter. Commonly, this is referred to as a "Mystery Switch".
Depending on the year of your truck, there are wires you tap into that will force the torque converter to stay locked up.
There are also manufacturers that provide after market setups (such as Emjay) that allow you more control over your transmission and (I believe) also allows the torque converter to stay locked up.
However, if your pulling large and/or heavy loads, the stock auto tranny will wear out very quickly when using a mystery switch and exhaust brake to hold back heavy loads.

The best way to do this is to have a tranny built by some place such as ATS or DTT. These built up trannys can put up to a lot more abuse than a tranny in stock form.

Rich.

 

NC Mog,<br><br>Since you have an 03 with an HO engine and an auto, you must have a 48re tranny right? <br><br>Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought one of the major differences in the new 48re was that they were supposed to be able to work with an exhaust brake. I thought you could have the dealer install a Jacobs brake on them. (Although I'm not sure Jacobs has released the new one yet.)

 

[quote author=thecatsfan link=board=7;threadid=16127;start=0#151561 date=1056128390]<br>NC Mog,<br><br>Since you have an 03 with an HO engine and an auto, you must have a 48re tranny right? <br><br>Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought one of the major differences in the new 48re was that they were supposed to be able to work with an exhaust brake. I thought you could have the dealer install a Jacobs brake on them. (Although I'm not sure Jacobs has released the new one yet.)<br>[/quote]<br><br>That would be correct but Dodge has not approved it yet.

 

NC_mog,<br> I've got the Pacbrake but I also have a DTT tranny and a BD auto lockup controler. The combo works excellent and I have a lot of holding power. I'm not sure about the 2003's, but if there is a will, there will be a way. <br> Big dawg

 

DTT has a Smart Controler that works well to at keeping TC locked even works in 2 nd gear with their trans.