I hit a deer a couple of months ago and messed up my clutch fan....It is currently locked solid all the time....I was thinkin about fabbing up a elec fan setup....Would it be worth it? I know that the big fan turning the same RPM as the motor has to be killing some HP? Lemme know your opinions.

 

Get another mechanical fan. It is controlled by the ECU for optimal performance. There is no way any aftermarket electrical fans will keep up with the cooling in the summer. Yeah, I bet your fuel mileage is tanking if the fan is engaged all the time.

 

Yeah MPG isnt to good....a new clutch fan and schroud will be over $600

 

as far as I know (may be wrong though) there is not an electrical fan out there (yet) that will keep up with the current air flow of the stocker.

 

I know Flex-a-lite makes a setup for the 2nd gen trucks...wondering if i could make it work?

 

According to a previous thread, Flex-a-lite was working on a set up for the 3rd gens. They were trying to get around setting a code after the stock fan/clutch was removed. I haven't heard anymore about the progress though.

 

I asked flex-a-lite about when they think one will be made for the 3rd gens and they said about a year. that was 15 months ago and still nothing for our trucks. They said it can keep up with cooling until the truck starts to tow above 18k lbs. For a daily driver and no towing, I think a elec. fan would be good, but for anyone who is towing i dont think its a good idea.

 

Wish they would hurry up with something..lol

 

Diesel Power Magazine (Jun 07) had a good article on the installation of an electric fan on a 97 Ram 3500. It was a dual fan setup from Flex-a-lite and they claim a 27HP increase and a 6% gain in fuel economy. The fans flow 5,500 cfm at full power (more than enough). The highlights - fan can run at 100% even while idling in traffic, easy installation, adjustable thermostat, author confirmed a 3 mpg increase in milage, all attempts to overheat the truck failed. Looks like great way to increase HP and gas milage with the added bonus of increased cooling ability. Downside...only avail for '94-'02 at this time. As soon as they make one for an '06, I'll put my order in.

P.S. Looks like they carry a NEW Full Size Universal Truck Fan Part #294. Dimensions at first glance look like it would fit.

 

Yeah but im wondering if that the 2nd gen setup could be made to work on the 3rd gen

 

I had a Flex-a-lite on my (99) gasser.The problems!Temp. adjust not enough range,I was using a 160* and it would not turn down.Fab my own in line upper rad hose probe.The one supplied with kit is to be inserted into upper rad core....Not accurate.

 

I just installed dual electric fans on my 06. I took it to the track, and my time was .04 slower than my best, yet my 60' was .10 slower due to traction issues. With the same 60', I may gain a tenth. Other than that, I just wouldn't do it. My temps don't get out of hand in high heat, yet I don't pull with it either. Just a little advice from someone that's spent $608 on an electric dual fan setup.. Oh, and the code didn't start popping up right away for some reason.. I don't know why, but it comes on constantly now so I always have the check engine light on.

 

Where did you get this fan at? I am going to have to do something about my fan becasue it is killing milage and the **** noise of it running all the time iritates me....I think i can fab one up for less than 100 bucks using a fan off a wrecked maxima or something with twin fans....

 

the flex a lite part number for 1998-2003 dodge cummins is #262

Stats- RETAIL PRICE $786

CFM-3000-5500
Mounting surface required- 37.25x20.25x4.25
RPM-28-36
Blade (dual)- 15"

the ford powerstroke kit produces more CFM @ 6200

Part # 278

Stats-RETAIL PRICE $844

CFM-6200
Mounting Surface Required- 30x26.25x4.25
RPM-28-36
Blade (dual)- 15"

 

This was a dual fan setup that came out of a chevy truck with a 540 in it. I couldn't tell you what the original application was. The shroud had to be trimmed a lot to make it work.. I was going to run a 5500 cfm single fan out of a lincoln mark 8. This was until I realized it didn't work. Of course it was already mounted in the truck when the fan was first tried.. Kind of a bummer.