3RD Gen electric fan install

[piecesparts]

How many have done a changeout of the factory fan to an electric fan? I found a couple of entries in the forum, where the owners had installed a Flex-A-Lite #675 fan in their T4R. I have done changeouts with other vehicles and gained some Miles per gallon gains, and I am wondering if the Toyota would have the same gains.

 

[Mr. B]

I'm running electric fans.
Cant say if it improved mpg, but it definitely runs cooler/better. While trailing, it sounds like a jet once its turns on haha

 

[Skidmarcx]

I've thought about electric fans... I already have a HO alternator... Is there a prewired harness including AC circuit?

 

[piecesparts]

The Flex-A-Lite 675 comes with a temperature control. This control will need a 12 volt source and it can be tapped into the A/C circuit for triggering the fans when the A/C is turned on. The temperature probe is designed to fit into the radiator fins (not my first choice, but they work).

The thing about this fan setup is that it bolts to the factory fan shroud bolt holes.

 

[kammando808]

I'm running electric fans.
Cant say if it improved mpg, but it definitely runs cooler/better. While trailing, it sounds like a jet once its turns on haha

What fans did you go with? Been thinking about it for a while but wasn't sure which one to get, plus I know for sure it would help out a lot pretty much because I live on the shitty hot side of the island

 

[jeff88]

WOW! $300-400 for an electric fan is a ton!

Isn't there a E-fan mod that people have done using like a '90s Taurus or something?

 

[98OzarksRunner]

WOW! $300-400 for an electric fan is a ton!

Isn't there a E-fan mod that people have done using like a '90s Taurus or something?

I used a 95 Taurus fan in my 65 Mustang. I think it's a pretty common mod on Jeeps. It will suck in small children, but it pulls 40 amps on high speed. That's a LOT of current, and to be honest, I've never seen my temps rise over 205 no matter the weather or the wheeling. I just don't think these trucks need any more cooling. If they did, I'd be the first in line (with a much larger alternator too).

 

[MStudt]

I used a 95 Taurus fan in my 65 Mustang. I think it's a pretty common mod on Jeeps. It will suck in small children, but it pulls 40 amps on high speed. That's a LOT of current, and to be honest, I've never seen my temps rise over 205 no matter the weather or the wheeling. I just don't think these trucks need any more cooling. If they did, I'd be the first in line (with a much larger alternator too).

You are correct. Using a Taurus fan is one of the best ways to go on Jeeps. I had one on my YJ and the entire set-up only ran me about $30. There are many universal kits that you can pick up on eBay for far less then $300-$400. The most important thing is to pick one up that comes with a sensor control. This will turn the fan on when the temp reaches a certain point, and back off when it's cooled down enough. Something like this fan kit is all you need. You just need to make sure to find one with the temp on/off settings to match what you need. These come with many different on/off temps. You could always pick up a junk yard fan and just buy a wiring kit to control the on/off as well. MPG increase is going to be so minimal that you'll most likely not even notice it.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I'm running electric fans.
Cant say if it improved mpg, but it definitely runs cooler/better. While trailing, it sounds like a jet once its turns on haha

What temp difference did you notice using an electric fan. It's true an engine driven fan doesn't do much at low speeds, but and electric fan doesn't come close to the CFM of an engine driven fan overall. Usually an engine driven fan draws 3 times as much as an electric fan. A "good" electric draws 1800CFM, while engine driven fans draw 4000-6000CFM. So I'm always skeptical about people saying they run cooler with an electric.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

The Taurus fan draws about 4000 CFM and cools very well. On my 65 Mustang (4.6L DOHC supercharged) I used a Griffin aluminum radiator. You could put your hand on the right side (input) and it was blowing hot air. Move it across and by the middle of the fan, it's blowing warm air, and by the left side it's blowing cool air. That fan REALLY works (with a tight shroud), but it pulls 40 amps on high speed (I think it's fed with 8 ga wire from the factory!), and is overkill for these 3.4 motors, even at low RPMs (which will cause battery drain since the alternator can't supply as much current to run the fan at low RPMs).

And since the stock fan is uses a thermal clutch, it doesn't use much power (if any) at highway speeds, so there's no real fuel economy advantage to an electric fan, and the extra cooling really isn't needed (in my experience). I'd spend the money on other toys.

 

[Mr. B]

What temp difference did you notice using an electric fan. It's true an engine driven fan doesn't do much at low speeds, but and electric fan doesn't come close to the CFM of an engine driven fan overall. Usually an engine driven fan draws 3 times as much as an electric fan. A "good" electric draws 1800CFM, while engine driven fans draw 4000-6000CFM. So I'm always skeptical about people saying they run cooler with an electric.

my older brother has the exact year 4runner as me so its easy to compare (nearly identical mileage and all). Neither of us are using a aftermarket temp gauge, however, looking at both our OEM needles shows the difference that mine is ALWAYS running at a lower temp.

thru my racing experiences, I know that you should NEVER trust a OEM temp gauge, but I believe in these circumstances it proves my point.

EDIT: I used to be a member on jeepforum dot com when I had a WJ. Just remembered a few guys reporting their temps going from ~240* down to the 215/220* range with the Taurus fan.

 

[IBallEngineer]

my older brother has the exact year 4runner as me so its easy to compare (nearly identical mileage and all). Neither of us are using a aftermarket temp gauge, however, looking at both our OEM needles shows the difference that mine is ALWAYS running at a lower temp.

thru my racing experiences, I know that you should NEVER trust a OEM temp gauge, but I believe in these circumstances it proves my point.

EDIT: I used to be a member on jeepforum dot com when I had a WJ. Just remembered a few guys reporting their temps going from ~240* down to the 215/220* range with the Taurus fan.

So are you running the Taurus fan in your 3rd gen? I'm just getting info from you, I have NO intention of running an electric fan. Been there done that aint gonna do it again.

 

[02SE]

How many have done a changeout of the factory fan to an electric fan? I found a couple of entries in the forum, where the owners had installed a Flex-A-Lite #675 fan in their T4R. I have done changeouts with other vehicles and gained some Miles per gallon gains, and I am wondering if the Toyota would have the same gains.

Here's one members experience with that particular fan: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/72726-stay-away-flexalite-675-3rd-gens.html

 

[piecesparts]

I have other vehicles that I am running electric aftermarket fans on. Those vehicles have "Be Cool" dual 11" fan setups and those are tough fans. The fans are rated for 2850 SCFM, and they move that much air without much effort. I am glad that someone has experienced the Flex-A-Lite fans and provided a qualitative review, even though it was negative on them.

 

[Mr. B]

So are you running the Taurus fan in your 3rd gen? I'm just getting info from you, I have NO intention of running an electric fan. Been there done that aint gonna do it again.

Wish I could tell you which ones as the previous owner did them. Its duals with a dc electronic controller for all I know.

The Taurus fan was in my Jeep after I nearly overheated her going up to Mauna Kea summit (~13,000 ft.). Just never ran a scan gauge to get accurate readings on her (IMO too expensive just to have a digital reading).

 

[jeff88]

Just never ran a scan gauge to get accurate readings on her (IMO too expensive just to have a digital reading).

Just get an UltraGauge. Half the price and more presets.

------------
So if the Taurus fan is too large for the 3.4, is there another stock e-fan that will work or would one have to go aftermarket?

 

[Mr. B]

Just get an UltraGauge. Half the price and more presets.

------------
So if the Taurus fan is too large for the 3.4, is there another stock e-fan that will work or would one have to go aftermarket?

Just looked it up, nice price! Just dont think I really need it

 

[19963.4lsr5]

EDIT: I used to be a member on jeepforum dot com when I had a WJ. Just remembered a few guys reporting their temps going from ~240* down to the 215/220* range with the Taurus fan.

I am / was “1986CJ74.2L” over there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Our factory alternators can only push around 40a at idle in gear at 600rpm with your foot on the brake. There is no difference I noticed between the 70a and the 80a Alt for output at idle. I have both.

With your lights on and your fan on speed 3 and your foot on the brake illuminating the brake lights you are exceeding the capacity of the Alt at idle without adding a electric cooling fan. That’s my concern.........


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[clearock]

I run a dual fan system. I have the stock fan, and I have a dual electric fan set up in front of the radiator. I use the electric fan in tandem with the stock fan when I'm off-roading, or in any other situation that requires more system cooling. I got the fan from a salvage yard for $20 from a Mercedes. **I require more cooling because my vehicle is significantly heavier than a stock 4runner and my custom winch and mounts block some of the airflow to the radiator.