what exhaust brakes you guys prefer & why?

I have had the PacBrake PXRB system in my truck for ~6 years. It works flawlessly.
My father has an '06 with the factory Jacobs exhaust brake system and he has already replaced his vacuum pump twice.
If I had an '07 or newer truck I would get the LoadLeash.
Cheers
-Mark

davidaf wrote:
Back when i first bought my truck there wasn't an option available for those with an Auto Trans. Is that still the case? Truck is an 05 5.9 w/ 48RE auto trans. I'm about to go full time and figure the EB would be a nice option.

I have the exact same truck and recently installed a BD exhaust brake. The '05 Dodge is unique in one way and that it needs an electronic controller called "Auto Lock" for the transmission to lock up. The '05 is the only year that requires the Auto Lock and to find out how it works go to BD's website Click here or call the toll free number and talk to them. The exhaust brake works great.

davidaf wrote:

Blanco1 wrote:

davidaf wrote:
Well heck, my buddy Google just found me a local shop that sells/installs and the part number for my year/trans. I see a Pac brake and some cool gauges in my future.

Link?

In Huntington Beach. I'll be calling them this week: www.ocdiesel.com

Don't know anything about the shop but all they do is Diesel. Reviews are hit and miss. If you know of a better shop let me know. I know we are moving further off topic.

Called a few local places. The guys I referenced above will be doing my install next week. Shop in Riverside seemed good too but struck me as very busy. I'm in the middle of my move to full timing so getting the job finished promptly is a bit more important than normal. Been wanting a PacBrake for sometime. Exciting.

Very happy with the BD brake on my truck. Only had it about 6 months so can't comment on longevity. It will hold the truck, camper and a tandem axle 7klb trailer at speed down a 6% grade barely tapping the brakes in 5th gear at 55-60 mph.
In fact I had less brake dust on the wheels after a 2400 mi trip thru a lot of mtns than a normal 2 weeks driving around town.

Somewhat on/off topic but I saw that Pacbrake makes an Engine Brake now for the 6.7L Cummins. That would be the cats meow if I had a 6.7L.

I went with the PacBrake on my 2006 5.9 Cummins for the reason others have, ie. air compressor and tank to use for other things, but mostly because the Jacobs uses a vacuum pump that comes with the kit and a new fan belt to run the pump. I did not want to have a vacuum pump failure as I have read that this happens and fries the fan belt, which would leave you stranded. If the PacBrake air compressor fails, no biggy, just no exhaust brake and i can keep on truckin'. I looked at both systems really hard as to how everything is hooked up and found that both system are identical with the exception of how the air is produce for the air cylinder on the exhaust brake. PacBrake uses the air compressor/tank and the Jacobs uses the vacuum pump that comes with the kit. Now I am not for certain that on your 1997 Dodge Cummins you would need to add the vacuum pump as it might already have one. You would just need the exhaust brake. I would just look into each brand and see what is needed. I hope this helps. FYI I am on my 2nd air compressor from PacBrake. The first one failed after a year because of the duty cycle being too light. Also if you already have an onboard air compressor, PacBrake just sells exhaust brake only kit that has all of the necessary components to connect to your existing system.

I've considered swapping to one of them turbo's & also a Pac system?

Now that should really make a big difference?

JIMNLIN wrote:

-Kevin wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:

bikerdib wrote:
All I can say is I'm very happy with the factory system on my '13 Ram.

FYI you don't have a exhaust brake on your 6.7 Cummins. The 6.7 engine uses the Holset turbo VGT with a sliding nozzle system that acts like a exhaust brake. This system isn't used or can it be adapted to the 5.9 engine.

The OP has a 5.9 Cummins and it requires a actual "exhaust brake".

I had the Jacobs exhaust brake installed by my Dodge dealer as part of the package deal when I bought my current '03 Dodge. It operates from vacuum which requires a mechanical vacuum pump to be added to a much longer serpentine belt. Works great and no issues so far with 220k on truck.

If I had a 5.9 I would get the Pacbrake for two reasons.
1st.... it works from a electric air pump. Add a tank and air pressure can be used for other purposes.
2. All EB have the same max exhaust braking power at max rpm. However due to the way the Pac works it has a bit more braking under 2000 rpm.

I had a BD exhaust brake on a '96 DRW Cummins with the NV4500 tranny. No issues with it.

Sorry to say, but your the one who is wrong. The VG turbo is a actual "exhaust brake", though it does not use a butterfly valve which is really just splitting hairs. Does the function of brake come through the exhaust? yes.
The PAC brake units for the 5.9's provide about 150 retard HP same as the 6.7 VG turbo does. Though people with 6.7's can install the "load leash" from PAC and gain another 150 retard HP for less than $2k

Your reading and comprehension skills need to be sharpened.
First off I never said he was wrong but said and I quote;

"FYI you don't have a exhaust brake on your 6.7 Cummins. The 6.7 engine uses the Holset turbo VGT with a sliding nozzle system that acts like a exhaust brake. "

Now lets keep in mind the OP has a '97 Cummins which the 6.7 Cummins VGT doesn't work on and will have to use a actual exhaust brake.

Thanks for the helpful technical info there, I'm sure everyone learned something from your post.

-Kevin wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:

bikerdib wrote:
All I can say is I'm very happy with the factory system on my '13 Ram.

FYI you don't have a exhaust brake on your 6.7 Cummins. The 6.7 engine uses the Holset turbo VGT with a sliding nozzle system that acts like a exhaust brake. This system isn't used or can it be adapted to the 5.9 engine.

The OP has a 5.9 Cummins and it requires a actual "exhaust brake".

I had the Jacobs exhaust brake installed by my Dodge dealer as part of the package deal when I bought my current '03 Dodge. It operates from vacuum which requires a mechanical vacuum pump to be added to a much longer serpentine belt. Works great and no issues so far with 220k on truck.

If I had a 5.9 I would get the Pacbrake for two reasons.
1st.... it works from a electric air pump. Add a tank and air pressure can be used for other purposes.
2. All EB have the same max exhaust braking power at max rpm. However due to the way the Pac works it has a bit more braking under 2000 rpm.

I had a BD exhaust brake on a '96 DRW Cummins with the NV4500 tranny. No issues with it.

Sorry to say, but your the one who is wrong. The VG turbo is a actual "exhaust brake", though it does not use a butterfly valve which is really just splitting hairs. Does the function of brake come through the exhaust? yes.
The PAC brake units for the 5.9's provide about 150 retard HP same as the 6.7 VG turbo does. Though people with 6.7's can install the "load leash" from PAC and gain another 150 retard HP for less than $2k

Your reading and comprehension skills need to be sharpened.
First off I never said he was wrong but said and I quote;

"FYI you don't have a exhaust brake on your 6.7 Cummins. The 6.7 engine uses the Holset turbo VGT with a sliding nozzle system that acts like a exhaust brake. "

Now lets keep in mind the OP has a '97 Cummins which the 6.7 Cummins VGT doesn't work on and will have to use a actual exhaust brake.

JIMNLIN wrote:

bikerdib wrote:
All I can say is I'm very happy with the factory system on my '13 Ram.

FYI you don't have a exhaust brake on your 6.7 Cummins. The 6.7 engine uses the Holset turbo VGT with a sliding nozzle system that acts like a exhaust brake. This system isn't used or can it be adapted to the 5.9 engine.

The OP has a 5.9 Cummins and it requires a actual "exhaust brake".

I had the Jacobs exhaust brake installed by my Dodge dealer as part of the package deal when I bought my current '03 Dodge. It operates from vacuum which requires a mechanical vacuum pump to be added to a much longer serpentine belt. Works great and no issues so far with 220k on truck.

If I had a 5.9 I would get the Pacbrake for two reasons.
1st.... it works from a electric air pump. Add a tank and air pressure can be used for other purposes.
2. All EB have the same max exhaust braking power at max rpm. However due to the way the Pac works it has a bit more braking under 2000 rpm.

I had a BD exhaust brake on a '96 DRW Cummins with the NV4500 tranny. No issues with it.

Sorry to say, but your the one who is wrong. The VG turbo is a actual "exhaust brake", though it does not use a butterfly valve which is really just splitting hairs. Does the function of brake come through the exhaust? yes.
The PAC brake units for the 5.9's provide about 150 retard HP same as the 6.7 VG turbo does. Though people with 6.7's can install the "load leash" from PAC and gain another 150 retard HP for less than $2k