I want to install an engine brake on my 06, but, with so many out there, I don't know which one to get. I know Jacobs has been around a while. I would appreciate some input on the various kinds from you guys. Thanks. waytogo
I installed a PacBrake in my 2006. It was an easy install, does the job, I highly recommend it. Hardly ever touch my service brakes, works with the cruise control, just LOVE IT!!! The air tank has come in handy too. I have my Firestone Ride Rites plumbed off the tank to a PacBrake dual in-cab control.
I just installed the BD brake and I love it. I have the ride rite air bags and an air 5th wheel hitch so I will be using the one compressor to fill them all. I am not sure about posting other sites on here but I am gonna try anyway. I asked the same question on the cummins forum and here is the thread. It was pretty informative. http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/towing-hauling/32604-bd-vs-pacbrake-exhaust-brake.html Chris
I have used a BD Diesel exhaust brake on my buddies 03 Cummins. I asked folks on this site as to which one to recommend him as well. Most folks, at the time, were recommending the BD Diesel brake. LT.
Go with the BD. The Jacobs was a good brake up until 2003. Now, its not that the brake sucks, but the fact that its vacuum operated. Previous trucks had a vacuum pump mounted to the power steering pump, and the brake used that for supply. After 03, Dodge stopped using vacuum for HVAC controls and such, so there is no vacuum available. So, Jacobs installs a belt driven vacuum pump and changes out the factory belt. So, now you have a non factory serpentine belt and an extra draw on the motor. When the pump seizes up, which they tend to do, it shreds the belt and you loose the brake. So, after going through this on my personal 2003 dually and a few customer trucks, I HIGHLY recommend the BD brake, which is controlled by the Cummins ECM and uses a compressor mounted cleanly inside the passenger fender.
I've got a Banks brake on mine.Have no complaints with it at all. I highly recommend it.I pulled this 38ft 5th wheel through the Rockies,hardly ever touched the service brakes.
Problem with the Banks brake is that the elbow is necked down to 3 1/4" while the BD Diesel brake is at 3 3/4". Now Banks is all about air flow, so says Gale Banks, then why is the brake necked down so much? This does not flow all the air. Check out this site http://www.dieselperformance.com/productGraph/bd_banksAD.jpg It should tell you somethings that you may be interested in. LT.
Well dont know about that.Everybody claims there's is better than someone elses.All I know is I'm happy with mine,it works as advertised.I really dont buy the less effective at altitude thing.If thats true then they all will be.I've had mine as high as 11,000 here in Colorado,never noticed any difference in stopping power.
Maybe I was not making myself clear. The Banks brake does work well. Maybe even better than the others due to its small elbow. If you were to restrict the air flow out of the engine by making it pass through a 3 1/4" opening then you may make the brake more effective. All that I was trying to say is that the Banks brake restricts the exhaust flow because of the small opening. By making the exhaust flow through the Banks brake they are costing us on some horsepower. I was not trying to bash on the Banks brake only on its restrictive nature when it comes to horsepower. Sorry about the misunderstanding. LT.
I've got the pacbrake on mine and it works like a champ. Coming down some pretty steep (IE: ice house road leaving the Rubicon) roads towing about 9k-10k pounds I hardly have to use my service brakes or even downshift. I can't imagine towing heavy in the mountains without one.