Engine Brakin LT77 200tdi

[LazyRabbit]

Engine braking in my truck sucks, especially on long steep grades. 2nd gear especially doesn't seem to hold back the truck at all, it just over runs it, and 3rd gets going to fast and doesn't seems to hold much back pressure.

Is this normal, or do i have an issue?

I've got my brakes smoking some twice in the mountains and now Im upgrading and replacing with EBC green stuff brake pads

thanks!

 

[RDavisinVA]

Go to rear disc brakes if you haven't already.
What ratio is the T-case?

 

[Roverman2010]

Are you towing anything? Exhaust brake.

 

[Red90]

It is really a "how long is a piece of string" question. Perhaps it is normal for that engine size, weight of vehicle and grade of slope. There are slopes you need to be in low range to control speed. Without comparing to another vehicle of the same weight with a similar sized diesel, it is hard to answer.

Engine "braking" without an actual "engine brake" is mostly from the pumping energy of the air moving through the engine. It will be what it will be for a 2.5 liter engine. Make sure the idle speed is set correctly, so that you are not adding any extra fuel.

Any idea how heavy you are and how steep are the slopes?

 

[mgreenspan]

This may sound dumb. Are you using your brakes, also? Do your brakes actually work correctly?

 

[rovercolorado]

This link might be helpful
http://www.csgnetwork.com/inclinedeclinegradecalc.html

I travel a 1% (400 ft) decline to work then back up the incline everyday and my truck holds easy in 3rd for that small grade at 40 mph speed limit. I have some higher percent grades for shorter hills in my area as well as highway grades that are noticeable when I'm in lower gears going down the decline. I'm at 6000 ft at a minimum in my area.
The grade, speed limit, and weight has to be factored into the calculation but I haven't gotten my brakes to the smoking stage at highway speeds. That is using high range on the diff.

 

[Red90]

Here is an example. 11 miles, 4800 feet drop. 8.2% average grade. Gray Creek FSR. Loaded for a week long trip, towing the loaded sankey. 3rd was too high to control speed. 2nd was okay with some intermittent braking. 32" tires, 1.2 transfer case, Military LT77.

 

[LazyRabbit]

This may sound dumb. Are you using your brakes, also? Do your brakes actually work correctly?

No worries, I am using the brakes, but maybe the pads are kinda crap.