Installing engine brakes on 03 FL Century

You sure it doesnt have jakes? I would get the VIN # and ask your local Freightliner.

 

No Jakes? Is it a daycab? I don't think I've seen a truck without jakes but that doesn't mean much either

 

Hi,

I know some owners who did not want to have jakes on there truck and have had the dealer disconnect them. In laymens terms: There may be breaks but not connected.

KH

 

He said it has, NO JAKES! now... how about an answer? Hey just being sarcastic, having a lil fun. dont mind me.

 

I've seen truck that did not have jakes. They were all very plain trucks. Would not buy 1 that did not have a eng. brake of some sort. To answer your ? about how much it would cost to add a brake I have no idea. I am guessing its not worth it.

 

I recently had to buy a whole Jake brake housing (the part with the pistons that goes under the valve cover) and ended up getting a better deal on three than just one, and it cost me $850. That's for used ones, but it did include the solenoids. You might also need the spacer that goes in between the head and valve cover(s) with the wiring harness for it. I'm sure there's a proper name for that part, and you may not need it, it might be the same part for engines with no Jake. Then I guess once you got it all hooked up you'd have to get someone to change the parameters in the ECM. I don't know how this is setup on a Detroit, I have a Cat, but the Jakes are made by Jacobs, not Cat, Detroit, etc.

All that to say, I don't think it's worth it unless you're getting some kind of ridiculously good deal on the truck. I'd guess it'll cost you at least $2k, which is probably a good 15% of what the truck's worth. It's a buyer's market right now, I'd keep looking, there's a truck spec'd just like you want it out there.

 

Do you have a link to the truck?