Harris
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2008
- Messages
- 77
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Blakely, Georgia
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Manual
I know there is an article in the tech section already, but I kinda just wanted some feedback on what you guys think about my install. I highly value your opinions on Ranger issues.
I was at the junkyard Monday getting in some much-needed shopping when I figured an electric fan would maybe help add a little horsepower to my '94 Ranger. The little 2.3L needs all the help it can get, plus a little added fuel efficiency wouldn't hurt either. Anyway, I measured my radiator and struck out looking for something close.
I found a 2002 Pontiac Montana with a fan that looked pretty close to what I needed so I pulled it. I checked to see if it worked and gave the junkyard owner $8.00 for it. If you do decide to get one like I did, make sure you remember to get the snap-together coupler with the wires, too.
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/harris3810/?action=view¤t=SlightlyUsedElectricFan.jpg
I pulled the old fan/clutch assembly out, along with that aggravating fan shroud.
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/harris3810/?action=view¤t=OldBelt-DrivenFan.jpg
To my amazement, when I lowered the fan into place behind the radiator it was a near perfect fit. After cleaning the fan and its housing with Bleach-White and a brush I gave it a good shot of Turtle Wax Ice to make it look a little better.
I used longer-than-original bolts to hold the top and bottom in and a 1/2 inch PVC coupling sawed in half and painted red to conceal the gap from where the fan didn't mount exactly flush.
I also painted the metal cover over the fan motor red. Go Dawgs!
Now that the easy part was over it was time to wire it up. There was a good grounding spot right next to the top of the radiator on the driver's side, so I used that. I ran a good 10 gauge wire around the battery and to the power distribution box. A relay from an F-150 came in handy and everything tucked nicely into the box. Since I did not have a thermostat switch I simply wired it up to run when the key is on. To remedy any future problems I put a small unobtrusive switch in the cab so I can turn the fan off if I need to. The wires going to the switch can easily be re-routed through a temperature switch when I get one, but so far it's working fine.
Fan: $8.00
Misc. Electrical Stuff: $3.00
(Most of this I had laying around. If you went out specifically to buy the electrical items you could expect to pay around $10-14.00.)
Paint: $4.44
PVC Coupling: $.21
Time: About 2 hours. Next time I could do it in one.
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/harris3810/?action=view¤t=ElectricFanCleanedandInstalled2.jpg
Maybe someone can learn something from this post or someone can offer me some advice on how to do it better next time.
I was at the junkyard Monday getting in some much-needed shopping when I figured an electric fan would maybe help add a little horsepower to my '94 Ranger. The little 2.3L needs all the help it can get, plus a little added fuel efficiency wouldn't hurt either. Anyway, I measured my radiator and struck out looking for something close.
I found a 2002 Pontiac Montana with a fan that looked pretty close to what I needed so I pulled it. I checked to see if it worked and gave the junkyard owner $8.00 for it. If you do decide to get one like I did, make sure you remember to get the snap-together coupler with the wires, too.
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/harris3810/?action=view¤t=SlightlyUsedElectricFan.jpg
I pulled the old fan/clutch assembly out, along with that aggravating fan shroud.
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/harris3810/?action=view¤t=OldBelt-DrivenFan.jpg
To my amazement, when I lowered the fan into place behind the radiator it was a near perfect fit. After cleaning the fan and its housing with Bleach-White and a brush I gave it a good shot of Turtle Wax Ice to make it look a little better.
I used longer-than-original bolts to hold the top and bottom in and a 1/2 inch PVC coupling sawed in half and painted red to conceal the gap from where the fan didn't mount exactly flush.
I also painted the metal cover over the fan motor red. Go Dawgs!
Now that the easy part was over it was time to wire it up. There was a good grounding spot right next to the top of the radiator on the driver's side, so I used that. I ran a good 10 gauge wire around the battery and to the power distribution box. A relay from an F-150 came in handy and everything tucked nicely into the box. Since I did not have a thermostat switch I simply wired it up to run when the key is on. To remedy any future problems I put a small unobtrusive switch in the cab so I can turn the fan off if I need to. The wires going to the switch can easily be re-routed through a temperature switch when I get one, but so far it's working fine.
Fan: $8.00
Misc. Electrical Stuff: $3.00
(Most of this I had laying around. If you went out specifically to buy the electrical items you could expect to pay around $10-14.00.)
Paint: $4.44
PVC Coupling: $.21
Time: About 2 hours. Next time I could do it in one.
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj33/harris3810/?action=view¤t=ElectricFanCleanedandInstalled2.jpg
Maybe someone can learn something from this post or someone can offer me some advice on how to do it better next time.