??? I have a 2002, 2500 dodge with an automatic. I am planning on pulling a 9000# fifth wheel. My question concerns the exhaust brake. I look on the Cummings web site and they recommend "not" installing an exhaust brake on a diesel with an automatic. What are the options? I do not want to void my warranty, but I do want to be able to stop going down hill.

 

I dont know about your warranty. The information I can provide will have nothing to do with warranty. For that info, you should consult your dealership.

An exhaust brake keeps the engine from gaining rpms. However, on an automatic, the torq converter disengages the connection between the engine an tranny and thus, the low rpms of the engine no longer have an affect to speed.
It can also lead to faster wear on the tranny.
However, there are ways around this. There are things like a "mystry switch" that locks the torq converter up.
This way, its much more like a stick shift than an auto.
(Again, I dont know what affect this will have on your warranty).

Do a search on this site for "Mystry Switch".
If you use the exhuast brake a lot, then you may also want to look at heavier valve springs.
Im not an expert, but I understand that the added back pressure for the exhuast brake can sometimes cause the valves to float or bounce.

Also, this site has also done a review on a controller that allows you to take more controll over your tranny.
It seems to be an excellent idea and product.
Check it out here

Rich.

 

I have an exhaust brake on my auto, but it does require some mods to the tranny. And yes, there goes your transmission warranty, but it really improves the stock transmission. There are different ways to go for the transmission upgrades, I have DTT. My trans has a heavy duty torque converter and valve body, along with the SmartController, all from DTT. I also have the Pacbrake from DTT. DTT is Diesel Transmission Technology. Bill Kondolay is the owner and is very knowledgeable. I found him and his family who run the business very helpful. I used a local installer who is DTT certified. I can give you more specific information if you wish, just PM me.

DeWain

 

Echoing almost verbatim what DPG said. I also tow with an automatic 8500# MT 5ver. For what it's worth, safety is more important to me than warranty. With proper mods, and I emphasize MODS, PacBrake on an automatic works really well. Don't forget to get a Prodigy brake controller however.

 

Now Racer - - you know a Jordan is better than old Prodigy. <br><br>WarAgitatorBob