Finished installing a PacBrake (non-prxb) and an ATS Co-Pilot. Took 'em for a test drive up I-70 west of Denver. Coming down several miles of 6% grades at highway speeds with an 8500 lb trailer on the back, I didn't even need to use the service brakes. I'm impressed. It worked better that I had expected. I hear other exhaust brakes do even better at lower revs, but, ya know, when I need to give it some fuel just to keep up with traffic on a steep downhill run, I figure I don't need much more. If it handles another 2000 lbs ok, I'm set.

 

When I bought my '03 Dodge one of the things I was going to do first was buy an exhaust brake and then I got a shock. My '03 has the 48RE automatic transmission. NO one makes, unless it has happened recently, an exhaust brake for this model truck with an auto trans. I spoke with PacBrake and they said they were coming out with one but they never did get back with me. Seems the problem is the cable between the engine computer and the transmission computer. I even talked with Banks engineers and they told me there was a weak link due to this cable.

I pull a lot in the mountains (Alaska, Rockies, Smokies, etc.) and would really enjoy saving some brake pads from heating up. I'm not bad on brakes as I changed out the originals at 120,000 miles. But I've sure heated them a few times. If anyone knows of an exhaust for an '03 Dodge diesel with an auto trans please let me know.

El Borrego

 

Yup, love mine. I c my brakes lasting a long long time. the MRS. enjoys towing alot more now

 

El Borrego,

you might want to check again with PacBrake. About 6 months ago, they didn't have one for my 05 auto, but now do, and it is the PRXB one. I checked the web page for your 03, and they mention one for the auto.

 

PacBrake definitely has one for the '05 48re. That's the one year/tranny combo that is a real problem. They should have you covered.

 

Ahhh...Floyd hill! I remember that as a kid when we lived in Idaho Springs. That hill used to scare the bajeezus out of me when it was icy! This was before they put in the high tech guard rails they have now! Then it was a berm that you hoped would stop a vehicle and it didn't several times a year!

Ken

 

I can't wait been something I have wanted and needed for years now but I have the jake brake version coming should be here the day or so before thanksgiving so I hope to put it in the morning before super as I will have two sets of d8 tracks to haul to the scrapper.