Electric Fan Conversion
- Thread starter RockenAlex
- Start date
RockenAlex
New member
Awesome man! I appreciate it! Look forward to getting this swap under way!
Nothing for nothing but... there was no cooler sound than my 2nd gen 4runner's (V6, manual, 4wd) factory fan. Only sometimes will my 3rd gen make that nice smooth low freq hum/wooshing sound.
Carry on gang.
4runner1983
Junior Member
engine masters PROVES electric fan makes 20HP MORE
If you watch the latest epsidoe of engine masters of MTOD...youll see that even CLUTCH fans ROB 30hp...
everyone is looking to intakes and headers to pick up like 10hp...just by taking the mechanical fan off you can pick up 30 dyno HP.
Its engine masters Season 2 episode 20
If you watch the latest epsidoe of engine masters of MTOD...youll see that even CLUTCH fans ROB 30hp...
everyone is looking to intakes and headers to pick up like 10hp...just by taking the mechanical fan off you can pick up 30 dyno HP.
Its engine masters Season 2 episode 20
An electric fan takes 7-10 amps this is a huge load to the alternator. Engine has to do more work to spin the alternator which means low MPG.
Also electric fans will run forever to keep the engine cold because the low CFM (notice how thin the blades are compared to the factory fan). This have been addressed at the beginning section of this thread.
Adding electric fans do nothing but waste. Keep the mechanical fan.
Toyota know's what they are doing far better than people making videos on youtube.
Also electric fans will run forever to keep the engine cold because the low CFM (notice how thin the blades are compared to the factory fan). This have been addressed at the beginning section of this thread.
Adding electric fans do nothing but waste. Keep the mechanical fan.
Toyota know's what they are doing far better than people making videos on youtube.
Lefty JD
New member
Well, I gotta respectfully and strongly disagree with the electric fan nay-sayers. They are absolutely PROVEN to save HP. An electric fan setup is generally good for 5-10 ft/lbs and 10-20 hp over a clutch type fan on the same engine. Even more vs flex fans and solid fans.
OEM's are using them pretty much across the board these days to help meet mpg standards, and increase HP ratings. They are for sure way more expensive than mechanical fans, so why would auto manufacturers spend extra production money for no gain?
The alternator parasitic draw argument has been disproven over and over-most electric fans are gonna draw less than 1 hp of extra drag on the alternator.
Real world example: There's a reason muscle car drag race guys almost universally run electric fans (given they have the budget). They make the cars faster by reducing parasitic losses! Considering most muscle car era stuff needs electrical system upgrades to run an electric setup, if it wasn't a legitimate improvement over the existing clutch or solid style fan why would they spend the money? I have personally gained .10 and .19 seconds in a quarter mile on cars I swapped electric fans into. Both those cars had clutch fans prior NOT solid bolt on style. I never measure MPG stuff on those cars, they're toys and in the single digit's!
Now most of us here aren't drag racing our 4runners, but that saved drag will save mpg's, PERIOD. Maybe not a huge jump, but for sure it's more efficient.
Having said all that, there is some baggage with the electric fan setup.
-Electrical system gotta be up to the task
-Fitment can be a hassle to sort out depending on application
-Potential to "underfan" if you don't do your homework before buying
-Cost (especially if alt needs to be upgraded)
-it's electric, and much more complex. Hence its much more likely to fail than a simple fan bolted onto the front of your motor.
-To do it right, its gonna take some time wiring it up.
I've got electric fans on my '86 5.0, my '72 Duster and eventually my 4R will get them. If I plan to venture way out into the boonies where a failure would be a big problem, I can strap the stock fan onto the roof rack as an emergency contingency.
It's a cost vs reward deal, and everybody's gotta consider if it's worth it for their specific application. But to just blanket statement "they suck and are useless" is inaccurate and misleading.
OEM's are using them pretty much across the board these days to help meet mpg standards, and increase HP ratings. They are for sure way more expensive than mechanical fans, so why would auto manufacturers spend extra production money for no gain?
The alternator parasitic draw argument has been disproven over and over-most electric fans are gonna draw less than 1 hp of extra drag on the alternator.
Real world example: There's a reason muscle car drag race guys almost universally run electric fans (given they have the budget). They make the cars faster by reducing parasitic losses! Considering most muscle car era stuff needs electrical system upgrades to run an electric setup, if it wasn't a legitimate improvement over the existing clutch or solid style fan why would they spend the money? I have personally gained .10 and .19 seconds in a quarter mile on cars I swapped electric fans into. Both those cars had clutch fans prior NOT solid bolt on style. I never measure MPG stuff on those cars, they're toys and in the single digit's!
Now most of us here aren't drag racing our 4runners, but that saved drag will save mpg's, PERIOD. Maybe not a huge jump, but for sure it's more efficient.
Having said all that, there is some baggage with the electric fan setup.
-Electrical system gotta be up to the task
-Fitment can be a hassle to sort out depending on application
-Potential to "underfan" if you don't do your homework before buying
-Cost (especially if alt needs to be upgraded)
-it's electric, and much more complex. Hence its much more likely to fail than a simple fan bolted onto the front of your motor.
-To do it right, its gonna take some time wiring it up.
I've got electric fans on my '86 5.0, my '72 Duster and eventually my 4R will get them. If I plan to venture way out into the boonies where a failure would be a big problem, I can strap the stock fan onto the roof rack as an emergency contingency.
It's a cost vs reward deal, and everybody's gotta consider if it's worth it for their specific application. But to just blanket statement "they suck and are useless" is inaccurate and misleading.
4runner1983
Junior Member
Sorry, but I have to disagree. Engine masters is hosted by David Freiburger and Steve Dulich, two highly respected names in the hot rod world.
The perform the tests on a super flo engine dyno and control for all variables.
Also, your battery STORES energy...when the fan comes on, the battery powers it and the alt simply recharges the battery over time. The 40a draw isn't 100% supplied by alternator.
The HP loss from mech fans are real and switching to electric will result in recapturing HP lost to parasitic drag.
Watch the episode you'll see
4runner1983
Junior Member
Also, dont forget that Toyota is a BUSINESS. They have to balance between a simple and cheap mechanical solution vs using electric fans, having to install uprated alternators, having to add another circuit etc.
It's not as simple as "well if the engineers did it, then it must be 100% logical and correct 100% of the time."
Your explanation does not incorporate the added expense of the electrical system required to run electric fans.
Everything is a compromise. And electric fan or not, Toyota will be able to say that the 4Runner makes 190hp/200tq so for sakes and marketing purposes it's fine to simply use a mech fan.
It's not as simple as "well if the engineers did it, then it must be 100% logical and correct 100% of the time."
Your explanation does not incorporate the added expense of the electrical system required to run electric fans.
Everything is a compromise. And electric fan or not, Toyota will be able to say that the 4Runner makes 190hp/200tq so for sakes and marketing purposes it's fine to simply use a mech fan.
Jackthewack
New member
the 3rd gen was started in the 90s how many 90s trucks/ suvs have electric fans??? the eclectic fan is a proven improvement that's why most trucks/suvs have them today. they would go to a more expensive redesign for nothing. the alternator draw is the dumbest argument ever that's not how alternators work. the electric fan is a great mod just make sure you have a good fan and shrouding is very important for cooling. clamming 90s outdated tech is better than modern day advancements is just absurd.
I installed the above mentioned Taurus fan on my Cherokee. It is an excellent fan and it moves much more air than any of the aftermarket junk. There are also some Volvos that use the same fan with a different shroud setup that may make them a little easier to adapt. You can also snag a nice fan relay off of a Volvo. The junk yard is your friend. I do prefer a mechanical fan because I can drive a lot farther on a dying battery than with an electric fan. The automakers like to go electric for packaging, cost, and/or fuel economy reasons.
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