No jake brake on my truck

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Avh, May 21, 2020.

  1. Avh

    Avh Bobtail Member

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    I just bought a 2015 peterbuilt 579 automated transmission 10 speed cummins. There is no jake brake on it so i went to the peterbuilt dealer and they told me this truck doesn’t have a factory made jake brake, if they put one on might not work, they told me to find someone with the same type of truck who put an engine brake on their truck and it works, get their vin or the part number and they'll order and instal the same on my truck. Any suggestions on what i can do?
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    The odds of finding someone who installed a jake is slim to zero. Sounds like the dealer doesn't know how to do it.

    Might be better off going directly to Cummins and see what they say.
     
  4. Avh

    Avh Bobtail Member

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    oh okay thank you, il go ahead and do that hopefully they'll have something. I am a new driver I don't want to risk it not having a jake brake
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 21, 2020
    Reason for edit: fixed quote
  5. Western flyer

    Western flyer Road Train Member

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    That's the first thing you should have checked
    Before buying it.
    It's a 2015, so it's not a old truck.
    I didn't know they made OTR trucks without them anymore.

    Never knew anybody who put one on.
    Might have more problems afterwards,if they screw something up
    Installing it.
     
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  6. Avh

    Avh Bobtail Member

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    That was my rookie mistake not checking for jake before buying. There is low mode on my truck but i dont know if that will do as jake brake
     
  7. Western flyer

    Western flyer Road Train Member

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    Don't know what a low mode is.
    Maybe someone else can tell you what it's for.
     
  8. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    Ck past the turbo to see if it has a EX. brake on it? it shuts off the flow of ex. and will slow down your truck a little bit that may be what the switch marked low leads to? You will have to change brake shoes and drums and use the best quality parts when you change out the brakes, if you drop and hook ck. the brakes on any trailers you hook to, be sure the trailer has working brakes?
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  9. Avh

    Avh Bobtail Member

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    May 21, 2020
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    I do have ex brake on it. But I dont know how to use it. Im not going to have trailer i converted it into a super10 dump truck max goin to be 60k lbs. I am new Ive never driven loaded and i asked around about having a jake brake half the people say u are going to need it other half are telling me you wont need it.
     
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  10. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Jakes are relatively "new"

    In the early 70's jakes weren't overly common. Trucks still made it down hills just fine. Gotta account for it and take it slow. Lower gear.
     
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  11. longhaultransport

    longhaultransport Light Load Member

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    Did you double frame it when you converted it?
     
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