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Electric fan to replace mechanical fan

3K views 31 replies 13 participants last post by  narnwv 
#1 ·
So I have a 2001 Wj 4.0 and i'm pretty sure my cooling fan clutch is failing, as it stays engaged at all times, and at all speeds/RPM's. So i was looking at replacing the fan clutch itself, and then i started debating other options, such as replacing the mechanical fan with an electric one and just wiring it to a switch on the dash. I also contemplated just removing the mechanical fan and just running the electric one, although i don't wanna risk overheating.

My main reason for swapping out the fans would be to gain a little more power... which i know this has been a debate on here in a couple of threads already, but heres how i know i will gain some power.
- Starting a couple months ago(when I'm guessing the fan clutch started failing) everytime my engine would get around 3000 rpm, my belt would start to squeal.. after investigating it more i noticed when the belt started to squeal the fan would quit accelerating in speed although the engine would continue to accelerate, so i figured the fan was causing the belt to slip on the pulley. well when this would happen, my jeep would lunge forward more and get a little boost. so i am pretty sure i can get some more power

Another reason is because a new fan clutch is $55 around here, and i thought that maybe i could find a decent electric fan for the same price if not cheaper.

SSOO..... What fan would be good for this? are there any replacement kits? is there a specific vehicle i could pull one off of that would work in place of the mechanical one? how should i mount it? what have other peoples' experiences been with this??

just looking for some tips or advice before i start into something.

Thanks in advance! Jeep on!
 
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#4 ·
Yeah I have both, but the electric fan isn't designed to pull enough air to the engine on its own... So I wanted to replace the mechanical one with a larger electrical one. Something of that sort, or can I just pull the mechanical one ?

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#6 ·
Jaspah said:
...Yes it is. The mechanical fan was only bundled with 4.0 WJ's equipped with the tow package. It's completely optional.
My WJ does not have the tow package and it has a mechanical fan.
 
#7 ·
When my electric fan disintegrated, I replaced it with a mechanical one. I am much happier with the mechanical one that is always moving air. I've been through 3 South Texas summers with it, and even drove 560miles through the "badlands" to El Paso. Never got above normal temp.
 
#8 ·
Well I don't haul anything with mine, most of my driving is 55mph+ so I'm not worried about it over heating... If I feel it is getting too warm then I might put a cooler thermostat in, but now I'm thinking of just pulling the mechanical fan altogether and see how that goes for now,

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#10 ·
Why do you think a cooler thermostat would help? Whether you have one that opens fully at 175, 185 or 195 your engine should never get much above 210. If it overheats above 220 it doesn't matter what thermostat you had in because it was fully open by 200.

Also your engine is designed to run at a certain temp. Running a 175 may not allow your engine to reach peak temp during cold weather leading to poor performance and bad fuel economy.

.
 
#18 ·
I might be all wet, but in the MJ/ XJ world guys will remove the mechanical fan and replace them with an electric duel ford Taurus fan. They fit right in.. Their motive is to gain back the power the engine used to run the fan. I imagine they'd be the same way in the WJ.
 
#22 ·
#28 ·
So Iam just a confused , I don't thank you just remove your hydraulic fan, and replace it with an electric duel ford Taurus fan
and''''' did you install it, right on the back of the existing electric fan ??? . So whats wrong with this picture , is it that, the stock
Jeep electric fan sucks , or you have two electric fans stacked on top of each other ?? Some one please clarify , no one has said to
remove the stock jeep fan '' at all . Just the Hydraulic one .
 
#32 ·
Correct. My 2000 had an electric fan and the mechanical fan from the factory. The hydraulic fan didn't come out until 01.

Details are in my build thread, although there have been some changes since.

Those with the hydraulic fan: you will get a CEL if you remove it. It's the best setup for cooling, so fix it if it's broken.

Typing on phones sucks.
 
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