LS 400 vs LX470 Fan Clutch

[looking4lc]

Hi All,

a group of middle eastern has some discussion installing LS400 fan clutch on lx470, though it is more expensive than lx470 oem but thay said its quieter, and lighter on the truck which makes it worth it, however, summer is coming up and i dont wanna have heat issue here with 120F temperature.

has anybody tried it? whats your insight? are they any mechanical issues if i install one?
i know it fits perfect on the lx without any modification but i was wondering why factory didnt have better fan clutch, what is the reason behind the lx clutch with high sound and heavier acceleration!

your recommendation is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[94SRUNNER]

I've not heard of this modification. It would be a pricey experiment though. Lexus offered 2 fan clutch options for the late model LS400, 16210-50021 @$296.55 and 16210-50061 @ $294.88 (states it is for a tow package equipped LS400).

Toyota (the factory) designed the fan clutch for the LC/LX470 around a specific set of parameters. It seems to work pretty well state side, as long as it isn't past it service life and the rest of the cooling system is well maintained. The fan clutch on the 100 doesn't seem overly heavy and I can't imagine the LS400 fan clutch is that much lighter? And I haven't though it to be overly loud either? Could be wrong though...

 

[looking4lc]

well i can get the LS fan clutch for cheap to try it out, my question is if doing that will I face coolant issue in the long run?

 

[Bardiya]

I've heard of this mod but can't comment on the performance.

 

[abuck99]

The LS definitely wont have the same cooling needs as the 100 based on its duty cycle- designed around fuel efficiency, lighter load, no 4wd. I think you’d be going in the wrong direction with the LS fan clutch-If anything you’d want less slip under hot conditions, not more-and all that requires is a heavier viscosity fluid. But not sure what your ultimate goal is?

There is lots of info over in the 80 forum on modding the fan clutch. The “blue” fan clutch that comes in 100 4.7 is a bit light imo for built trucks- which is why some of us have pulled them and added heavier fluid (and more volume too).

 

[CloudCity]

Are you trying to reduce the actual mechanical sound the fan makes or the whooshing roar sound it makes on start-up? I would think the loud air noise is a result of it pushing lots of air across the engine.
As far as weight savings, I wouldn't personally be concerned over the slight difference between the two on a massively heavy offroader, the weight difference would likely be less than that of a full beverage tumbler.

 

[reznunt]

The LS definitely wont have the same cooling needs as the 100 based on its duty cycle- designed around fuel efficiency, lighter load, no 4wd. I think you’d be going in the wrong direction with the LS fan clutch-If anything you’d want less slip under hot conditions, not more-and all that requires is a heavier viscosity fluid. But not sure what your ultimate goal is?

There is lots of info over in the 80 forum on modding the fan clutch. The “blue” fan clutch that comes in 100 4.7 is a bit light imo for built trucks- which is why some of us have pulled them and added heavier fluid (and more volume too).

How's your aisin fan clutch with 20k cst doing? Getting prepped to do my fan clutch and fan bracket with TB service.

 

[DuckLN]

Pushing air onto radiator cooling fins

 

[looking4lc]

thank you all for your inputs, my first though was not to risk it with different clutch but I wanted to hear from others

 

[CloudCity]

Pushing air onto radiator cooling fins

Really? I always thought a fan pulled air through the radiator and moves it back towards and across the engine? You're telling me the fan blows against the natural flow of air when driving? I find that odd.

 

[abuck99]

How's your aisin fan clutch with 20k cst doing? Getting prepped to do my fan clutch and fan bracket with TB service.

Working fine- so far. It roars on start up and the fan stays hooked up for a few minutes longer during warm up than it used to- its more similar now to our GX460 which has a heavier (more aggressive) fan clutch. Engine temp is roughly the same, trans temp slightly lower but honestly I havent pushed it hard enough to tell or really wheeled it since I did that job end of August. The real test comparison will be in Silverton this July. The long climbs tend to push trans temps up and engine temps up.

 

[GTV]

Try it out. Monitor temps. Let us know how it goes.

 

[94SRUNNER]

Really? I always thought a fan pulled air through the radiator and moves it back towards and across the engine? You're telling me the fan blows against the natural flow of air when driving? I find that odd.

You are correct. The fan pulls air through the radiator and the other heat exchangers.

 

[DuckLN]

Through the radiator? Like magic?

 

[CloudCity]

Through the radiator? Like magic?

I was under the impression that while radiators look solid there are actually many air gaps between the cooling fins and the tubes, and they work by generating air flow through these openings. The folded fins are essentially there to increase surface area for faster cooling that pipes alone let's say. As I said, just what I always assumed and never had a reason to second-guess it before now.
Now I CAN see how a mud-clogged radiator wouldn't allow air to flow through.

 

[J1000]

The LS400 fan/clutch sounds like it either has less drag in the clutch resulting in lower fan RPM or a lower pitch on the fan resulting in less air flow/less drag/less noise. Or maybe both. Sure, sounds like a good upgrade for the drag racer, probably not for the sand dune guy. For my money I'd rather go with electric fan conversion: Electric Cooling Fan Conversion - 2007 LX470

 

[hoser]

@J1000 For my money, I'd keep it stock. 7 decades of Land Cruisers.... none came stock with an electric engine cooling fans. I bet the 300 series will also have a clutch fan. Reliability and field repairability over efficiency and noise is the Land Cruiser mantra. Don't get me wrong, I like electric cooling fans too. I have them on all my road vehicles.

LS430/460 have electric fans. Mercedes G-wagen..... clutch fan. Mercedes S-class, electric fan. If a clutch fan fails and I could convert it to direct drive pretty easily.

 

[J1000]

Different schools of thought for different folks. If you want to leave it stock why are you perusing threads like this one? Your 100 is completely stock? Unmodified? I doubt it.

 

[hoser]

Yes, I certainly enjoy upgrades.

 

[abdamn]

Hi All,

a group of middle eastern has some discussion installing LS400 fan clutch on lx470, though it is more expensive than lx470 oem but thay said its quieter, and lighter on the truck which makes it worth it, however, summer is coming up and i dont wanna have heat issue here with 120F temperature.

has anybody tried it? whats your insight? are they any mechanical issues if i install one?
i know it fits perfect on the lx without any modification but i was wondering why factory didnt have better fan clutch, what is the reason behind the lx clutch with high sound and heavier acceleration!

your recommendation is appreciated.

Thanks

I guess I am facing the same issue here. Yes I did the same and it was costly. My experience was the worst. I use to hear a loud fan noise and low accelerating power. So I bought a brand new fan clutch from the dealer. Unfortunately it was the same sound. Someone advised to change it to used ls 400 fan clutch which I did and it gave me a heating issue. Then I replaced with the used one of lx470 and it worked.
But now after three months the same sound came again and u know especially in winter we as in Arab country use to hit the off roads more often. The sound is weird as like m driving a school bus. It really irritates me I just hate driving it. U cannot rely on the brand new the clutch is very hard which is made by Toyota. I need help