Which electric fan fits the best?

[steiner_5000]

I'm building an overlander 2000 explorer and am looking to convert to an electric fan. I would like one that is as near bolt in as possible to the stock radiator shroud. Mainly, I would like something OEM quality that I could find at any local part store in case mine blows out while I'm in the middle of a trail far from home. Has anyone found anything that works well? I've read about the Taurus fan but it seems like trimming and cutting is needed and I don't want to have to do that in the middle of a trail. I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death but I couldn't find the answer I needed from searching.

 

[RonD]

You wouldn't need the stock shroud
The point of the shroud is because each engine models mechanical fan sits at a different spot in relation to the radiator, and it sits back away from radiator a bit, depending on if radiator is single or double core
Without the shroud the fan would pull air in from the sides, engine bay air, and not pull it thru the radiator to cool it.
The shroud also holds in heat so the fan clutch can function better
When driving, air is forced thru radiator by speed of vehicle, so fans only use is when under say 20MPH or when stopped

2000 Explorer, V8 or 4.0l?

This Volvo fan comes with a good size shroud that should fit most radiators: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/volvo_electric_fan.shtml

You can also get radiator with shroud and electric fan at wrecking yard, so its a stock factory setup you just need to adapt radiator brackets

 

[bobbywalter]

Trim and cut it. Then get a spare motor

 

[fastpakr]

I'm my research I never found one that seemed like a good quality reasonably bolt in solution. A lot of people mentioned the Contour fan in forums I checked, but when I got my hands on one it wasn't even close to fitting without a ton of hacking.

 

[rubydist]

I have used both the Taurus and the Volvo fans and found both to be fine. The Taurus one needs to be the 2 speed unit from the 3.8 engine vehicles. The Taurus unit moves more air, but makes more noise. Its reasonably easy to make either shroud work, and as was mentioned above, once you have the shroud fitting, if the motor goes bad you put a new motor in the same shroud you already have modified. I find the Volvo relay setup the easiest to use. If you follow the instructions on the tech page on this site, you will want to add another relay that makes the fan run on low when the a/c is on, even if the coolant temp does not demand that.

 

[steiner_5000]

I guess that's a really good point only replacing the burned out motor instead of the whole unit. Never thought of that.

 

[bobbywalter]

I guess that's a really good point only replacing the burned out motor instead of the whole unit. Never thought of that.

Still sux to change on the trail ...but takes up less space.

I run the intech v8 fans....they are pretty good with the diesel.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I'm building an overlander 2000 explorer and am looking to convert to an electric fan. I would like one that is as near bolt in as possible to the stock radiator shroud. Mainly, I would like something OEM quality that I could find at any local part store in case mine blows out while I'm in the middle of a trail far from home. Has anyone found anything that works well? I've read about the Taurus fan but it seems like trimming and cutting is needed and I don't want to have to do that in the middle of a trail. I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death but I couldn't find the answer I needed from searching.

I bought a spendy all inclusive kit on ebay, and still had to modify some of the electrical stuff. Speakin of which, should something go wrong on the trail, it is most likely to be something else in the electric fan system besides the fan itself. A well placed fuse will protect the fan. But if you do want something easily replaceable, get a derale or something from a chain auto parts store that will be easily found again in the future.

 

[Blmpkn]

Personally, with a vehicle that could be hundreds of miles away from being able to get towed if something were to fail... id rather have a mechanical fan.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Personally, with a vehicle that could be hundreds of miles away from being able to get towed if something were to fail... id rather have a mechanical fan.

+1. I ended up going back to mechanical.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'm my research I never found one that seemed like a good quality reasonably bolt in solution. A lot of people mentioned the Contour fan in forums I checked, but when I got my hands on one it wasn't even close to fitting without a ton of hacking.

Contour fans are nearly drag and drop for a foxbody, that is their claim to fame.

I would run mechanical if I could, actually a lot of international overlanders prefer them too for their reliability and simplicity.