tj electric fan setup

tjrider · 02-13-2012, 06:49 PM

I know a lot of you guys are running these, but I want to convert to an electric fan set up on the tj. I know I can piece something together cheaper than buying a "kit". But I don't know what all I need to make this happen. What switches and such do I need and what kind of fan should I run. I do have a 180 thermostat in now. Thanks guys

superjeep · 02-16-2012, 10:06 PM

Are you having it come on at a certian temp or off of a switch. I have mine on a switch so I can shut it off in deep water. my distributer is low on the engine. their is a bunch of ways to do it jegs has some good prices. If you get a bad fan (used junk yard fan) that works at first and goes out while you are out you are screwed. I had to find a junkyard and get a manual fan to throw back on the jeep to make it back to cincinnati after my electric fan locked up.

Shawn

underpowered · 02-16-2012, 10:14 PM

the ford taurus 3.8l fan is very popular for this kinda swap. they are 2 speed and have a very high CFM rating.

tjrider · 02-17-2012, 08:34 AM

I've been reading a lot about the taurus swap. I don't like deep water so probably no switch. I didn't know if anyone had used a fan from any local parts stores

carwash · 02-17-2012, 08:59 AM

Almost any fan is great, as long as there is a proper shroud. The taurus fan is the whippety **** for sure, especially if you pick up the offroad aftermarket switch/relay system.

But again, almost any fan, if shrouded correctly is good to go.

Trigger · 02-17-2012, 09:09 AM

I ran one out of Crown Vic that worked pretty well. Never had an issue with overheating.

humpy · 02-17-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carwash

Almost any fan is great, as long as there is a proper shroud. The taurus fan is the whippety **** for sure, especially if you pick up the offroad aftermarket switch/relay system.

But again, almost any fan, if shrouded correctly is good to go.

X2 on the shroud... I have seen quite a few electric fan setups still let motor over heat because shroud wasn't up to par... It took me a while to realize thats why one o mine was overheating

fmlewis · 02-17-2012, 01:09 PM

I run the Taurus fan on my 258 CJ. It works great. There is a lot of trimming that you need to do to the shroud to make it fit but it is an awesome fan. You can pick them up all day at Pull and Pay for about $25 and they come out pretty easy, 2 bolts and its out.

It is a very tight fit.

As far as relays go I think I'm running a 40amp (may be bigger, I just made sure the wires running into the relay were at least 12ga) relay for high and a 20amp for low. Again I picked up a pretty sweet relay rail down there also with relays for dirt cheap down there. I even think the lady at the counter let me have it no cost. I believe it came from a buick or some gm vehicle.

I ran the fan for awhile on just a switch and it drained my battery fairly often, because I basically ran it full time. So I ran a thermostat from Advance and it works great.

You definitely want to consider upgrading the Alternator if you go with the Taurus fan. On high it will drain the battery in about 15min. I haven't upgraded yet but I plan to.

tjrider · 02-17-2012, 06:37 PM

I've read that the low speed is more than enough to cool a 4.0. I don't want to mess with a new alternator right now. So everyone just made a relay kit? I was hopin to just buy some kind of cheap off the shelf setup.

fmlewis · 02-17-2012, 07:59 PM

You can buy a relay kit pretty cheap but it won't come with a thermostat probably. Advance has a few relay kits but your better off buying a kir that can handle high or just make one in my opinion.

itbrokeagain · 02-17-2012, 10:34 PM

I have 2 electric fans from front wheel drive v8 caddys. They move lots and lots of air. $20 each

tjrider · 02-18-2012, 10:47 AM

A 2 fan set up, or 2 separate fans? How did you wire them up?

cmartin · 02-18-2012, 01:32 PM

I have the taurus setup on my 304 and low keeps it cool almost all the time. If i do use high it only takes a minute to bring it back down. Both high and low are switched on my cj

tjrider · 02-18-2012, 01:45 PM

My main concern is I'm not that good at creating an electrical system from scratch. I have no idea where to start wiring this thing up......:confused:

Coppertop · 02-18-2012, 03:47 PM

I purchased a electric fan relay kit from OREILYS a few years ago.The kit had everything you needed including the thermostat.The price was under 30.00 bucks.The taurus fan is a great choice.You should have no problem finding one at you-pull since there always at least twenty cars in the yard.

Nick

cmartin · 02-18-2012, 04:57 PM

http://www.ado13.com/techs/relay.htm

is the relay wiring diagram for the high speed relay. I used a 75 amp relay from ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BOSCH-TYCO-R...-/290499370197

A on off on heavy duty switch and a 20 amp relay from a parts store for the low speed. Both are wired from a switched 12 volt source. The hot side of the relay came from a power block i had from my tbi wiring harness. Get one while you are at the pull and pay. They are on all of the 90's chevy trucks. It made it look alot cleaner when the wiring was finished. Plus gave me a few more hot spots for other stuff

Im not a great person with diagrams but there is only 4 wires to deal with per relay. I did have a buddy that helped and once we got started it wasn't bad to do

TomH · 02-18-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmartin

...I used a 75 amp relay from ebay...

That's an HD Truck relay available at Freightliner, Peterbilt, etc. O'Reilly's can get them from their DC, but it's not really a stock item. I have one in the WTF-J and it provides peace of mind knowing that the relay won't cook when I need it most.

cmartin · 02-18-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomH

That's an HD Truck relay available at Freightliner, Peterbilt, etc. O'Reilly's can get them from their DC, but it's not really a stock item. I have one in the WTF-J and it provides peace of mind knowing that the relay won't cook when I need it most.

I went big on the relay and wire for that same reason

cmartin · 03-01-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjrider

My main concern is I'm not that good at creating an electrical system from scratch. I have no idea where to start wiring this thing up......:confused:

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop...4_wpRWsQ&gl=US

Saw this today. It seems easier to wire. Funny a taurus fan and volvo are the same

tjrider · 03-03-2012, 08:32 PM

Hopefully heading to the wonderful upull tomorrow. AKA: wheelers paradise... So I'm looking for a dodge ram alternator and either a volvo or tuarus fan?..... Might possibly snag an astro steering box for the future front stretch too

tjrider · 03-13-2012, 10:31 PM

Had to look through 10 tauruses to finally find a good fan I can use. It was the last one I think. Picked up a durango 160 alternator to for $20. Not a bad score. Even had it tested and it works! Double bonus

tjrider · 03-17-2012, 10:51 AM

Found a company out of texas that makes a wiring kit with a single sensor for $94. Minus a toggle. Not a bad deal I think, probably gonna order one

Coppertop · 03-17-2012, 11:53 AM

No luck finding anything local??

Nick

tjrider · 03-17-2012, 01:18 PM

Never really found any direct fit harnesses. This one basically a plug and play. Most of the ones around here are "universal", and this thing pulls some juice. So I don't want to be sitting on a trail with a burned up jeep

jlynch · 03-17-2012, 06:15 PM

This works I have done 4 like this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmartin

http://www.ado13.com/techs/relay.htm

is the relay wiring diagram for the high speed relay. I used a 75 amp relay from ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BOSCH-TYCO-R...-/290499370197

A on off on heavy duty switch and a 20 amp relay from a parts store for the low speed. Both are wired from a switched 12 volt source. The hot side of the relay came from a power block i had from my tbi wiring harness. Get one while you are at the pull and pay. They are on all of the 90's chevy trucks. It made it look alot cleaner when the wiring was finished. Plus gave me a few more hot spots for other stuff

Im not a great person with diagrams but there is only 4 wires to deal with per relay. I did have a buddy that helped and once we got started it wasn't bad to do

02-13-2012, 06:49 PM	#1
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	tj electric fan setup I know a lot of you guys are running these, but I want to convert to an electric fan set up on the tj. I know I can piece something together cheaper than buying a "kit". But I don't know what all I need to make this happen. What switches and such do I need and what kind of fan should I run. I do have a 180 thermostat in now. Thanks guys __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

02-16-2012, 10:14 PM	#3
underpowered They call me......Scuba Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Burlington, KY Posts: 292	the ford taurus 3.8l fan is very popular for this kinda swap. they are 2 speed and have a very high CFM rating. __________________ beat up rusted out k5

02-17-2012, 08:34 AM	#4
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	I've been reading a lot about the taurus swap. I don't like deep water so probably no switch. I didn't know if anyone had used a fan from any local parts stores __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

02-17-2012, 08:59 AM	#5
carwash pimpin' IS easy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Union, KY Posts: 3,344 Images: 605	Almost any fan is great, as long as there is a proper shroud. The taurus fan is the whippety **** for sure, especially if you pick up the offroad aftermarket switch/relay system. But again, almost any fan, if shrouded correctly is good to go. __________________

02-17-2012, 06:37 PM	#9
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	I've read that the low speed is more than enough to cool a 4.0. I don't want to mess with a new alternator right now. So everyone just made a relay kit? I was hopin to just buy some kind of cheap off the shelf setup. __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

02-16-2012, 10:06 PM	#2
superjeep Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 88	Are you having it come on at a certian temp or off of a switch. I have mine on a switch so I can shut it off in deep water. my distributer is low on the engine. their is a bunch of ways to do it jegs has some good prices. If you get a bad fan (used junk yard fan) that works at first and goes out while you are out you are screwed. I had to find a junkyard and get a manual fan to throw back on the jeep to make it back to cincinnati after my electric fan locked up. Shawn

02-17-2012, 09:09 AM	#6
Trigger Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 281	I ran one out of Crown Vic that worked pretty well. Never had an issue with overheating.

02-17-2012, 01:09 PM	#8
fmlewis The best damn Engineer!!! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fairfield Posts: 135	I run the Taurus fan on my 258 CJ. It works great. There is a lot of trimming that you need to do to the shroud to make it fit but it is an awesome fan. You can pick them up all day at Pull and Pay for about $25 and they come out pretty easy, 2 bolts and its out. It is a very tight fit. As far as relays go I think I'm running a 40amp (may be bigger, I just made sure the wires running into the relay were at least 12ga) relay for high and a 20amp for low. Again I picked up a pretty sweet relay rail down there also with relays for dirt cheap down there. I even think the lady at the counter let me have it no cost. I believe it came from a buick or some gm vehicle. I ran the fan for awhile on just a switch and it drained my battery fairly often, because I basically ran it full time. So I ran a thermostat from Advance and it works great. You definitely want to consider upgrading the Alternator if you go with the Taurus fan. On high it will drain the battery in about 15min. I haven't upgraded yet but I plan to.

02-17-2012, 07:59 PM	#10
fmlewis The best damn Engineer!!! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fairfield Posts: 135	You can buy a relay kit pretty cheap but it won't come with a thermostat probably. Advance has a few relay kits but your better off buying a kir that can handle high or just make one in my opinion.

02-17-2012, 10:34 PM	#11
itbrokeagain Just Empty Every Pocket - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Amelia Posts: 1,435	I have 2 electric fans from front wheel drive v8 caddys. They move lots and lots of air. $20 each __________________ 91 fj 80 on 37 Nitto Muds with a 10k winch. Cage and sliders coming soon.

02-18-2012, 10:47 AM	#12
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	A 2 fan set up, or 2 separate fans? How did you wire them up? __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

02-18-2012, 01:32 PM	#13
cmartin Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: miamisburg Posts: 191	I have the taurus setup on my 304 and low keeps it cool almost all the time. If i do use high it only takes a minute to bring it back down. Both high and low are switched on my cj

02-18-2012, 01:45 PM	#14
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	My main concern is I'm not that good at creating an electrical system from scratch. I have no idea where to start wiring this thing up......:confused: __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

02-18-2012, 03:47 PM	#15
Coppertop XJWHEELING Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colerain Township Posts: 837	I purchased a electric fan relay kit from OREILYS a few years ago.The kit had everything you needed including the thermostat.The price was under 30.00 bucks.The taurus fan is a great choice.You should have no problem finding one at you-pull since there always at least twenty cars in the yard. Nick __________________ Just a 200 dollar cherokee that wouldn't start .. Ten years later same chrome grille .. Last edited by Coppertop; 02-18-2012 at 05:14 PM.

02-18-2012, 04:57 PM	#16
cmartin Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: miamisburg Posts: 191	http://www.ado13.com/techs/relay.htm is the relay wiring diagram for the high speed relay. I used a 75 amp relay from ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BOSCH-TYCO-R...-/290499370197 A on off on heavy duty switch and a 20 amp relay from a parts store for the low speed. Both are wired from a switched 12 volt source. The hot side of the relay came from a power block i had from my tbi wiring harness. Get one while you are at the pull and pay. They are on all of the 90's chevy trucks. It made it look alot cleaner when the wiring was finished. Plus gave me a few more hot spots for other stuff Im not a great person with diagrams but there is only 4 wires to deal with per relay. I did have a buddy that helped and once we got started it wasn't bad to do

03-03-2012, 08:32 PM	#20
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	Hopefully heading to the wonderful upull tomorrow. AKA: wheelers paradise... So I'm looking for a dodge ram alternator and either a volvo or tuarus fan?..... Might possibly snag an astro steering box for the future front stretch too __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

03-13-2012, 10:31 PM	#21
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	Had to look through 10 tauruses to finally find a good fan I can use. It was the last one I think. Picked up a durango 160 alternator to for $20. Not a bad score. Even had it tested and it works! Double bonus __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

03-17-2012, 10:51 AM	#22
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	Found a company out of texas that makes a wiring kit with a single sensor for $94. Minus a toggle. Not a bad deal I think, probably gonna order one __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....

03-17-2012, 11:53 AM	#23
Coppertop XJWHEELING Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colerain Township Posts: 837	No luck finding anything local?? Nick __________________ Just a 200 dollar cherokee that wouldn't start .. Ten years later same chrome grille ..

03-17-2012, 01:18 PM	#24
tjrider Join Date: May 2009 Location: fairfield Posts: 320	Never really found any direct fit harnesses. This one basically a plug and play. Most of the ones around here are "universal", and this thing pulls some juice. So I don't want to be sitting on a trail with a burned up jeep __________________ If you don't want it broke, don't let me drive it....