BigSkyBob
Western Montana
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I want to replace my current Pacbrake, the older standard model, with the new PRXB model. Has anyone accomplished this themselves and if so how difficult was it? I have a 2008 coach with a 2006 ISL 400 Cummins engine with 8800 miles so the parts should disassemble easier than one that has many more miles. I've worked in the heavy equipment field on diesel engines my entire life and have the tools so is this something that can be done fairly easily?
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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I am a little stumped... I thought ISL 400 came with the Engine brake not an exhaust brake?
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flhtci-rider
Montreal, Canada
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I called the company about 6 months ago and was told it was a simple swap. If you do it let us know how it went.
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BigSkyBob
Western Montana
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Johnny, at the time I ordered my coach I was told by the salesman that the 2006 ISL 400 could not be equippted with an engine brake and had to use a Pacbrake. Of course I've discovered since that it was the typical salesperson being uninformed. I wish I had an engine brake as my Pacbrake will not hold me back on a 5% grade even down to second gear. So I feel a PRXB is in my future.
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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JohnnyT wrote:I am a little stumped... I thought ISL 400 came with the Engine brake not an exhaust brake?
Me too. ???????? At least everyone I have driven.
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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BigSkyBob
Did you check with Cummins useing the serial number to be sure you don't have a Jake?
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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Bob, From what I have read the new PRXB is significantly better especially at lower rpms...
I think I would give Cummmins a call with your serial number its entirely possible that the Components for the Engine brake which are internal to the engine are in place.
I do know that back in 2003 some of the ISL's that made their way into Travel Supremes were 370 and the ISL 370's came with an exhaust brake.. The some dealerships ordered them that way??? I test drove one and found that it had the exhaust brake and the ISL was a 370... I called Cummins and was told that the ISL 370 came with the exhaust and the 400 with Compression brake...
JohnnyT
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BigSkyBob
Western Montana
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I've lubed the specified points on my Pacbrake and have moved the actuating arm to be sure it's free. I've never given thought to checking to see if the internal components are in the engine for an engine brake but I will certainly do that with a call to Cummins with my serial number. If that's the case it would be like Merry Christmas to me. I have to ask if all the folks driving coaches with circa 2006 ISL 400 engines do in fact have an engine brake and not a Pacbrake.
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George B
Northern CA
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I think you can get an ISL either way. I know the lesser expensive Monaco products only offer the ISL with a Pac brake. To get back to your question, I replaced the stock Packbrake with the new PRXB on my previous coach and it took about an hour. You will like the increase in braking performance.
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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My understanding is that the ISL could be ordered with either an exhaust brake or engine brake. However, it is possible that the coach manufacturer did not offer a particular model MH with an engine brake because the engine is taller and that could interfere with the floor plan.
Since the ISL is capable of having an engine brake, then that route may still be possible IF there is sufficient clearance. Whether the cost is competitive with the new PacBrake is another story.
We were at a rally last year and 6 guys in our row bought the PRXB conversion from the vendor working the rally. Two techs did the 6 of them one after the other. I'd say they spent about 30-45 minutes on the easier ones, with something over an hour on a couple that were either tougher to access or tougher for other reasons.
FYI, I have a box of 5 old PacBrakes in our barn as spares!
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