Electric cooling fan conversion?

Desert36

Desert36

New member
Has anybody done an electric fan conversion to replace the clutch fan system?
thinking of putting a system together for a dual fan to have fan 1 turn on at 180° and fan 2 on at 210°.. Should significantly reduce noise and increase fuel economy..
 
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Desert36 said:
Has anybody done an electric fan conversion to replace the clutch fan system?
thinking of putting a system together for a dual fan to have fan 1 turn on at 180° and fan 2 on at 210°.. Should significantly reduce noise and increase fuel economy..
Click to expand...



My take on this is.....

If it were feasible(design and $$$-wise) - Toyota would have jumped all over it.

CARB/CAFE - more energy credits/etc.
 
It's a known fact that an electric fan increases fuel economy, and I know the Toyota engineers are always leaving something on the table for the next model.
 
Desert36 said:
It's a known fact that an electric fan increases fuel economy, and I know the Toyota engineers are always leaving something on the table for the next model.
Click to expand...

It will likely make available a few more HP and torque(which you may also not notice), make the engine compartment quieter and likely provide marginal mpg improvement. You will want to place a switch inside the cabin to shut the electric fan off during any water crossings. The mechanical fan is also quite reliable historically.
 
Desert36 said:
It's a known fact that an electric fan increases fuel economy, and I know the Toyota engineers are always leaving something on the table for the next model.
Click to expand...

Show me the data then please.
There are several reasons to use an electric fan. In order:
1. Space constraints
2. Integration into the ECU
3. Cost
4. Efficiency

Could it be more efficient? Sure, if you integrated it into Toyota ECU (never happen) and realized your approach of two points will possibly DECREASE efficiency never mind the added complexity and loss of reliability and durability. This is not a 1968 Chevy truck.

My guess is you would save about what it would cost for you to do the mod over the life of the vehicle, barring the inevitable problems you will have. Factoring those in you will lose money if you include labor.
 
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the electric fan brought about by front wheel drive cars with transverse mounted engines? They had to use electric fans because the crank pulley was on the side, not the front, not because they were looking for more fuel economy.

I looked into it for my 96 Bronco but after much research it became obvious the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. There just wasn't any definitive proof of more fuel economy for that particular vehicle.
 
Most of the time the radiator fan free-wheels on the clutch anyway. I doubt much fuel would be saved. Best to keep the mechanical fan as its simpler. Less stuff to break.
 
Desert36 said:
Has anybody done an electric fan conversion to replace the clutch fan system?
thinking of putting a system together for a dual fan to have fan 1 turn on at 180° and fan 2 on at 210°.. Should significantly reduce noise and increase fuel economy..
Click to expand...

mechanical fan is more reliable . electric fans when installed on a vehicle having a mechanical will need fan controls and an alternator to handle the power for the fans. don't matter rear or front drive . then there also needs to be a vehicle speed cut out for the electric fans.then the fan shrouds , this is a must do with any fan .. these closely fitted to the fan blades work to properly direct outside air into the engine bay thru the radiator coils.

fuel savings are small with electric . under hood temps IMO are lower with a properly operating mechanical fan since the clutch in hot weather provides better air flow when vehicle is stopped.

I have both types . I prefer the mechanical fan .. both rear wheel drive vehicles.
 
Thanks guys, I was looking for a kit, or to make one and yeah, the juice doesn't seem worth the squeeze, it would take a alooooong time for 1-2mpg to pay for the electric fan kit parts, and like you guys say, less stuff to break..... In a zombie apocalypse:)
 
It's a known fact that an electric fan increases fuel economy
3ce6.jpg
 
Chipper78 said:
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the electric fan brought about by front wheel drive cars with transverse mounted engines? They had to use electric fans because the crank pulley was on the side, not the front, not because they were looking for more fuel economy.

I looked into it for my 96 Bronco but after much research it became obvious the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. There just wasn't any definitive proof of more fuel economy for that particular vehicle.
Click to expand...

Our JKU and some v8 Dakotas at work have elec fans. It's easier to manage engine temp with electronics. I think the 5cyl in the Chev Tralblazer had some sort of elec controlled mech driven fan.

I was very surprised to see an engine driven fan on the 4R.
 
adrtoy said:
Our JKU and some v8 Dakotas at work have elec fans. It's easier to manage engine temp with electronics. I think the 5cyl in the Chev Tralblazer had some sort of elec controlled mech driven fan.

I was very surprised to see an engine driven fan on the 4R.
Click to expand...

Chev Tralblazer nvr hd 5cyl.

Also nt sur y u abrvt evrtng. Ur kybrd msng sum keys or whut?:faint:
 
Last edited:
My experience with a few vehicles with aftermarket electric fans are that they do in fact help with MPG and seat of the pants power but it varies vehicle to vehicle. The downside is the fans draw a lot of power so your charging system better be able to handle it and I have had a couple of the relays/controls burn out which damn near made the vehicles overheat. So I'm not sure if switching out the reliable mechanical fan would be worth a couple MPG to go to a possibly less reliable electric setup. My opinion is that it's not worth it on these Toyotas but if you're talking a late 80's - early 90's Chevy, that would be one of the first things I would change.
 
Chipper78 said:
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the electric fan brought about by front wheel drive cars with transverse mounted engines? They had to use electric fans because the crank pulley was on the side, not the front, not because they were looking for more fuel economy.

I looked into it for my 96 Bronco but after much research it became obvious the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. There just wasn't any definitive proof of more fuel economy for that particular vehicle.
Click to expand...

One of the original mass produced transverse mounted engine car...Mini Cooper. It took a little bit longer for us to figure out where to put the radiator and fan!:confused:
<img style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Austin-Mini-Cooper-S-engine.png">
 
YodaPride said:
One of the original mass produced transverse mounted engine car...Mini Cooper. It took a little bit longer for us to figure out where to put the radiator and fan!:confused:
<img style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Austin-Mini-Cooper-S-engine.png">
Click to expand...



Those crazy Brits!
 
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