Hi everyone,
I have a 2001 F150 Crew Cab with 107k miles. Vehicle has been excellent with only one irritation: the fan clutch. I have gone through 3 so far in the last 2 years. I heard that going to electric can increase MPG by 2 or 3, and increase torque by 15-20.

Has anyone here installed a electric kit? Was it easy? I've been looking at Jegs:
http://www.jegs.com/p/Flex-a-lite/Fl...50890/10002/-1

and from Summit: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FL...ize|4.6L%2f281

They are both ~ $500+. Are there any other options besides these 2 kits?

 

I wouldn't plan on an increase in MPG or torque. It will make the truck a lot quieter though at idle.

 

Flex a lites are popular but I think they are way over priced. My first set up I went with a Troyer Performance kit, my second I just bought the controllers from them and bought the fans separate. They will free up some hp and torque but I wouldn't expect 15-20. I gained 1.8mpg. Another plus to them is when you need to work on the front of the engine, be it a belt replacement or an accessory, it is super easy to get to everything with that clutch fan gone.

 

Thanks for the replies. Do you have a link for the Troyer Performance? Just wanting some options in choices. Also, anyone have instructions on removing the clutch fan? The last cars I worked on were from the late 60's early 70's.

 

I just did the conversion. I purchased 2 16" fans and a controller from Autozone for $150.00. I did add 2 additional fuses to the controller for a few $ more.
Installed in about 4 hours.
Works great.

By the way - the wire you need to connect to for the A/C compressor is in a bundle that comes up over the front of the passenger valve cover. It was the light grey/white wire on mine.

 

http://www.troyerperformance.com

Clutch fan is easiest removed with the clutch fan removal tool. Some fan cowls will show the thread direction. I can't remember if mine was right hand or left hand thread.

 

I thought they were all left hand threads, that basic design has been use since the 80's, maybe longer. Usually always a knuckle buster getting those stupid things off. If mine ever goes, I'm going electric.

 

Mine was a normal right hand. Loosened to the left.
With the tool to hold the pulley, mine came right off with a good adjustable wrench.

 

YUp I justed pulled mine off this past weedend and installed troyer 16'' fans so far its great a/c works better more power and better mpg so far. i have a 2000 f/150 4x4 and the fan is normal when taking it off its lefty loosie!!! it was stuck on real tight but ffinally got it off...

 

hard to believe some "engineer" actually got a paycheck for coming up with that design...guy should be shot. I am a Ford man, but some of their "better ideas" leave me shaking my head and cussing...

 

Hehe. I think its an okay design when it works. I've gone through 3 fans already. I still don't like how they work when its cold. For example, this morning when I went outside to go to work, it was 45°F. While driving, the fan is engaged until I hit about 1800 rpm's then turns off and stays off while its cold outside. As soon as the temps start to climb say to 70, it will engage when I come to a stop even after moving at highway speed.
Since my last fan had a warranty, I got it replaced for free from the auto shop. If it fails again after the warranty (12 months), then I will spend the money and go electric. I believe all the newer Ford trucks are now electric. Can anyone confirm that?

 

Yes the 2010 F150's have electric fans. VERY good idea in my opinion!

 

How is the best way to go with an electric fan retrofit for my 1998 F250? Is that an expensive cure? Also...I am getting psyched up to replace the fan clutch assembly on the 5.4L in my truck. I have an annoying squeal and grind sound on start up that eventually goes away when it warms up. I replaced the alternator, but the sound stayed. I think it is now the fan clutch...I can grab the blades and move the shaft of the clutch side to side. A hard noise to diagnose accurately, at least for me. used to be a car mechanic in another life...would have grabbed the old timers for their take on the noise location, but do not have that luxury now. Just do not want the blades to come lose and take out stuff under the hood. Any ideas on the noise? New serpentine belt...new alternator..thanks. I am seriously considering taking a hacksaw to the clutch shaft in order to at least get the assembly out of the way so I can then take an impact with a large socket to the rest of the thing left on the end of the water pump...damn engineers...am I crazy?

 

I had an F150 in today with the same complaint, 4.6 screeching squeal on cold start, and on decelleration after tip in or goosing the throttle at Idle. Goes away warm. That sound projected itself all over the place and very difficult to isolate. Owner had replaced the alternator, tensioner, belt, routing idler and was about to replace the compressor but brought it in for us to look at first. I had to let it get cold a couple times to get it to do it consistent enough to figure it out. And indeed it turned out to be the fan clutch. Replaced it and all is well. I wouldnt replace it with an electric.

 

My 2001 has a factory fan clutch with 200k miles. I have never had a failure of a fan clutch with less than 250k miles. Three clutches on one truck is not normal. What is wrong with that? I also agree, the electric clutch will do nothing for you. The fan clutchs are normally thero controlled. As the fluid heats up, it expands and drives the fan thru friction. To those that think the fan "cuts in and out with RPM" how does it do that??????