I'm considering a fan conversion on my 97 F150 4.6 4X4. I've been looking around and so far haven't seen anything that looks like a better deal than the kit from troyer performance. Has anyone installed this or other kits? I've done this on other smaller trucks before with single fans and adjustable controllers bought from parts stores and was happy with the results. But for this truck I definitely want dual fans with dual temp control. Any thoughts on this???

 

I have their dual fan kit on my '97. It has GREAT instructions, only problem they seem to have is the controllers, and everyone has controller problems. They will burn out every now and then but Troyers will work with you if they burn out. After buying that kit I bought a fan and relay controller from them for my Grand Marquis and it also works great. You can piece together a kit cheaper but if you have no idea how to wire it up and mount it it is worth the extra cash to get their kit and learn how to do it all then you can piece together kits later for other vehicles and know what you are doing. I'd recommend the 2pc. UD pulley kit as well since you will already have the radiator out and fan off.

I also gained 1.8mpg and enough power I could feel it. The only thing I would do different is mount the fans totally externally, they come with these pins you put through the radiator. I never had a problem with them but I still don't like sticking things in the fins. I would make a metal bracket to hold the top and bottom of the fans and bolt it to the header some how if I did it again.

 

I installed the dual fan set-up on my truck and it fit right in the shroud mounts and has no pins through the rad. I've had it now for 4 years and no problems.

 

Is the quality of the parts better than the stuff you can buy from autozone or napa? Thats where I've bought fans & t-stats from in the past. But I like the idea of a complete kit delivered to my door from a reputable source, as long as it's worth the price.

 

It is the Flex-A-Lite fan and I think it is good. I watch my temp gauge and it never moves once it's at it's operating temp. My truck has a oversize rad in it and so the fans don't come on much unless the defrost is on or it's idling for a long time.

 

so with a crank driven fan/belt driven its always going, how do you guys have the electronic fans controlled? Just flip it on when you are in traffic, or a different computer controlled way? Im curious because the idea sounds sweet.

 

The controllers kick the fans on at a set temp. I have mine set at 200 & 215 degrees.

 

You can assemble an OEM quality Fan kit for your truck easily.
I used a Tbird 2-speed fan(had a spare one around),and cut the fan assembly from it's shroud. I then mounted cenetered in the OEM truck fan shroud with some spacers I made from aluminum rod. I drilled and tapped the rod,and used machine screws to hold it in place with a bit of loctite for security. You can get a nice multi temp fan switch from alot of parts stores-I picked up one with a 3/8" NPT threaded temp sensor,and it has a 30A relay with a A/C clutch input for pulling on the fan when the A/C cycles. I use that 30A relay to trigger a 100 amp Bosch relay since the 30A would meltdown in a short time from that fan. I've had it on the truck for 2-3 years now and have driven right at 100K miles with it on the truck with no issues at all-even towing the 30' travel trailer in the Texas summers. Your best bet for assembling a kit on your own is to use a OEM fan assembly to start with-they have much more powerful motor assemblies and will last-unlike those Flex-lite and Derale fans.
JL
edit:
Here's the controller I use:

It's the Derale #16749-thisis the least expensive place I've found it:
http://www.amazon.com/Derale-16749-Control-Thermostatic-Adjustable/dp/B000A8JILO/sr=1-41/qid=1168350811/ref=sr_1_41/104-6629025-8052750?ie=UTF8&m=A1MK3HAFHEKCQU&s=automotive

I use this relay for the fan power feed:
http://order.waytekwire.com/IMAGES/M...og/219_061.PDF
It's the 100A part that I use.
JL

 

The troyer kit is not a flexalite kit, they piece it together with derale fans, I am not sure what brand the controller is but it is adjustable which makes it nice, most controllers have a preset in them and can't be adjusted manually, instead you have to move the temp probe around in the radiator until you find the sweet spot. You also have to remove the shroud with troyers.

They come on a few different ways, there is the temp. you adjust them to then there is a wire you can hook up to the AC circuit and will make 1 come on when your AC compressor is on OR you can take that wire and hook it into a switch in the cab and turn a fan on at your leisure. I'd suggest adding at least 1 switch on one of the fans, they each have their own controller, and add indicator lights for both of them so you know when they are on.

 

I'd use Mike's fan if I could do it all over again:
http://www.madenterprise.com/fan_control.htm

From his site:
The end result, shown below, is a system that will control either a two speed fan or dual fans independently. With the additional temperature switches, the low speed or first fan will turn on at an adjustable temperature, (I have mine set at 180 with a 170 thermostat). The high speed or second fan turns on at a fixed 205. The low speed or second fan will also turn on when the A/C condenser temperature demands it. As a result, at speeds above 40-50 mph, the fans shut down completely.

 

I have 2 Hayden 14" Fans and the Hayden Fan Contol I'm going to install this weekend, I'll let ya'll know how it turns out. I ended up paying $160 for ALL of this, instead of the outragious amount of $400 or $500.

 

After looking at some of the options talked about here I think I'll do what I usually do and work up my own set-up. I'm an aircraft electrician/mechanic, and somewhat of a jack of all trades, so I'm confident I can put together what I want. I was thinking of buying a kit so that I could avoid adding another project to my already long list. But oh well, I'll start gathering parts.

Does anybody have any idea's on what make/models of vehicles that would have used OEM 16 inch fans. I've got a good friend in the salvage business.

 

sweet got 2 love FTE

 

Late model Taurus', Crown Vics, Mustangs all have efans but I'd go with 2 new 16" fans from summit or some other site, they can be had for $60 a piece fairly easily. You should be able to put a 2 fan 2 controller kit together for around $200.

 

Jimbo8
I put together a spreadsheet a few years back to build a controller. Only built one but it works flawlessly. I did the design because all the aftermarket I have used are very sensitive with adjustment. (and I wanted to) I was able to limit the range to a min and max desired. for example, fans could not turn on before 170 and would turn on by 230. the pot adjusted between. Used a quad op amp so mutli outputs available from the same sensor with a few extra resitors and caps. Adding inputs like A/C or switch just as easy. Used Radioshack in stock parts. If you wish I will dig around for the spreadsheet.