Selecting an aftermarket electric fan for my Ranger

[LonesomeSTX]

This is a mod I have wanted to do since we got this truck. I have got the fan shroud issue worked out so now I need to select a fan. I was going to go with this one because the local parts store has it in stock. But damn it is expensive; especially after I buy the controller.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...285&keyword=electric+radiator+fan+-+universal

I found out recently that Amazon sells auto parts so I checked them out and found this.

http://www.amazon.com/PROCOMP-ELECTRIC-COOLING-AUTOMOTIVE-RADIATOR/dp/B003U7REDG/?tag=959media-20

Now that is only an example but the price difference is enough to get my attention. I also like the fact this it is lighter weight than the fan at the parts store. This Ranger has AC with a 3.0 and a five speed. I do go off road but it is a two wheel drive and I do not get into low gear high revving situations. Just dirt roads in the woods. I will be tuning 31 inch tires soon but they are not real aggressive. I occasionally pull a trailer but I do regularly haul hay and feed in the bed. So I do not need a super high output best on the market fan. But I do need one that will work for more than just city driving. Any suggestions on which direction I should go?

 

[PanamaExpat]

The fan in the Amazon ad is OK if you want to buy a new one every year. They sell that same cheap fan here and they don't hold up well.... You get what you pay for. Probably your best retrofit electric is a Taurus fan. Several guys have done this mod and there are several threads detailing this if you use the search.

Here is a thread pointing out the obvious advantage of using the Taurus fan. http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12272

 

[shane96ranger]

I am in the middle of a Taurus fan swap on my Mustang. After tons of research, I kept coming up with the same answer. So I made it fit in my shroud. It pulls way more air than the old fan clutch style ever thought of. I am also using Volvo relay and BMW switch - also using an amp wiring kit. I am into it about 45 dollars so far.

Sent from the can

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I am with you on getting what I pay for. That is why I had to ask before I bought it. I figured some one here must have tried it. Man, I really want to use an OE style fan and the Taurus fan is at the top of my list. But I have had enough of digging through the local salvage yards trying to find a good one. They are just not plentiful here. And to make it worse, when I have found one that seller wanted a stupid amount of money for it. After all the time an months of searching i have put out. I could have made a simple aluminum shroud and bought a decent after market unit and installed it by now.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

That fan mod looks good. Is that an Fox body?

 

[LonesomeSTX]

Never mind, I see your avator now.

 

[shane96ranger]

You can also use a dual fan from a Contour. They are a B*#@4 to get out though.

The Lincoln Continental with the 3.8 uses the same fan as the Taurus. It mounts slightly different than a Taurus, but overall it's the same unit.

Also, the Mark VIII fans will work, but they pull a lot more power than either of the fans above. I hear the Volvo relay won't work with it. In fact, the only controller I know that will work is one of the Delta kits, and they are pricey.

Read this for some great info on what I am doing. It is where I got the idea:

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200028

This is the relay out of a 95 Volvo 850.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I have a Mark VIII fan that I had hoped to us eon our F250. I tried to mock it up in the Ranger just to see if it would fit. But it looked as htough it required way to tto many mods to fit.

Is there a way to use only OE Ford parts? Like OE relays and so on?

 

[shane96ranger]

Not that I am aware of. Ford uses the ECU to control the fan, IIRC. That makes it difficult to use all Ford parts. I also read that BMW and VW are the only two that make a single sensor with 2 temp switches inside.

You can always use an aftetmarket set-up. I read tons of complaints about relays burning up and such though. This excludes the Delta kits though - I read nothing but good about them.

Sent from the can

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I see. I only ask becuase if I am going to use an OE fan I want to spend the time to make it look as factory as possible. I want people to look under the hood an dnot even notice the mod.

 

[shane96ranger]

Exactly what I wanted to do. I want as little evidence as possible.

Sent from the can

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I just cannot find one around here. I am so sick of dealing with what should have been a simple project. If I do not find one in the rear close future, I am installing an aftermarket fan.

 

[4.0B2]

Taurus 3.8L fan FOR SURE!
can be found new for $85...

 

[LonesomeSTX]

But does that include all the stuff I need to make it work?

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I have been digging around on here and found several threads about the Taurus fan. But i have not seen any with installed photographs in a Ranger like mine. I really want to see how the shroud is done.