I'm getting one and it will be the Pac-brake. The Pac has largest butterfly with the greatest stopping power out there. BD has a good brake, but, from what I've heard, it's a re-boxed Pac.

 

I want to get one. I want to get the inline Pac-Brake.

 

I was thinking the same thing, but I was told that the Banks would start braking sooner and would brake harder, but I have also been told that the pac is sturdier..
I guess I will just have to choose one and go...
Decisions, Decisions.....

 

if you plan on upgrading to twins down the road you'll need an inline brake

 

Inline is the way to go!

 

Big Daddy,your best to go with the Pacbrake, they have a PRXB ( pressure regulator inside the exhaust brake) that means it holds the maximum allowable exhaust backpressure of the D-Max (55PSI) down below the RPM range you run your engine at. Plus you get an air compressor, 1/2 gal. air tank and an accessory kit to fill tires. The Pacbrake controller (ECU) reads the vehicle's communication network (Can-Bus) to ensure everything is correct before turning on the exhaust brake, only one I heard of that does that. Buddy has one his 2004.5 D-Max auto, works great, a bit better then the one on my Dodge auto, no problems so far. The bonus we just found out is we can use the Pacbrake air compressor to inflate our air bags, nice option to adjust your air bags when road conditions change. Just my opinion.

 

I've got the Jakob"s on mine. Probably the best investment I've made on the truck. Best thing about the Jake (in my honest opinion) is it's a Mopar/Cummins part and is fully integrated into your truck's ECM. Having never installed one before, it took me a little over 5 hours to install mine in the driveway. That was 85,000 miles ago. Still on my original brakes and have never had a moment's problem with any part of the Jake Brake system, including the vacuum pump. When pulling my 8000 lb 5er through the Rockys, it will hold the rig at 35 mph in 4th gear on a 8% grade all day long without ever touching the service brakes.

 

I just changed my original rear brakes at 185,000 miles.

 

I have an older version of the Pac Brake. I had it installed by the dealer the day I bought the truck. Works great when you hit black ice.

I use mine all the time, loaded or unloaded and I'd have to say it is a must if your going to do any towing at all. I rarely have to touch the brakes while driving even down hill.

The two main differences I have seen is in how it's actuated and how it's controlled. From what I have read, the air operated models (Pac Brake) are more reliable that the Vaccum operated (Mopar, BD, Banks). I have heard bad things about vaccum canisters leaking or having to mount a vaccum pump on the engine.

I removed the original air compressor that came with mine and upgraded to a continuous duty compressor and a 2.5 gallon tank for running other stuff.

The second difference is in how it's controlled. Mine is just tied into the ECU and uses the throttle position to actuate from. That signal runs a relay that activates the solenoid that turns the air on and off. On automatic trany versions, you need to tap into the ECU for more control. The newer PXRB Pac Brake version has the best of both IMHO.

BullDog Dave
05 Dodge 3500 4x4, LB, Quad Cab, Pac Brake, Banks Stuff, more to come.

 

I want to get one. I have been using Tow/Haul mode a lot more to help slow down. Might as well do it right.