Good evening gentleman, this is my first post here.
The lease on my truck is up in exactly one month, one of the trucks I am looking at is a fully loaded 2007 Classic Silverado 3500 4x4 crew cab dually c/w Dmax and Allison.
Couple of questions. I am addicted to my jake brake, it offers unbelieveable stopping power when I am loaded up (13,000 lbs.) Does the Duramax turbo offer any type of braking power? I know the Allison offers braking, but I can't see it being the same as an exhaust brake. For my second question, anyone here carrying big weight on their duallys?
I would guestimate my camper, my beer and my family on the Chevy would weigh approx. 12,500 lbs.:rolleyes:

You can't compare the Jake Brake to what the D/A does but it's not too far off. It's apples to oranges. But....I pull the 16K lb 5er in our sig through the mountains with no complaints. I've driven trucks w/Jakes in the past and the D/A does just fine.

You can't compare the Jake Brake to what the D/A does but it's not too far off. It's apples to oranges. But....I pull the 16K lb 5er in our sig through the mountains with no complaints. I've driven trucks w/Jakes in the past and the D/A does just fine.

I agree. While the Alli is not the same, there are add ons. I used to have a 37' class A that had a JB and loved it. I now pull a 37' 5er and I don't have a JB and it does fine. Enjoy your ride.

You can always get a banks jake add on.

Hey Collin...welcome to the diesel place!!!

I carry big weight in the bed. I have a Lance 1161 truck bed camper that weighs in near 5K pounds ready to go camping. It puts my rear axle weight at 9388. And I have to tell you, the truck handles it wonderfully! I did add the Load Leveler II system to the rear axle to steady the load as it becomes very top heavy. But I only pre-load the bags with 30 pounds, which puts them at 75-80 psi loaded. But even with out the bags aired up, it still sits level.

Then...I tow a 7000 pound boat and trailer behind that. It's a hauler, no doubt about it. And the really fun part is tackling the hills without a problem.

I can tell you this though...the grade braking works well in the Allison. But it will not work near as well as your Jake did. Mine has actually scared me a time or two by shifting down too far and near over-revving on some of the bigger grades in eastern TN and KY.

On Edit: You can see a pic here (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=403&d=1136693290)!

Collin...
I just used my new Classic Dually/ Allison to pull my new Cardinal 5er (Dry Weight over 12,500#) back from my dealer in N.C. to Va.

I am by no means an expert and have never driven a vehicle with a Jake but as far as the Allison is concerned...what an impressive transmission. In the tow-haul mode when coming to a stop with all of that weight behind me the Allison downshifted and "braked" just like a stick shift would...assisting the truck's / 5er's brakes to stop. You will be pleasantly suprised with the Duramax/Allison combo.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the replies.

Does banks actually make a Jake for the newer Dmax's?

Mine has actually scared me a time or two by shifting down too far and near over-revving on some of the bigger grades in eastern TN and KY.

On Edit: You can see a pic here (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/garageimage.php?do=full&p=403&d=1136693290)!

what did it rev to??? cause as long as it in a closed throttle position ( not on the gas) the grade brake is fine reving up to around the 4000 some mark. ( i forget at the moment... its up till you get to the solid red mark on the tach.the red slashes is the grade braking area.

Does banks actually make a Jake for the newer Dmax's?

i think i've seen them for the LB7, not sure if they have one for the LLY or LBZ yet?

There is a BIG difference in am JAKE BRAKE like on big rigs and a EXHAUST BRAKE witch is what you find in after market up grades a jake is acutely on the head of motor as a EXHAUST brake is nothing more then a simple baffle witch works nice but does not compare to a jake brake it would be nuts and cool if pickups had jake but they don’t.

Second allison/duramax and like most am impressed with the set-up. Pull between 10,000-12,000 trailer weight on a regular basis with tool box and stuff another 1,500 in the bed and truck doesn't seem close it's limit.

There is a BIG difference in am JAKE BRAKE like on big rigs and a EXHAUST BRAKE witch is what you find in after market up grades a jake is acutely on the head of motor as a EXHAUST brake is nothing more then a simple baffle witch works nice but does not compare to a jake brake it would be nuts and cool if pickups had jake but they don’t.
Well, my exhaust brake is made by Jacobs so forgive me for calling it a Jake brake.;)

My Apologies

what did it rev to??? cause as long as it in a closed throttle position ( not on the gas) the grade brake is fine reving up to around the 4000 some mark. ( i forget at the moment... its up till you get to the solid red mark on the tach.the red slashes is the grade braking area.

There have only been two times it's done it and once was descending the east side of Clinch Mountain in TN. It downshifted into third and hit near 4K on the tach. That's was much too high for me, so I immediately hit the throttle to disengage it then shut off tow/haul mode and manually selected 4th gear and used the brake on the rest of the descent.

That's the nice thing about the jake, pretty much impossible to over rev.

Like what was posted earlier, the motor is designed to rev up to the solid line on the tach when the throttle is closed and using grade braking. It stops fueling around 3300rpm but is fine reving higher when in t/h and braking.
There have only been two times it's done it and once was descending the east side of Clinch Mountain in TN. It downshifted into third and hit near 4K on the tach. That's was much too high for me, so I immediately hit the throttle to disengage it then shut off tow/haul mode and manually selected 4th gear and used the brake on the rest of the descent.

The Allison is smart enough to NOT allow the engine to be over reved. Just put her in tow haul and she'll do the rest for you

The Allison is smart enough to NOT allow the engine to be over reved. Just put her in tow haul and she'll do the rest for you

Not so. I've seen 4K on my dads that is completely stock :( .I won't own an auto. They suck towing. I'd stick with the CTD 6spd and and put a TST and a good clutch in it :D . My buddy went from a manuel to an auto and now he regrets it. Can't pull like the manuel and just don't hold the abuse he puts to it. Now both were CTD's but I'm not a fan of the Ally :rolleyes: anyway. Way overrated. Yes it's the best auto but still a Censored auto!

i didnt know they even made jakes for pickups

thats suhweet

Thanks for the insight on the RPM's during grade braking guys!

Not so. I've seen 4K on my dads that is completely stock :( .I won't own an auto. They suck towing. I'd stick with the CTD 6spd and and put a TST and a good clutch in it :D . My buddy went from a manuel to an auto and now he regrets it. Can't pull like the manuel and just don't hold the abuse he puts to it. Now both were CTD's but I'm not a fan of the Ally :rolleyes: anyway. Way overrated. Yes it's the best auto but still a Censored auto!

The red line on the 2006 is set at 4800 rpm. If the rpm would go over that, the programing will not allow a downshift. Not everyone is able to use a stick, and I'm sure if automatics were no good for towing, the mfg. would not be using them. Some mfg. go so far as to recomend them.

I think if you're happy with the way your cummins performs I would go with the cummins again and get the factory exhaust-brake. Nothing against the GM product I just think it's a good idea to stay with what has been working for you. Either way you can have your exhaust brake. You'll just have to go to the aftermarket with the GM. Of course If you aren't happy with the Dodge disregard what I've said altogether and go for the GM.

I had a 93 CTD with an exhaust brake & 5 sp. The duramax with auto is nothing like it. It will give about half the hold back but eng rpm is up to 4k ,and more more than I like. Once I am out of warranty I want to get an exh brake for the duramax allison, To me the worse case for needing an exhaust brake is going down hill behind someone or on a road where you cant make the corners at over 25-30 mph for 20 minutes or so. In cases like that I can use tow haul and manual mode to hold the gear I want. I just don't like the engine reving over 3k.

Well, I have been really happy with my truck but the lease is up, and I can get a 2007 fully loaded dually classic for 10% off list and 0% financing.

i didnt know they even made jakes for pickups

thats suhweet

I don't believe they make a jake brake for pickups because the design of the engines won't accept the "jake brake". Like an earlier reply stated an exhaust brake is a different animal than a 'jake brake'.

When on, the Jacobs Engine Brake (jake brake) opens the exhaust valves near the top of the compression stroke, releasing the highly compressed air through the exhaust system. Little energy is returned to the piston, and as the cycle repeats, the energy of the truck’s forward motion is dissipated, which slows the truck down. (source Jacob Brake)

The exhaust brake works opposite to the engine brake where it holds the compression in the engine instead of releasing it. The exhaust brake is a butterfly valve in the exhaust system. When in the off position the butterfly valve is open and the exhaust gases flow normally, but when activated the valve closes and restricts the exhaust flow holding a portion of the compressed air in the cylinder. After the normal power stroke (rebound) the piston would again travel up the cylinder expelling the gases. With those gases trapped behind the exhaust brake the piston meets resistance as it trys to push the gases past the brake. The engine piston meets this resistance, which causes it to absorb energy, causing rapid deceleration. (source Pacbrake)

FWIW, the allison tow/haul mode works for me while towing down steep grades although I don't tow as heavy as Collin. I had an exhaust brake on a dodge cummins and it worked great...my CAT diesel powered motor home has a jake brake and it's terrific...to be honest I believe the jake brake is superior but not available on our pickups.

i beleive you can actually get a jake brake for a dodge.ive seen it on one of those truck shows on sunday.

i beleive you can actually get a jake brake for a dodge.ive seen it on one of those truck shows on sunday.

I checked the usual sites re jake brakes and could not find one for the dodge cummins. Anything is possible of course, the members on this site and their mechanical talent proves that, but I don't believe the dodge cummins can accommodate a Jake Brake at least a commercial available one.

On the other hand, if anyone has information re a true jake brake for our pickups or the dodge cummins, please post.

The red line on the 2006 is set at 4800 rpm. If the rpm would go over that, the programing will not allow a downshift. Not everyone is able to use a stick, and I'm sure if automatics were no good for towing, the mfg. would not be using them. Some mfg. go so far as to recomend them.


Because they make more on an auto truck. It's called market manipulation :mad: . I'll cladly put my 6spd against an ally both loaded with 28K and see who pulls the hills better :D . There is no comparason,we have both.

An auto will never match a manual. You will always have some mechanical loss due to the torque converter where as on a manual you have that direct drive. As long as your clutch doesn't slip, you have direct power.

But, like what was stated earlier, not everyone can drive a manual.

A manual will get better mileage as well because it doesn't have that in-efficiency with the torque converter.

An auto will never match a manual. You will always have some mechanical loss due to the torque converter where as on a manual you have that direct drive. As long as your clutch doesn't slip, you have direct power.

But, like what was stated earlier, not everyone can drive a manual.

A manual will get better mileage as well because it doesn't have that in-efficiency with the torque converter.

I agree with the two posts above and I've always had automatics in my pickups, one in a dodge cummins, a LLY and my current LBZ. Although, I might add that while torque coverter inefficiencies clearly exist, like almost all things the modern torque coverters are far superior than they used to be and the inefficiencies are not material. I drive manuals, have one in my Zo6 and love it, but I'd rather not be shifting gears and clutching in my truck. Besides, the new 6spd Ally has a "manual" if you want to hold a gear.

No offense to the Manual guys.

I checked the usual sites re jake brakes and could not find one for the dodge cummins. Anything is possible of course, the members on this site and their mechanical talent proves that, but I don't believe the dodge cummins can accommodate a Jake Brake at least a commercial available one.

On the other hand, if anyone has information re a true jake brake for our pickups or the dodge cummins, please post.

I called it a Jake brake because it is made by Jacobs, but it is actually an exhaust brake.
https://quickserve.cummins.com/info/qsol/promotions/newparts/jacobs_ebrake.html