This topic has been discussed a lot, but I haven't been able to figure out a few things based on searches. I'd like to install an electric fan in place of the belt driven fan. Advance Auto Parts and Autozone both sell a variety of fan controllers. I'm not sure which one to get. Is there an existing temp sensor on the engine or radiator which can be used as a trigger for the controller, or does a temp sensor have to be added? If the latter, is there an unused port on the radiator or thermostat housing where the sensor could be installed?

Thanks.

 

I have mine set in one of fan shroud mounts but running shroudless but my fan is 16" and pull's 2500 fpm air and it's on a 22re but you might be able to do the same thing.

here's how mine is mounted I had to drill a hole in the center of the 4 that are on the mount from the factory to fit it on to the shroud mount if you get this kit you will see what I mean and it will make all kinds of since when you are looking at it in person.



This is the temp sensor and it slides into the water hose just put it in and slide the hose on to the radiator just keep the probe line from hitting the radiator metal really easy to install even though it sounds complicated.



Here is the probe kit I bought to run the fan the directions are easy to understand and will make more since to you then it may now but tell's you pretty much the same thing

 

are your sure that's not the probe type that pushes in between the fins in the radiator?

I had the same controller on my dual fan setup in my 82 Monte Carlo that I build a mean 4bm 350 for, and it called for the probe to be pushed into the fins of the radiator

 

YEP did it per instructions

 

Where did that kit come from? I find it hard to believe the temp probe for the ECU couldn't be used as in input to a controller. Sticking a probe in between radiator fins hardly seems accurate.

BTW the truck in question is a '95 4Runner.

 

Here you go

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DERAL...d=p3911.c0.m14

 

Yes, some fan controller installation directions suggest you push a probe thru the radiator fins.

 

Here's a little 'out of the box thought':

You want the fan to come on when the temperature of the coolant in the radiator is above a certain temp, not when the coolant leaving the engine is a certain temp. Reason being that the thermostat will regulate the engine temperature perfectly well as long as the coolant in the radiator is sufficiently cool to cool the engine as needed.
If you're driving at 45+ miles per hour, there's likely enough air flow across the radiator to cool the coolant so even if the water coming out of the engine is 200F, the fan doesn't need to come on since cool water is coming in to the engine as you think.
When under load, coolant can heat up quite quickly even at speed and if the coolant in the radiator isn't cool enough, the system quickly becomes heat soaked and you overheat.
Relying on a temp probe inside the thermostat / upper radiator hose will cause the fan to come on too soon, sopping up a few HP.
Using a temp probe strapped to the back of the radiator dilutes the reading since air-flow across the radiator will artificially cool the probe too.

You need to either probe the coolant from directly inside the radiator at approximately 1/3 - 1/2 from the top (means a bung welded to, and a temp switch screwed in to the radiator- kind of like all modern elec-fan equipped cars since 1980 or so) with an on temp of around 200 and off at around 180, or probe from the radiator outlet with an on temp of around 180 and off at 150.

Overall, you're not going to save any net horsepower with electric over the viscous coupled fan. Horsepower saved by not turning the mechanical fan is going to go in to the increased load on the alternator to recharge the battery after running the electric fan.

But I will admit that if you're doing water crossings, an electric fan is a must.

That's just my opinion though.

 

for you guys looking for an electric fan swap check my post here
mercury villager electric fan swap
this is the best option
done in my 4runner and works great even better than the taurus fan.