Need opinions on electric aux fans

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ScottyDog

ScottyDog

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Threads
63
Messages
709
Location
Queen Creek, Az
Hey guys,

I wanted to pose a question to the local members about running an aux fan. I saw the 80 that Bruno recently picked up from another member and it had a slim line type elec fan attached to the radiator.

I really don't have any over heating issues.. but it did run extremely hot about a month ago coming back from the Eastern Sierras. When driving around town it runs at normal operating temps between 190 - 200*, however when I came back from Bridgeport it was running between 215-235* between the stretch from Bishop to Lancaster... of course it was 100*+ outside but I had the AC off and the heater on to try and control it.

Some info on my 1997 FZJ80; I've owned this truck since 2008, PO replaced the radiator and installed a blue fan clutch, If I'm not mistaken in 2008 also. Also the waterpump doesnt' seem to be going out either. PO and myself have run nothing but Toyota red coolant and I flushed it about a year ago.

So I'm just wanting to see what others are running if anything and what types and brands to look at.

Thanks in advance,
Scott
 
Scott... I have an aux fan that I bought on eBay for like 12 bucks. I put it in front of the ac condensor and wired it up with a switch... That way I can run it whenever I want to. I was in Mammoth second week of July and came home during the day.. Never my first choice but had my dad with me. Had to be well over a hundred and we had nice cold a/c and temps of no more than 215 as soon as I saw the temps start to climb turned the fan on..still want to louver or put a vent in my hood.. S/C is peeling the paint but for twenty bucks and an hour of my time why not?? Believe it was a procomp fan or the wrecking yard at the end of lomita bl in Wilmington has a bunch of toyotas there and maybe you could score a fan there.. I bought a bunch of switches last time I went
 
calfj60 said:
Scott... I have an aux fan that I bought on eBay for like 12 bucks. I put it in front of the ac condensor and wired it up with a switch... That way I can run it whenever I want to. I was in Mammoth second week of July and came home during the day.. Never my first choice but had my dad with me. Had to be well over a hundred and we had nice cold a/c and temps of no more than 215 as soon as I saw the temps start to climb turned the fan on..still want to louver or put a vent in my hood.. S/C is peeling the paint but for twenty bucks and an hour of my time why not?? Believe it was a procomp fan or the wrecking yard at the end of lomita bl in Wilmington has a bunch of toyotas there and maybe you could score a fan there.. I bought a bunch of switches last time I went
Click to expand...

Scott,

I saw an electric fan at 4WP when I was there which looked bigger than the one I am running. I found this link from a guy selling these. More than the ones on ebay. They are nippon denso, not sure if brand matters though. He does not have anymore but he hays he can get more. I drive to Corona every other Friday to pick up my 9yr old and I could hit 212 -220 going uphill on the stretch between the 57 and 71 on the 60 eastbound. When the temps would start to climb the pusher fan would help cool down to 200 avg temp. I recently updated to landtank's blue fan clutch with 15K CST oil and I and I have not needed the pusher fan as it keeps it from 186-193.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/418023-oem-nippondenso-electric-fan-60-a.html

You can add a switch or have it come on when AC comes on.

Good seeing you man after what 20 + years?

Bruno
 
calfj60 said:
Scott... I have an aux fan that I bought on eBay for like 12 bucks. I put it in front of the ac condensor and wired it up with a switch... That way I can run it whenever I want to. I was in Mammoth second week of July and came home during the day.. Never my first choice but had my dad with me. Had to be well over a hundred and we had nice cold a/c and temps of no more than 215 as soon as I saw the temps start to climb turned the fan on..still want to louver or put a vent in my hood.. S/C is peeling the paint but for twenty bucks and an hour of my time why not?? Believe it was a procomp fan or the wrecking yard at the end of lomita bl in Wilmington has a bunch of toyotas there and maybe you could score a fan there.. I bought a bunch of switches last time I went
Click to expand...

Ok cool thanks.. good information... It's too dang hot today to scour the pick a parts... but maybe later this week.. I know I had the electric fan (6 blade) from my Jeep XJ, but I tossed it out when I bought the 80.. Didn't want to taint my Land Cruiser with jeep junk... Plus I think it was too deep and would be really tight fit...
 
fjc8871 said:
Scott,

I saw an electric fan at 4WP when I was there which looked bigger than the one I am running. I found this link from a guy selling these. More than the ones on ebay. They are nippon denso, not sure if brand matters though. He does not have anymore but he hays he can get more. I drive to Corona every other Friday to pick up my 9yr old and I could hit 212 -220 going uphill on the stretch between the 57 and 71 on the 60 eastbound. When the temps would start to climb the pusher fan would help cool down to 200 avg temp. I recently updated to landtank's blue fan clutch with 15K CST oil and I and I have not needed the pusher fan as it keeps it from 186-193.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/418023-oem-nippondenso-electric-fan-60-a.html

You can add a switch or have it come on when AC comes on.

Good seeing you man after what 20 + years?

Bruno
Click to expand...

Bruno, yea I think the fan clutch that I have is the same... Like I said it doesn't get too hot around town.. Its in extreme temps and long drives that it gets hot...

Yea, its a small world when you run into folks you went to school with 20+ years on a LC forum!!:p
 
Can't say I blame you... Silly hot today and that yard is all open and even on cool days gets really hot.. I was there maybe a month ago and there were like 10 previas so I grabbed a bunch of switches.. I looked on eBay and my 9 inch fan is now 23 with free shipping, FYI
 
calfj60 said:
Can't say I blame you... Silly hot today and that yard is all open and even on cool days gets really hot.. I was there maybe a month ago and there were like 10 previas so I grabbed a bunch of switches.. I looked on eBay and my 9 inch fan is now 23 with free shipping, FYI
Click to expand...

You know I didn't even measure... what would be the best size to fit the 80? 12" x 12" or would that be too big... I guess I'll take measurements today when I get home from work... Man I'm just dreading leaving the air conditioned office to go home!!
 
Is the temp needle actually rising or are you getting these temps off a ScanGuage?

My temp gauge was rising on any kind of incline on the freeway. Turns out my radiator was half plugged. New radiator and almost a year later and it's never moved, even when I drove it to work in Indio a few times this summer.
 
I got a Toyota fan that I bought from Cdan, but have been lazy and not installed it. I was ready to install it this weekend when I figured out my cooling issue was due to excessive mud in the front and nothing else.

Regardless its going in pretty soon.

Heres the thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/417902-overheat-no-more.html
 
After a trip up to BB my first summer 4wheelin LO with the cruiser I installed one with an ARB type rocker switch for the factory look.

For 4Lo climbing all day in the heat the aux fan helps a bunch, don’t use it much on the highway with the blue fan + oil mod but on the way back from Vegas I have run it couple times.

Consider the cost (fan, relay, switch) nice to have, think I spent $50 for everything with a good quality new fan of fleabay.
 
I have an ISSPRO electric Temp Guage w/270* sweep... So I have a better view of the true temp. The stock Toyota temp guage is always consitently in the middle... Funny thing is when I stopped in Lone Pine during the Sierra trip, the Toyota gauge wasn't showing it getting hot.. again in the middle. However my electric gauge was showing engine temp at 220*, I shut down to go in the restroom and when I came back the coolant was blowing out of my fill tank. I checked the temp gauges and it was spiking at 240*, but the Toyota one was still in the middle... WTH? I turned the truck back on to get air moving over the radiator and it climbed back down to 215* and pretty much drove it home like that... of course it spiked a few times back to 235 along the way home too.... just not exactly sure what causes it to do that.... Anyway, I think I'm going to try and check out the PAP in Wilmington Friday for a Toyota fan....



mattafact said:
Is the temp needle actually rising or are you getting these temps off a ScanGuage?

My temp gauge was rising on any kind of incline on the freeway. Turns out my radiator was half plugged. New radiator and almost a year later and it's never moved, even when I drove it to work in Indio a few times this summer.
Click to expand...
 
I think I'll do that too... I looked yesterday thru the AC condenser and I can see a little bit thru the radiator... But the condenser is full of bugs... Also my tranny cooler has more than few fins that really need to be straightened out a bit... Thanks for the reminder.

hntashdjian said:
I got a Toyota fan that I bought from Cdan, but have been lazy and not installed it. I was ready to install it this weekend when I figured out my cooling issue was due to excessive mud in the front and nothing else.

Regardless its going in pretty soon.

Heres the thread:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/417902-overheat-no-more.html
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Yeah not a big fan of stock gauge.. I have an autometer gauge and also saw 220 on my gauge but saw no change on factory gauge.. While you are at the wrecking yard look for a toyota switch fir the true factory look...
 
I am guessing you can get a used one for 20 bucks at the wrecking yard.. I got four switches for 9 bucks..
 
Per scangauge: 189-194* in normal ambient temps and normal driving. 207-213* towing the offroad trailer at 60mph on the highway in 100+ ambient temps. A/C shuts off at 226* IIRC. I have a new radiator, hoses, thermostat, etc and blue clutch with 15k oil. I removed the bullbar lights that restrict a little airflow to the engine and saw temps drop from 211 to 207* while towing in high heat. Don't know if this data helps you but the factory needle won't give you any useful info. It's basically an idiot light and won't move until your in the danger zone n
 
AdventureBuddies said:
A/C shuts off at 226* IIRC.
Click to expand...

That's correct. The A/C shuts off at 108'C (226'F) and then will come back on at 103'C (217'F).

I've used that little fact to 'calibrate' my temp gage a couple of times. Usually driving up the grade out of Baker going towards Vegas!

At least in my car, the gage has started to move off the middle toward the red but by that time there's not enough warning to change the situation.

I've got the resistors to the the RavenTai temp gage mod, but just haven't made the time yet. Also looking for a good, functional way to louver the hood.

Has anybody tried "lifting" the rear of the hood at the hinge bolts (near the windshield) and if so, do you think it did any good to reduce underhood and therefore water temps?

FWIW. Dan.
 
Dan, I know there is a great louver guy in Colorado... Been watching fleabay for some.. Since the truck needs paint not worried about cutting into it.. Haven't heard really good things/ heat reduction from that.. Will keep you in the loop..
 
This thread has sparked my interest in the aux fan concept. In 100+ temps when idling I dint get much cooling from the A/C though it very cold at speed. But question: is running the aux fan while moving at 70mph still useful or can it actually restrict airflow to the engine?
 
AdventureBuddies said:
This thread has sparked my interest in the aux fan concept. In 100+ temps when idling I dint get much cooling from the A/C though it very cold at speed. But question: is running the aux fan while moving at 70mph still useful or can it actually restrict airflow to the engine?
Click to expand...
I wouldnt run THE aux fan on the highway, there no point. Air will be flowing into the front.

My issue was that even at highway speeds, the car was heating up. The front AC condensor, and the tranny cooler were all clogged up with nasty mud. No air flow to the radiator basically. Check these out just in case. After taking the grill off, it made cleaning much easier.
 
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