2006 Diesel Exhaust Brake

What did you do?

I paid about $1k or less for my brand new one, could have been $850. Installed myself with little issues, the hardest part was fishing the wire through the firewall..

I have used it a lot with no issues.

Diesel Camper,
I didn't know you participated here but I enjoyed your in engine in truck rebuild video a while back.

Gulfcoast wrote:
I just bought a clean 2006 Dodge 2500 with a 5.9 diesel.

I really want an exhaust brake on it, but I simply can't afford another $2000 right at this time.

Is there anywhere to buy a used one?

Any tips to save some $$$?

Thanks

Wish I would have seen this earlier! Your 06 can run an exhaust brake from the factory ecm with no aftermarket controller necessary. All you need is the pacbrake (brake only kit) and an air compressor setup.

Then all you have to do is follow these directions:
Pacbrake Instructions

For the ecm wiring you need 2 of the Cummins pigtails (Cummins part number 3164263). Just follow the wiring diagram in the pacbrake instructions and you'll be good to go. The 06-07 ecm has all the parameters needed to run the brake, you just have to plug it into the ecm.

Next step is getting your transmission tuned for towing:

Https://www.mm3tuning.com

I have EFI with turbo brake on my 07 GMC Duramax. With the combo of the Alison tow haul and the turbo brake going down hill I need to keep pedal to it or it'll keep slowing down. Demonstrated to my wife yesterday on steep incline of 1/4-3/8 mi. Started at the top doing 45 by the bottom we were down to 20. This was empty

I have a 2004.5 Ram, second owner, and I lucked out, as it came with a PacBrake. We love it, wouldn't really care to tow without one!

I also have a 2006 3500 auto 4x4 with 93,000 miles. I bought a new fifth wheel RV weighing anywhere from 14,000 to 16,000 lbs.
The truck pulled it fine, but stopping was scary! I had a new PACBRAKE installed because an added benefit was having an air chuck on board with 130psi of air pressure. Pacbrake also gives you air hose, chucks, etc. to help you with a flat tire. Because of the increased compression I also had the head studded. The only remaining weak link is the flex-plate, and when things allow I am replacing it with a BILLET flex-plate. In summation I should have done this many years ago. I can't believe how the truck with or without the RV stops now, its incredible!
I know this does not answer your question, just know that this PACBRAKE is fantastic. Its worth your money!!!!

They pop up time to time used on Craigslist. Just never at the right time....at least for me when I added one to the 07.

PacBrake needs air pressure to activate. If you already have on-board air for bags, you could possibly save some money on a compressor and holding tank.

Don't buy an early Banks unit used for the 48RE transmission unless you do a lot of research. They had two versions based on transmission electronics and a throttle position sensor. Their on-line information didn't delineate at all.

My Pacbrake was around $2k installed and worth every penny. PacBrake does run promotions which I took advantage of, $250 as I recall.

Back when I bought it for my 03, the Cummins dealers were SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive than a Dodge dealer. I don't remember what I spent on it, but was worth it for towing heavier loads.

Look on the TDR classifieds.