electric fan or standared

[2lostspace]

Has any one put a electric cooling fan in there CJ? What is involved in doing this? Is it better to run the original one that came with the engine?

 

[coldwater]

Has any one put a electric cooling fan in there CJ? What is involved in doing this? Is it better to run the original one that came with the engine?

I have run various ecectric fans over the years with good results. There are quite a few options both new and swap in's from other models of cars and vans. Personally, I hate screwing around with "making stuff work" anymore, and just buy one off the shelf that fits. The installation is an easy and straightfoward deal, just remove the shroud and fan and spacers if you have them, and use shorter bolts to reinstall the pully onto the waterpump. Then you have several options depending on the fan you use. If you got a new one with a therostat, just push the sensor into the rad cooling fins, mount the little fuse block, and run a power line. All thats left is to mount the fan. If you want to (most guys do) you can cut a cab mounted kill switch into the line. This will allow you to cut the fan when doing water of sloppy mud crossings, and eliminate the flying mud and water all over holy hell from the fan blades. the conversions from other model vehicles is only slightly more involved, and may require a few extra parts to get done.

 

[2lostspace]

It sounds perty simple, are electric set up reliable as the belt driven fans? Would you have to take extra parts for it on the trail? I like the idea of the cut off switch.

 

[coldwater]

It sounds perty simple, are electric set up reliable as the belt driven fans? Would you have to take extra parts for it on the trail? I like the idea of the cut off switch.

If you buy a new aftermarket fan and install it correctly, taking proper care with the quality of your wiring, they are just about fool proof. I have never had one fail on me for any reason. As far as getting one from a wreck? It would most likely be as good as long as you used good discretion when you buy it, being careful to look for any damage of abuse. I'll even venture that they are more reliable than a belt driven fan, because the belt is the weak link in the chain.

 

[2lostspace]

Thanks CW for the info, I will look into it further I just have to think about the problems of shipping if something needs replaced.

 

[CJ]

A popular and almost bolt on electric fan for a CJ is a Ford Countour fan. Here are a couple of links.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/compatible-engines-69-cj-586/#post2449

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/useful-info-thought-id-share-665/

 

[fishinfool98]

I going with an Electric for the space issues
not that a 350 is that big I just want plent of room for turning wrenches

 

[BrockGrimes]

I've looked hard at a fan swap and have one in the works, I couldn't locate a contour but did come across a taurus fan, so we'll see how it goes.
My list of sh!* to do is getting longer. LOL

 

[Thorwon]

My 74 CJ5 (AMC 304 V8) had a cheep electric fan on it when I bought it. The electric would not cool it if I idled more than ten min. or was in stop and go traffic.
I removed it and went to a stainless flex fan.
No more cooling issues.
If you go electric get one that has flow enough to cool your engine.

 

[BrockGrimes]

Hence the popularity of the ford contour and taurus fans, 2000+cfm

 

[broteem]

[FONT=&quot]Jeep CJ Electric Fan is available with relevant brackets and with adjustable thermostat. Specifications are furnished below.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Part #[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]575/580 Jeep CJ[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Mounting Surface Required[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]26 1/4" x 15 1/2” x 2 5/8"[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]#blades/dia.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10/Dual 12"[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Airflow-Cu. Ft./Min. at 0º Static Pressure[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2500[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Amp Draw[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]19.5[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Mounting System[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Custom Brackets[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Adj. Thermostat 180º-240º[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]575: Yes / 580: No[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Air Conditioning Relay[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]575: Yes / 580: No[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]575 Replacement Parts (available for purchase separately)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Part #[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Description[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]30310K (2 req)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Motor[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]30332[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Control Module[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]30132K (2 req)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Fan Blade[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

 

[jeepthrills]

I have the above mentioned flex-a-lite set up in my scrambler. Works great...even in the Phoenix summers...with the A/C cranking and sitting it traffic.

 

[cj7Grim]

Very useful info thanks. I just got my first CJ7 today and cant wait to start playing with it tomorrow!

 

[BajaEdition]

welcome to the site, brand new CJ, here is a thread for you to read
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/what-do-after-getting-cj-home-3563/
good luck

 

[BusaDave9]

The problem with cooling an off road vehicle is it may be doing its hardest work at the slowest speeds. You also might have a winch mounted right in front of the radiator. The fan is important because there isn't always much air blowing through the radiator.
The good thing about an electric fan is it will always run fast even if the jeep is slowly crawling over rocks.
The good thing about a standard fan is reliability. If the engine is running the fan is working. (well I guess you could have a problem with the fan clutch)