Beware Summitt Racing

[59Ranger92]

I'm not sure this is the correct forum for this subject but I wanted to post it to the group of owners it concerns. I recently decided to put a flex fan on my truck. The stock fan was cracked and it seemed a good time to try the flex to see if it helped any. I looked at the Summitt site and could not find a fan for my truck. So I emailed their Tech section and asked if they sold one and if so what did I need to order. They emailed me with two part numbers. So I placed the order. Things went down from there. Seems their site does not give you the option for a 4.0 in the 93 truck. It assums everyone has a 3.0 or a 4 cylinder. As you know the 3.0 is a clockwise rotating engine and the 4.0 is a counterclockwise engine. The adaptor to replace the clutch had left hand threads (3.0). I called on Saturday and Summitt sent the correct adaptor. I worried that the fan might be wrong so Monday morning I called the Tech section and the person I talked assured me the fan was right(it was wrong). The result was I overheated the engine. Just how severly is yet to be determined. After a battle I have the right fan and adaptor on the truck. So for all you 4.0 owners beware when you search for parts. They might assume you have the 3.0 in your truck and it will cause you heartaches.

 

[brinker88]

FLX-40 should be the correct part number. And FYI, summit DOES give the 4.0 as an option.

See link below and look at applications

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLX-40/Application/?query=Engine+Size|4.0L/245

Below is the install writeup here in the tech section. What Im wondering is how you wired the fan up. Did you wire it correctly?

http://therangerstation.com/Magazine/Summer2003/ElectricFanInstall.htm

 

[59Ranger92]

I am sorry I guess I did not make myself clear. I did not use an electric fan. I used a belt driven flex fan. After overheating my truck I called Summitt again. This time the tech I talked to looked at the site himself and agreed that he couldn't find a fan listed for my 4.0. He said the original tech probably assumed that since the flex fans were basically universal the 3.0 fan would work on my truck. That is why I wanted to write this post. It always irritates me when I call or go into a parts store and find counter help that doesn't know that an engine even has a fan. FYI I used a FLX-1517 17" fan, 851 adaptor and a 2" spacer. Thus far the truck is actually running a little cooler. I notice that when I crank the truck it seems to spin up faster.

 

[kryptonitecb]

This is why I don't trust any counter person without real experience.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[brinker88]

" uh, ayup! I think it'll work for ya, mister! "

Story of my freakin life.

 

[Explorin94]

I can't stand Summit and have not dealt with them for 12 plus years and never ever will. The wife had a 94 XJ Cherokee that I bought one of their headers for. Less than a year later the header rusts out, so I call them with the original date that I purchased it. They said that I would have to actually purchase the new header and then when the warrantied part arrived back at Summit my credit card would be credited, which I had no problem with. The new header was 20 or so dollars more than what I paid for it but didn't care as I would get my money back.....so I thought. Well I get the new header and install it and ship the rusted out one back. I was credited for the price that I originally paid for the rusted out one. So I call and talk with a customer service rep. This guy told me that they would only give me the price that I had originally paid and that was it. I told him that a warrantied part don't work that way and I needed the other 20 plus dollars that they owed me. I fought with this guy for over an hour to no avail. I then ask him to talk with his supervisor. He says that he is gone for the day and should be back tomorrow. I give him my number and tell him that I expect a supervisor to call me tomorrow and I will continue my discussion with that person. I wait for the call the next day and it never comes. So I call, I immediately ask to talk with a supervisor. I talk to a supervisor and proceed to tell him about my call with Randy. I tell him about the header and he said I was right and that would be credited immediately. I was on the phone with this last clown for over and hour and in under 2 minutes the problem is solved. They send me my credit and a "gift card", I sent it back with a not so nice note basically telling them to shove it up their ass. So Summit is a bad word in my household.

 

[brinker88]

If you know EXACTLY what you're looking for, they're okay. Other than that I dont bother.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you know EXACTLY what you're looking for, they're okay. Other than that I dont bother.

I bounce between them, Jegs, Streetside and the manufacturer's website if applicable and use them to check against each other to make sure part X will fit. Gotta compare prices anyway, one is never for sure cheaper than the other.

Of the three, I do prefer dealing with Summit though.

IMO all three of them it feels like you have to all but hack into their website to get to where you want to go though... there is tons of room for improvement.

 

[Tominator]

I've had various dealings with Summit for over 20 years and never a problem. Spent close to 10 grand with them and got lot's of tech and sponsorship help from them. Never a problem.

 

[59Ranger92]

My original idea for the post was not to dig Summit but to warn everyone that the potential for confusion exists with aftermarket suppliers. My experience with Summit on this transaction was a major irritation but I did get everything worked out. And it did take talking to a supervisor. The verdict is still out as to how much damage I did to the motor when I overheated it.

 

[69millwright]

well summit and their supplier for engines blueprint engines f!@#ed me over for 4grand.bought built engine and got 7000 miles then knocks lobe off cam(#8 cylinder exhaust) only thing either would do was send me a cam set for it.they both told me no metal pieces went into motor(roflmao i know this was a lie).3000 miles later and blows head gasket,both of them tell me its the others problem to deal with.after dragging both to court for this i was told i had to pay their lawyer fees if i wanted my engine replaced that was $1000 more no they didnt get money and i end up with a $4000 boat anchor bad thing is i dont own a boat.so i dont use them and never will recommend them to anyone no ever obama.guess i need a boat with a hole in it for my anchor to work good

 

[Psychopete]

How long was it over heating for? I've pegged a few that didn't grenade anything, think you have good odds if it wasn't over heating to hell. Hope nothing serious.

 

[scooter]

I have had several electric fan boo boo's. Mostly me forgeting to turn it on.
I have pegged my manual temp guage 280* mannnyyyyyy times, shes still running.


Todd S.

 

[59Ranger92]

Sorry guys I haven't watched this thread. I was crossing town when the temp gage started going up. I made one stop before I got to where I was going and it was noticeably overheated. But I sat there a few minutes before going on. The next stop was maybe 10 minutes down the road. But when I got there it was blowing in the reserve tank and grumbling at me like my wife does when I get her up early on Saturday. But as of now I don't see any obvious signs of damage. Right now I'm dealing with transmission problems in another thread. Thanks for your help.