Which exhaust brake would you recommend

. . .You might also look at a Banks Power SpeedBrake; got one in my 2007 Classic GMC; can set speed you wish to maintain going downhill; also a brake assist!!!

I had a pack brake pxrb on my 03 ram it was ok at best I wasn't wild about the way it came on the converter would unlock if you were to downshift or turn the O/D off and you would have to rev up the motor to re lock the converter.I hated the way it made the truck shift with the pack brake turned on I think it would shift with the converter locked up. In my opinion it was bass ackwards. You should check out the pack brake pxrb that ats does the electronics for on their website. I have also heard they (pack brake) have one out that hooks to the heads like a real jake don't have any more info.

Never tried it on a CTD but did put a Banks on a 2000 PSD. Also had to use the trans command, but was really happy with it. One BIG plus I found was the fact that it never had to be recalibrated or cleaned. It was very responsive, could be turned on and off with a toggle switch mounted on the dash and came on automatically to assist in warm up. The trans command was great, could really tell a difference when towing. Another neat thing I put on it was a turbo saver. This kept the engine idling, with the key out of the switch and in my pocket, until the turbo hit 400 degrees at which point it shut off.

wborst wrote:
I have a 2005 Dodge 2500 CTD with automatic transmission. I would like to add an exhaust brake soon. Which brand would you recommend and why?

Thanks.

PacBrake does have an exhaust brake that is compatible with your MY truck. It costs about $1700 because it comes with a transmission controller module that you abo****ely have to use if you don't want to nuke the transmission. Jacobs does not offer a product for the 2004.5 & 2005 Rams with the 48RE tranny. Not sure if BD does or not.

If your truck was just one MY newer, you wouldn't even have to pose the question.....

I had a BD Exhaust Brake in my '94 5.9. Flawless for 14 years. You will enjoy having an EB.

I have a Pacbrake PRXB, on my 01 with a 5 speed, the PRXB will be effective at a much lower RPM than the Jacobs, or BD. I tow an 11,000# 5er in the Oregon Coast range a lot, having the Pacbrake PRXB, means never having to use the service brakes on the down hills. No Pacbrake is not cheap, but they work great!
Pacbrake PRXB

Had a BD for a few months and about 5000 hauling/towing miles and it has been flawless.
You have add'l considerations with the auto and TC lockup, but IMO BD Brakes are good.

I have a Jacobs in my '03 but it came as part of the new truck deal for 395 bucks and a warranty from Dodge. Its been flawless for over 218k miles. The Jacobs operates from a mechanical vacuum pump that has to be added inline and a long long serpentine belt.
I've had zero issues with this unit.

However if I had a used Dodge/Cummins I would get the Pacbrake as it operates from air pressure from a remote electric air compressor. The air pump can be used for other things.
Remember max braking performance comes at max rpms however the Pac has a bit more power in the lower rpm ranges.

B-D is another good exhaust brake for the Cummins.

The '05 and earlier Dodge/Cummins auto trannies need updating to be exhaust brake compatible. Check with your exhaust brake supplier as they will have the tech facts. If you have the 6 speed manual your in business.

I installed the PacBrake in my '97. Selected by reputation, customer service when I called them to ask about fit and application. Couldn't be happier.