so as the truck is coming back together after the accident, i am posed with a question...should i put a stock fan and shroud in, or upgrade to a flex-a-lite electric? i was talkin to my friends engine builder, and he was sayin that a regular fan was probably better, but if i really want to reduce the pulling weight of a belt driven fan, i should go with a flex style fan, minus a fan clutch. im kinda confused about the issue. i was thinking that this would rob power down in the lower end, especially when im out wheelin. on the other hand, this man is VERY good with engines. he's a four time track champion at bandimere speedway, and has won all over the country. i just wanted to find out what ya'll thought before i made my decision. thanks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Fan clutch is much better than a flex fan. E-fan is OK, if you get a reliable setup, especially the thermo-switch (and in-radiator unit would be ideal). I ran a Flex-a-lite fan for a few years but went back to the stock fan/clutch for the reliability.

Having had a Flex-a-lite, I wouldn't choose that option. I do love my Taurus fan, though.

Mark

thats just the explanations i needed. thanks alot guys! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you are paying for the repairs out of your own pocket and want to save money buying a Black Magic E-fan will be a lot cheaper than replacing the stock shroud and fan/clutch(depending on how much was damaged in the accident). I haven't had any issues w/mine, and it runs all of the time. It comes complete w/an adjustable thermostat if you want to set it to turn on and off, but I haven't ever bothered setting mine. I figured with it running all of the time it is basically full proof.

x2
Local boneyard had them for $20.
Someone here showed me this temp switch for an on/off control:
Summit Temp Switch
And I'm using big relays from a boneyard Nissan to power it.

Low $$$ and very effective, who could ask for more?

I love my Black Magic fan. I only have to run it if i'm sitting in traffic and not moving air through the radiator. Or 4wheeling because moving slow, but even then it will kick on and off, mostly on. It helps a little bit in the power department/MPG (I emphisize a little) because it don't HAVE to run a fan. My truck stays cool just as long as it's not stopped.

The only downfall to the fan it that it is either on or off. There is no progressive speed in the fan. But that hasn't bothered me. Just something I would like.

But I would deffinetly go with somekind of Electric fan. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Not to hi-jack, but where did you install this do-dad?
(switch)

Drain plug in the block, threaded right in. I've got a thread on it here:my thread on this mod
I guess after surviving a South FL summer it's due for an update <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Also did this mod on my dad's 3.0 4runner.

Flex-a-lite has served me well so far. I only wish I had spent the extra cash and got the one witht he twisted fan blades advertised to be "quiet". When the flex-a-lite electric kicks on it scares small children and you have to wait for it to quit running to speak into any drive-thru.