I have an Edge CS which will monitor all four EGTs in the truck along with other items which I would have to go searching for in the DIC list. Tranny temp, MAF flow, boost etc. With this truck I have never seen EGTs on any of the 4 senders that go much over 1K. In the 04, I would see EGTs at or above 1300. My diesel mechanic said drive it and don't worry about EGTs. The engine computer will keep you from going too high. Pretty much it would downshift when it needed to reduce temps. With the 14, the computers shift as necessary and their are 6 gears whereas the 04 had only 4.
It is not a bad idea to monitor EGT and it gives some peace of mind when hauling long grades but we have some 10 mile or more grades in AZ with outside temps at 110 and I have not seen an issue. I do shut down the air conditioner on a few of those just to take some of the load off but even when I have forgotten to do that, I have not had a problem.
As for the exhaust brake. Love it! The Banks Brake on the 04 would almost bring me to a stop coming down a light grade. On long downhills it kept me at 60-65. The turbo brake on the 14 will do the same but I have found it is not as aggressive so I set my speed about 60 on downhills or it will let me get to 70 before going to work if I am set at 65. I don't like getting that high with sharp curves coming up.
These diesels today are pretty much made to do that type of work and are computered up to keep from doing damage to themselves while doing that work. It is when you chip or program them that you can get yourself into trouble if you are not monitoring what is going on. With chips or programs the safety limits are sometimes overridden to give more horse power or torque.
An EFI Live expert told me one time that programming takes a little of the life away from the engine no matter what else you do to try to protect it. They are built and programmed at the factory to not do long term damage to themselves.
