BD Diesel Engine Brake Switch

Put Your Exhaust Brake at Your Fingertips with BD Diesel

When you're descending a mountain grade with a loaded trailer, the last thing you want is to fumble for your exhaust brake control. That's exactly the problem BD Diesel solves with their purpose-built engine brake switch kits — ergonomic, shift-lever-mounted controls that put exhaust brake activation right where your hand already is.

BD Diesel's history in the exhaust brake world runs deep. BD built its reputation on exhaust brakes starting in the early 1990s, with casting designs covering both engine-mount and remote-mount systems. That institutional knowledge carries directly into their switch lineup — these aren't generic toggle switches repurposed for diesel use, but purpose-designed components engineered to work seamlessly with BD's own exhaust brake ecosystem.

Two Switch Styles, One Goal: On-Demand Braking Control

BD Diesel offers two primary engine brake switch configurations for manual transmission trucks:

• Push/Pull Switch Kit (5/8" Shift Lever) – Part #1300210: A classic push/pull style switch that clamps directly to a 5/8-inch manual transmission shift lever. The kit includes the switch and a complete wiring harness, so you have everything needed to get the exhaust brake activating from the stick itself.
• Push/Pull Switch Kit (3/4" Shift Lever) – Part #1300240: The same proven design scaled to fit the larger 3/4-inch shift lever diameter common on heavier-duty manual transmissions. Replacement parts are included with both kits.

Both designs share a key appeal: that classic "old school trucker feel" of controlling your braking from the shift lever, keeping your eyes on the road and your hand in position. Beyond exhaust brake activation, the switch can also be wired to trigger other accessories — light bars, air horns, or any accessory requiring a fingertip-reach activation point.

Why BD Diesel's Electronic Ecosystem Makes the Difference

These switch kits aren't standalone novelties — they're designed as optional add-ons that complement BD Diesel's broader exhaust brake systems. BD's exhaust brake technology is built around a dedicated electronic department, with their engineers focused on minimizing failure points and delivering reliable engagement every time the switch is activated. The result is a switch-and-harness package engineered to communicate reliably with the BD exhaust brake's electronic control systems, not just a generic aftermarket component.

Both kits are legal for sale and use in all 50 states and require no special emissions equipment order (EO) in California. They are also Made in the USA, consistent with BD Diesel's broader commitment to quality manufacturing.

Whether you're outfitting a Dodge Cummins, Ford Power Stroke, or GM Duramax with a BD exhaust brake system, these engine brake switch kits represent a clean, purposeful upgrade to how you engage retarding power on the road. Browse the full selection of engine brake switches or explore everything BD Diesel has to offer for your diesel truck.