Rambunctious1

Does anybody know if there are electric fan kits for our trucks? Preferably one that is controlled by the thermostat. I did a search for this topic and only found info for 1st and 2nd gens. Thanks in advance.

Dodgezilla

The problem is in finding one that will fit between the grill and the radiator/condenser/Intercooler combo. Not much room to play with.....

Geico266

What's wrong with the stock fan set up?

Dodgezilla

I would like one of you electrical gurus to tell me how to wire a toggle switch in line to turn the fan on at will instead of having to turn the A/C on. That fan works better than any electric fan I have ever run......

Rambunctious1

Actually, I asked this question for a buddy of mine. He's been pestering me to ask the question on here.

Scotty

Dee Rawson out of Utah had two fans on his 2 gen.
I think he had one on the front and one on the back side drawing air. Thats pretty much all I know on it.

Scotty

RustyJC

If you work the engine hard (e.g., tow heavy in hot weather and hilly terrain), keep this in mind.

On a former truck, I bought the Flex-a-Lite 350 dual puller setup that eliminated the engine-driven fan. These fans drew 50 amps. 50 amps x 12 volts = 600 watts = 0.8 horsepower. Compare this to the 5-20 horsepower (depending on whose testing you believe) consumed by the engine-driven fan.

My $450 lesson - there's no way 0.8 horsepower can move enough air to handle the heat rejection of an engine that's working hard. On the other hand, it can cool a mall cruiser just fine!

Rusty

v8440

The only brand of aftermarket electric fans I'm aware of that's even remotely worth a hoot is spal. Flexalite is a common brand, sold all over the place. Like most of the rest of them, their ratings are wildly optimistic, as you now see. What I'm saying is, your experience with flexalite fans is not representative of what you could get with high quality electric fans.

I have a friend with a '67 pontiac tempest that has a strong 455 in it, probably 625 hp or so. The car has a/c, and never gets hot. He turned his spal electric fans on for me with an underhood switch. They tried to blow my hand back. This was with the engine off, on battery voltage. It was immediately obvious that all the other aftermarket fans I've ever used are nowhere near in the same league.

The other, cheaper, place you could try is a junkyard. Oem fans are generally pretty good, much better than the cheaper aftermarket fans. You could try to cobble something together using fans from fwd cars with decent sized engines.

Rambunctious1

Thanks for the input guys. I think he was looking for a direct bolt-in replacement type setup. I'll let him know what you guys have come up with. I think he was just looking for a setup that would flow as well as the stock fan but that was controlled by the thermostat so it would be easier to warm up the truck. He and I only live about 8 miles from work. It's nearly impossible to warm the thing up with this short drive on chilly mornings. I think this was the main reason for him asking.

RustyJC

Believe what you will. 0.8 HP is 16% of 5 HP or 4% of 20 HP. Even if another brand's airfoils are twice as efficient, that's only the equivalent of 1.6 BHP. If another brand draws much more than 50 amps, they will draw the battery down at idle (my 50 amp fans would do that in about 10 minutes sitting at idle with the lights on and the A/C running). Also consider that your friend's Tin Indian isn't running 20,000 lbs GCW up a 5 mile 6% grade. As I've said, electric fans will cool mall cruisers just fine.

It's been said that a wise man learns from the failure of others. I've given you my experience. If you work your truck hard, electric fans won't cut it dragging a heavy 5th wheel in the Texas Hill Country in the middle of summer, or dragging that same 5th wheel in Houston traffic. If you choose not to believe me, it's your money!

Rusty

Spooler

Been their, Done that, I'll stick with the mechanical fan. He is giving you good advice and so am I.

Dodgezilla

Winterfront..........