Has anybody replaced their clutch fan with an electric one? Does it help the gas mileage? Just curious before i waste money on something that doesnt work.

Fair amount of folks with older Yotas have; welcome to post over there too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I replaced my clutch fan with a Flex-a-Lite #295 dual electric fan. They refer to it as a 27" but it's actually dual 13.5"s. As far as mileage goes it might have helped 2mpg on the highway if I followed it close enough but my motivation was the ability to turn it off during high-water crossings. I've used this truck close to a dozen times to get to some low-lying family-owned property that floods when we get more than 3" of rain in a two-day period. As for other benefits, from what I've read nobody realizes the real torque gain until they put their clutch fan back on after years of the electric. It seems to be a big shock to them at how much torque it steals from the low-end. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Brew

I put a 295 on too, and did notice a mileage and power gain, and so, its perfect right? nope... the control module can get to hot, and go chernobyl, causing you to boil all of your fluids.

Flexalite was really great about making things right, and they sent be a spare module incase of an event later...

It also will help the AC and keep the transmission cooler too...

I had a controller go bad as well in the beginning and was told by Flex-a-Lite that it was a batch of controllers sourced from an outside sub-contractor that they knew had gotten into the market. They overnighted me a replacement VSC and I've not had a problem since however I too carry a spare in case I have a problem later. A spare variable speed control module(VSC) is ~$130. So this is not a casual expense to save a few mpgs but I agree that my AC is cooler(not cold) and my trans cooler likely gets a benefit. I also like watching it pull a shop towel into my grille from 10" away. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Brew

Are they hard to hook up,and how much does the 295 cost? Who sells them?
I've been wanting one for a while. My clutch fan feels like its a real drag on my engine, especially with the heat this summer. I replaced it last year, and it made a big difference, but, this hot weather is killin me!
Would be nice to loose that drag on the motor. Extra MPG wouldn't hurt either

Here's a link to Summit Racing where I got mine for ~$370 plus the $17 cab switch assembly. Like I said this is not a great "bang for the buck" mod unless you want it for other technical reasons. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

The fan was installed by a friend who runs an automotive serveice company and seemed fairly straight-forward using the included instructions. My only exception was we ran the controller wiring inside the fan-shroud using wire ties looped around the wire on the inside putting the large catchblock on the outside against the molded holes. This gave it a fairly clean look and should keep the controller and wiring out of sight and above most of the heat. Here are a couple of PICs:

Clicky 1
Clicky 2

Oh and you'll need some washers to use on the old studs left vacant by the removal of the OEM clutch fan. These studs have a non-threaded center section that won't allow the nuts to be tightened down without running out of thread. Use the same type and number on each stud or you'll be out of balance.

For more in-depth discussion, try searching via Yahoo or Google as I found 2 or 3 write-ups when I had the same questions. They were specific to Tacomas but seemed very similar. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> Good Luck. Brew

Back in the day when gas was too steep at 1.85 a gallon I figured I had to drive about 40000 miles to break even on the purchase as far as gas savings, but it might be sooner now... I think its about 32000 miles now with gas at the 3.00 mark

22500 miles is what i figured for myself, it sure is alot of money, im almost to the point where i want to sell my truck and get something thats more fuel friendly

Thanks for the info, Brew. It is kinda steep for a lot of us. Maybe tax return time I might can splurge.?? I think it would be a good investment, if you plan on keeping your rig for a while.
"J"