Need an Exhaust brake for my '06 with manual trans.

Questions:

Which is lowest cost?

What is the most relaible actuating system? Vacuum, air, electric?

Which one has the most mid and upper rpm retarding hp?

Is turbo mount best? Or inline?

How hard to install?

Thanks for replies!


I had Pacbrake on a '96 12 valve and loved it. Miss it bad, especially in East Tennessee....

 

I installed a Pacbrake PRXB on my truck last month and couldn't be happier!

One installation hiccup I had, was breaking the front V-Band tightening bolt. That little clamp is expensive from the dealer, and that was my best option on a Saturday afternoon! The local Cummins Shop (still ~100 miles from me) doesn't have weekend hours, so a "parts callout" is a minimum of $75.00, and they may not have what I need anyway. The dealer (also ~100 miles away) was the only one for 500 miles open past noon on a Saturday, and actually dis-assembled a new turbo to get me the clamp! I am using them for parts now, as they know what "customer service" means! The other hiccup I had was the inlet fitting on the Pacbrake compressor (black machined disk "glued" or "pressed" into the underside of the compressor body) fell out when I tried to connect the air intake hose. I had to get creative with a professonal superglue and catalyst powder welding product to glue that part back in. Naturally, this happened at about 18:00 the Same Saturday night, and I was supposed to have left for Montana Saturday morning!

I was able to maintain good braking in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming, in many cases without touching the service brakes, even heavily loaded. I stayed behind a semi down a 6.5% grade, at 27mph, without using the truck brakes at all.

Pacbrake advertises 170 braking horsepower, but I don't know how to verify their claim. I do know it really sets you forward in your seat when the brake activates, and the ECM controls the brake and transmission lockup (on my auto)perfectly during downshifts.

ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED!!

 

the bd and the pac have the maximum braking through out the rpm range the Jake and banks is old technology and uses a very high failure rate vacuum pump. i prefer the bd over the banks because of where the compressor mounts. it is out of the way and no heat or vibration on it. on the trucks we have pac's on we went back and moved the compressor to a different location to prevent failures. i prefer the elbow the best. the bd and pac are very easy to install. the jake and banks take longer. you can install a bd or pac in one afternoon by your self with a minimum of tools. mount the switch on the shifter, i actually like a toggle switch over the option shifter switch. i mount it to where the paddle is between my thumb and index finger when i shift. very comfortable but not the prettiest. with a little practice you will get to where you can reduce brake wear considerably. and for cost they are all about the same

 

I've got the Jake on this, and my last truck. I installed it on the 03 myself, and it was pretty straight forward.

There are threads about the vacuum pump going bad, but I've never had a problem.

Cummins may be able to get you the kit cheaper than the dealer, if you go that way.

 

Love my Pacbrake. Had to hit the gas a few times going down a 15mile 6% grade from Shaver Lake to Fresno last week to keep it above 35mph in 3rd gear. Went to 4th gear and only had to hit the brakes about 3 times to hold 55mph the last 5 miles.

Great investment!!

 

I went with the the Jake Brake myself as it gets -40 here in the winter. I've seen first hand what compressors and compressed air does at that temperature. The vacuum pump failures associated with them can be attributed to their poorly designed hose connectors / adapters. I replaced the hose fitting at the solenoid valve and ran one piece of HD 3/8" hose from pump to the solenoid valve.

Check prices at a Cummins shop as they sell them for approx. half the price that Dodge does. Installation was less than a day even with my hose change out and harness redo.. An electric vacuum pump is available as well do a search for it..