Banks Brake Kit Install - Exhaust Brake - 2006 Dodge Ram 2500

We've been toying with this particular Dodge Ram 2500 for about a year, using it as a test mule of sorts for a number of aftermarket products. Overall, it was a good fit while we evaluated the kind of products that specifically benefited truck owners with large, weighty trailers.

Interestingly, of all the products that have been installed, the one that impressed us the most wasn't the most expensive, glamorous, or the easiest to install-it just made the most sense. We're referring to the addition of a Banks Brake for the '04 to '07 Dodge Ram.

Long before the installation of the Banks Brake, we outfitted the rig with a Banks PowerPack, OttoMind6 tuner, and cat-back exhaust. As a unit, the parts offered the kind of adjust-on-the-fly power we needed and lowered our exhaust gas temperatures. That particular setup also yielded 100 hp beyond stock.

But as our towing loads increased, we decided to rebuild the stock 48RE transmission just in case. That job was left to ATS Diesel in Colorado, and we have never been happier. Power shifts and maximum locking performance from the new torque converter made for even more confident long-distance hauls.

But it was this simple Banks Brake kit that positively changed the way the truck handled with a trailer. Truck owner Tony Becker said he wished he had done the upgrade sooner and saw the benefits of the Banks Brake immediately.

The idea that you can cut your downhill speeds without using the wheel brakes means they will be fully functional when you need them most. And less wear and tear means less money spent on buying replacement parts. As you already know, heavy loads and steep descents with a trailer in tow means you are tempting fate with just the stock braking system. The last thing you want is to smell your brakes burning up as the rotors or drums turn red hot. Applying more pedal force just increases the problem.

Don't confuse the Banks Brake we tested with a Jake Brake like those found on commercial tractor-trailers, though. The Banks Brake is a direct-mount, no-maintenance exhaust brake that saves wheel brakes by utilizing the spent exhaust exiting the engine. When operating, it was quiet and very effective. Moreover, we found it very simple to use.

The installation was do-it-yourself friendly, and there was no need to do any welding or cutting. Common handtools were all that was needed for the installation work. The kit came complete with detailed instructions, an OEM-like wiring harness, OBD II interface cable, interior control switches, and the vacuum solenoid that's mounted under the hood.