Electric Fan

[levi.watson]

So I currently am running an electric fan on my 89 4Runner, 22RE. I would have stuck with the clutch fan, but mine was broken and I couldn't find one that fit the fan blades I had.

Anyways, while on a trip last weekend, there was some pretty steep terrain, I was in 4x4 low, and noticed that I was getting pretty hot. That was the first of three times that trip that I started getting too hot and had to shut off the car and leave the fan on for a bit to cool the engine down. Not a problem around town in the winter, but what happens in summer when it gets 100º+?

My question is this, what are the good electric fans out there? I know about Flex-A-Light, but I would rather not pay $370 for a fan... The one I have currently pulls around 675-800 CFM, there were two different rates on the website. Thanks for the help.

 

[levi.watson]

So this is the fan I'm thinking of going with, does anyone use it? It pulls 2500CFM, 16" wide.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2437869742&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

[tacotruck]

I haven't used the fan you linked, but I have used the OEM fan from a 90's Taurus. It flows something like 3000 CFM and is usually about $30 from the pick-a-part.

For controlling it (it's a two speed fan) I use a Volvo relay assembly with a BMW dual temp switch. Works perfectly but draws something like 40 amps.

 

[levi.watson]

I haven't used the fan you linked, but I have used the OEM fan from a 90's Taurus. It flows something like 3000 CFM and is usually about $30 from the pick-a-part.

For controlling it (it's a two speed fan) I use a Volvo relay assembly with a BMW dual temp switch. Works perfectly but draws something like 40 amps.

That sounds pretty good, but yikes! 40 amps is a lot. Thanks!

 

[KidVermicious]

Or here's an idea, and I know it's kind of radical, but hear me out... put the OEM fan and clutch back on.

 

[levi.watson]

Or here's an idea, and I know it's kind of radical, but hear me out... put the OEM fan and clutch back on.

Well I tried doing that originally, but I couldn't find the right clutch. Everyone had the same part number, and it didn't fit mine. The car was totaled Right when it was purchased, and I'm thinking that the guys who did the repairs didn't put the OEM one back in...

 

[BigRyan1986]

Well I tried doing that originally, but I couldn't find the right clutch. Everyone had the same part number, and it didn't fit mine. The car was totaled Right when it was purchased, and I'm thinking that the guys who did the repairs didn't put the OEM one back in...

Have you thought about useing one of them metal fans with the aluminum spacer? I had one that i was going to put on my 3.0 but i bought dual electrics from pull-a-part for like $40 i think. I aluminum spacer you will have to probably drill out the holes a little bit to get it to fit. Atleast thats what i was going to have to do.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

I've been running a Flex-A-Lite black magic fan for 10 or so years now in my truck, it does a good job and, knock on wood, it hasn't hiccuped once.

Having said that, I've had the dual fan Flex-A-Lite in my supra and the whole thing failed on me, and I ended up blowing the head gasket on the car.

Would I run it again, yes and no. Yes, I'd run their fans again, but I would not use their electronics again. The twins drew just over 40A and literally burnt the traces on the pcboard inside the controller. That's what killed power to the fans, which put me into the red, while sitting in traffic, not moving, with no ability to get off the road.

If you're looking at fans, you can try the Taurus fan from a junk yard, they have been proven to do well and are pretty stout fans, or you can look at Zirgo fans. they have a 16" fan that does 3,000cfm, and isn't that expensive.

No matter what fan you go with, I would definitely suggest getting one of these for a controller:

Electronic Fan Controller 70 Amp

Yep, the controller's as expensive as the fan, but IMHO, the controllers even more important than the fan itself! With a good controller, you'll keep the fan from burning up, and you can dial it in to exactly how you want it to work.

This controller can operate the fan at two different voltages, so you can spin the fan at a lower rate when its cooler out. When you need extra cooling, it will adjust and push full current to the fan for max cooling.

For 250 bucks, you're still cheaper than the Flex-A-Lite black magic fan!

 

[Night_Wolf84]

The P.O. of my Runner installed a useless 8'' E-fan from the parts store. Soon after I got it I put in Flex-a-lite's 2800 cfm straight blade E-fan for a while. It did great in slower situations, like stop and go traffic and off road. However, when it was 90+ degrees outside, 85% or higher humidty, and going above 50 mph, my temp. gauge would always start going up.
Now, I believe the OEM temp. gauge was reading incorrectly, as it IS a 20+ yr. old truck, but even still I decided to go back to good ol' stock belt driven. So far I haven't seen my autometer temp. gauge go over 200 degrees.

 

[RAD4Runner]

Or here's an idea, and I know it's kind of radical, but hear me out... put the OEM fan and clutch back on.

YES!
E-fans are intended for performance. Lighter load on engine, but not reliable as O.P. has found out.
OEM fans are built for reliability. After 30 years, the liquid coupling may degrade, but it's inexpensive and is easy to remove and replace.

 

[Tinman1985]

I run an electric fan out of a volvo. You can get the fan and relays from a wide range of years of Volvo, from a pick-a-part. All you will need is some wire and a switch and it'll work. Total cost was around $50. The volvo fan is a tad narrower than the taurus fan, and can be made to work with a 3-core radiator (clears the water pump by about 1/4").

In hindsight after the amount of cutting and fitting making sure nothing rubbed, an OEM clutch would be easier. I just got bored and wanted something new. I did seem to notice a slight increase in throttle response, but then again the 22re has no power, and it's probably all in my mind.

 

[levi.watson]

So if I wanted to run the clutch fan, which fan blades should I order? When I ordered the clutch that everyone said to get, it didn't fit my blades at all...

The clutch fan does sound like the way to go, and this was the only reason I didn't do it earlier.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

I have a 5M version for sale right now, getting rid of old parts I'm not using from my supra. IIRC, the two fans/clutches are the same. If you wanna come by this week and see if it fits, I might have a little time towards the end of the week.

You still have the stock fan shroud, right? You NEED the fan shroud for the fan to work correctly, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

 

[levi.watson]

I have a 5M version for sale right now, getting rid of old parts I'm not using from my supra. IIRC, the two fans/clutches are the same. If you wanna come by this week and see if it fits, I might have a little time towards the end of the week.

You still have the stock fan shroud, right? You NEED the fan shroud for the fan to work correctly, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

OK, awesome! I'm not sure on the fan shroud.... I'll have to look around for it. Knowing me, I probably threw it away hah.

 

[Kean]

You still have the stock fan shroud, right? You NEED the fan shroud for the fan to work correctly, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

^^^^^this.

I'm surprised no one mentioned it earlier. This also can affect the efficiency of your A/C especially at lower speeds or while stopped.

The shroud for my '86 is a two piece design and I believe it is the same for your '89. They are not that expensive and would definitely install one if you don't have it.

 

[levi.watson]

^^^^^this.

I'm surprised no one mentioned it earlier. This also can affect the efficiency of your A/C especially at lower speeds or while stopped.

The shroud for my '86 is a two piece design and I believe it is the same for your '89. They are not that expensive and would definitely install one if you don't have it.

Good to hear. I'll look for mine for sure. If I don't have it, is this one looking like it's the right one? I hate ordering things and getting the wrong one.

 

[Kean]

Good to hear. I'll look for mine for sure. If I don't have it, is this one looking like it's the right one? I hate ordering things and getting the wrong one.

I couldn't tell you without researching myself. My '86 is a two piece design (lower part is a separate piece). I have no idea what design changes (if any) were made on later year 1st gens.