Hi CTD drivers,I was rotating my tires last week & noticed my front brake pads are beyond the 1/2 way point. I'm usually pulling something & she likes to work, at the moment a small 2 horse trailer & a slide in trk camper.My rotors are still good, factory style, look to me like they were updated w/ the last set of pads. I stop fine w/ what I have. I was driving w a 6x12 single axle enclosed trailer w 2 ATV's inside had to panic stop in the hills of WV, went around a blind curve downhill & my wife & I were both surprised how well it stopped. My reply was that's why I wanted a 3500 dually.I have no idea what's on there, so what are you guys using?Thanks,Dave

Those exhaust brakes are nice but for us guys without the manual transmissions we don't get to use them. Good brakes are an important tool on the truck.

Why can't we use them? Are you unfamiliar with a lock up controller?

That's correct. I don't have a lockup controller so I am not familiar with them and don't understand why and how they are used. I seem to remember there is some risk of something happening if you don't use it right.I took my truck into the Local Dodge dealer a few years back to have some work done and I asked them about getting an exhaust brake install and they told me I couldn't do it on the auto.Wasn't smart enough to challenge them on it and just took them on their word.So ya, I don't know any more than I have been told. And I don't even know if I have been told wrong!Is it really a viable option? Is there any risk to my truck with this lockout controller and I am guessing it is all a custom install. Probably even a special exhaust brake for autos? etc.

Why can't we use them? Are you unfamiliar with a lock up controller?

So how does it work?

You can certainly have an exhaust brake with an auto. It will work a little bit without any modification. If you want it to work really well you will need a lockup controller. A lock up controller will keep your converter locked up for specific periods of time. Every controller works a little differently but the gist is they make the truck act like a manual. The automatic version may have a different way to actuate the brake than the manual. As far as I know they can be a little hard on input shafts, iat's, and map's. I used mine for a long time without any problems.The install for a controller will be different for each version. I have an ATS one and I think it was a mild pain to install. I did it myself. If I had to do it over I would get a BD controller.

You can certainly have an exhaust brake with an auto. It will work a little bit without any modification. If you want it to work really well you will need a lockup controller. A lock up controller will keep your converter locked up for specific periods of time. Every controller works a little differently but the gist is they make the truck act like a manual. The automatic version may have a different way to actuate the brake than the manual. As far as I know they can be a little hard on input shafts, iat's, and map's. I used mine for a long time without any problems. The install for a controller will be different for each version. I have an ATS one and I think it was a mild pain to install. I did it myself. If I had to do it over I would get a BD controller.

BTW, cajflynn, congrats on your million mile mark w your 53 Block! Amazing! Go CTD all the way! Dave