Has anyone ever herd of an exhast brake and if so used one ?
I'm planning on pulling a 37' gn (Hart horse Trailer) with my 04 6L 4x4 and I was told about an exhast brake would work well on this set up. I just havn't herd of this application for this type of truck.

 

Yes, I installed a BD on my 99 a few years back, it's nice when pulling the trailers around.

Here is a link:
BD

 

Also called a jake brake it works great, if you pull in hills you need one IMO.

 

I didnt think that they were called jake brakes in the light duty trucks. I was under the impression that a jake brake had something to do with the valves on a big truck motor. And an exhaust brake (for the light duty trucks) was just a valve that blocked the exhaust. Either way, ive heard that an exhaust brake helps on our trucks, esp with a manual trans.

 

I have been told that the tow/haul mode is pretty effective. Does one have to add an exhaust brake? I realize that may increase braking but is it really necessary if your loads are within the load capacity (GVRW) of the vehicle?

 

Jacobs made the first engine brake (Jake Brake is what they termed it) and you are correct in that it worked on the valves and that it should not be called a Jake brake as that is a brand name but around here it has become like Kleenex, but the principle is the exact same as what pick ups. Jacobson does not make a brake for the PSD they do for Dodge but it is also not on the vlaves.
Because of its unrestricted air intake a diesel has no real engine braking so by closing a valve in the exhaust you create back pressure. There is a problem though! I looked up Jacobs web site to see if they made one for Ford and here is what I found.

FAQ4:

Do you make a product for the Ford 7.3L Powerstroke or Navistar International T444E engines?

ANSWER:

No, Jacobs does not offer an exhaust or engine brake for these engines in fact, Navistar and Ford have requested that we do not develop one for these engines.
The primary concern with putting a retarder on these engines is their use of hydraulic lifters. Most engines with hydraulic lifters have fairly low exhaust back pressure limits so the performance of an exhaust brake would not be substantial. More importantly the use of an exhaust brake on an engine with hydraulic lifters can cause engine damage. The problem is that the increased back pressure resulting from the operation of the exhaust brake will cause some degree of valve float. This valve float can cause the hydraulic lifter to re-set with the valve still open (not seated). This phenomenon is known as lifter jacking. Lifter jacking could also result if a traditional engine brake were used on these engines. The results of lifter jacking can be anything from low positive power (because the valves stay open) to engine damage caused by valve to piston contact.

Just figured I would pass that on, it looks like an exhaust brake might be such a good idea!

 

I have a Banks Exhaust brake on my 1995 F350-7.3PSD. It works great. Bad things is, I waited until this past summer to install it. I have towed my fifth wheel all over the country prior to that and warped rotors during those years. What I spent on replacing rotors would have paid for the Banks Brake.

I have since towed my fifth wheel which makes the combined weight of my truck and trailer over 18000 lbs, from NM to Black Hills in South Dakota and back. Also other places within NM in the northern mountains. It definitely slows things down just like you would want. I don't know if the Banks design does things differently than what a Jacobs design would. All I know is that I have talked to many other folks that have the Banks brake on 7.3PSDs and they love it. I wish I would have installed one when I got my truck in 1995. I now have 221000 miles on my 95-7.3PSD.

 

LoneRacer I tend to agree the the exhaust brake is almost needed in the mountains, heck almost every where. I just saw that info on the Jacobs site and thought I would pass it on. From what it says all brakes would do the same thing. I know many people running them and never heard of any problems though.