Brake boost system

[R.D.J.]

Hello fellas,

Do all of the 2014- present Power Wagons have vacuum assisted brakes?

I saw a 2018 in person the other day that had it, and a couple of Youtube videos that showed the engine compartment and they had it as well. My 2018 Ram 2500 6.4 has hydroboost brakes in it. I would have thought in that respect the trucks would have been very similar.

Any thoughts? Obviously, the hydroboost provides more robust assist when braking, especially when towing, but since I rarely if ever tow, the hydroboost is kind of a detriment on reliability since there are twice the power steering hoses that are more common to develop leaks, than a vacuum booster fails. I also wonder if the power steering pump is any different as well.

 

[crash68]

I remember reading a post on here inquiring about this with the 2500's in general.
Any CTD trucks will have the hydroboost brakes. There was a mix-match of gas powered trucks that went either way (vacuum or hydroboost), don't remember it being whether the truck had the 6.4 vs 5.7 either. Even RAM's own literature stated the gas truck came with vacuum but no mention of hydroboost for the gas trucks.

 

[scoutpappa]

Vacuum here. 2017 PW. It's definitely a weird animal as it has a dual diaphragm. Would much prefer a single with a more linear assist.

 

[R.D.J.]

I didn't know it had a dual diaphragm. That is interesting. Do you feel that the booster has a progressive rate of assist?

Im trying to turn my 2018 2500 into as close to a Power Wagon as I would like. Basically I want to add the front locker and winch. I don't need the articulink, or disconnecting sway bars here on the bald prairie. I would have simply bought a Power Wagon, but I really wanted the full length center console. The booster is just something I noticed when digging around Power Wagons.

 

[scoutpappa]

It's weird. You have a lot of stopping power say 60 to 20 then you have to put your leg into the 20 and below. You can feel the stages. I would expect some feedback here. I've gotten used to it so stopping is better now but I did blow through or close to a few red lights the first week I had the truck. So it's non linear is the best way I can describe it. Heavy with the assist at first and almost non existent at the end.

 

[R.D.J.]

Hmm that's interesting to know. Ive not driven a 2014-Present Power Wagon, but have driven many Cummins powered regular 2500/3500 trucks. It was pretty easy for me to go to driving this new 6.4 powered truck as my other one is hydroboost as well. I can likely live with the increased complexity of the hydroboost system. I REALLY try to avoid situations as best I can where I would need every Newton of force assisting my foot, but it sure feels like the braking system/assist system has no problem stopping a 7000+ lb truck.

 

[pwjouster]

honestly i have the PW and whatever brake system comes stock '18 is absolutely impressive... coming directly from previous vehicle HC charger and other sport and offroad vehicles.

it has impressed me time and time again with emergency stopping and bringing the trailwhale to a hault. have yet to skid a tire and have successfully avoided stupid and costly accidents.
satisfied with the hardware, only upgrade should probably be HD/performance aftermarket rotors and pads. braided lines wouldnt hurt probably. havent heard much about failure in any 2500 ram.


what i do have to say about the power wagon brake and throttle system is its capability to finesse a fine tuned cabin ride over rough terrain and boulderous peaks and ledges. the throttle response and control rising or rolling off or teetering over crests and ledges is perfect in this truck for offroad capability

 

[scoutpappa]

I had a 1500 with the large single diaphragm before as well as slotted discs and sticky pads. Let's just say it took a minute to get used to the 2017 PW coming from that. Dodge has never skimped on brakes in my opinion. They are just different due to all of the differences between the two trucks. Funny that the non-PW 6.4 equipped trucks have hydroboost though. Especially considering the brake hardware on the rear axle.