compression brakes

[Rjjtchevy]

why don't the big three use compression brakes in their diesels? is it because it is a noise issue? No need for it?

[dozerboy]

cost??? who knows

[SimpleGreen]

Im no diesel genius, but I doubt the big three have seen enough reason to put 'Jake brakes' in their engines. With aftermarket exhaust brakes, the truck brakes, and electric trailer brakes, I guess they figure the braking side of things is covered.

[HemiHunter]

Dodge offers one as an option on the Cummins. pricey, but worth if it's loaded a lot

[97Silverado]

GCWR is less than what requires a "jake" brake.

[BC Rod and Custom]

Originally Posted by 97Silverado

GCWR is less than what requires a "jake" brake.

And I'd venture a guess that 50% of the people who own these trucks don't even tow half of that.

[duratothemax]

not cost effective to put on a light duty truck. Its not needed either, especially with the Allison's grade braking and tow-friendly features. Noise restrictions, complications in engine design....many many reasons its just not feasible in a light duty truck. As far as I know Dodge does not offer an engine brake on the Cummins. An exhaust brake MAYBE, but thats not an engine brake.

[Rjjtchevy]

Well I guess it's good that they don't offer these in The aftermarket, Cause I am pretty sure guy's would be cruising around using them during the middle of the night.

[LostBoy]

It isn't always completely pointless, but where you live can even play a lot into the need. Here in Colorado, its not hard to heat service brakes up in a hurry through mountains on steep grades. They're still not strictly necessary even in that situation if you remain within GCWR, but buying an exhaust brake once is a lot cheaper than buying service brakes over and over...

Cummins does offer an exhaust brake on the later models - I think 05+ - made by Jacobs IIRC

All in all & like anything else with an OEM it wouldn't be cost-effective for them to do it, especially considering the percentage of people that would actually ever need one or use one if it came with the truck.

[GetMore]

I think it is mostly cost, but there could be an emissions issue involved.

I don't know what is considered a compression brake. I know there is the "Jake brake", which I think is the compression brake. This releases the exhaust valves at the top of the compression stroke, making the engine a big, noisy air compressor. Noise regulations would keep this from being installed on an average-consumer level vehicle.

Exhaust brakes are becoming common on medium duty trucks. They are quiet and still provide braking power. All they are is a butterfly in the exhaust that causes backpressure.

I think the other reason that engine retarders aren't placed in light duty trucks is because you have to get used to them. When you let off the throttle they activate, so you can't coast. You need to learn to keep a light foot on the throttle, and not lift too much to keep from activating it. The average person would complain about it and the reduced mileage they get from not being able to coast. Of course you can switch it off, but that just causes it's own list of complaints. Plus, it could possibly lead to a loss of control on slippery surfaces when the truck is unloaded, due to the braking at the rear wheels.

For the people that know what they are doing it is a good thing to have, but the Big Three have to look at the idiots that are out there when they decide to do this or not. Leaving it to you and the aftermarket takes the blame off them.

[LostBoy]

Higher performance = higher maintenance. OEM's have to find a middle ground between performance & durability. If you're going to go to the expense and effort of modifying, you're likely more in-tune w/ your vehicle than the average driver, meaning you'll probably maintain it better. They have to assume most people are totally ignorant when it comes to their vehicles in general, much less how to take care of it, and that they'll likely slack.