As you may have read, my flex-a-lite decided to stop working last week on its own accord. (Break downs never give you written notice and tend to love to happen at the worse possible time.)

So with some help from dad, we spent Saturday yanking out the flex-a-lite and replacing it with a new yota fan and shroud attached with an autozone clutch. Here are some quick observations.

While it was easy to remove the flex-a-lite. replacing it with the cluthc driven fan was much more challenging. We tried in vein to do so without removing the radiator, but eventually conceded the fight and just yanked it out. Actually once we removed the radiator, access was greatly improved to the clutch fan mechanism.

Step #1: REMOVE Radiator
Step #2: Install clutch without fan
Step #3: Install fan blade (for those of you that have not seen it, the fan has a ring around it as a one piece unit)
Step #4: Place top main shroud over fan
Step #5: Replace Radiator
Step #6: Attach shroud to radiatior
Step #7: Attach lower shroud to upper shroud

Not too big a problem, but we tried and tried to install the clutch fan assembly as one unit without removing the radiator and there just is not enough clearance. By removing the fan from the clutch you can get the clutch installed and then attach the fan, but then you can't get the shroud placed correctly. It was quite frustrating, but all in all, removing the radiator is pretty quick.

But this brings me to an observation/question. HOW THE HECK do you replace the various belts without having to remove the radiator. The belt won't go over the fan, so I got to remove the fan. I just don't see anyway around having to remove the radiator to replace the various belts (ac, pumps, etc) This seems like a real PITA on the 3.0. The flex-a-lite had a definite advantage in this regard, too bad the damn thing didn't work.

JJ
'91 4Runner
3.0 V6

 

ive replaced my belts without pulling the fan. it just slips over the top.

and i have been able to remove and instal the fan by takeing the 4 nuts off the flange that holds the clutch to the fan bracket. So i remove the fan and clutch as a whole. never had a problem doing it that way.

 

Wow! I'll take a picture of mine, but either we have a different fan or your hands are way smaller. Does your fan have the large ring around the blades?

I just saw no way to do it, but if it can be done, that will give me some more inspiration to try.

JJ

 

When I installed my Flex-A-Lite fan I didnt take the radiator out. I took it loose to move it around an inch or to. It was a tight fit dont get me wrong but i was able to get the fan out without removeing the radiator. ive never really working in a 4 runner engine compartment but it would beleive it to be close to mine. I have a 91 truck with 3.0. The fan has the same ring you are talking about.

 

You don't have to remove the fan to change belts. And you don't have to remove the radiator to pull the fan. Just like snap on said, the clearence is tight but you have to take the 4 bolts loose from the pully to the clutch. The belt will slip over the fan, try it.

 

ya 4runner has a ring around the fan, the PU doesnt. but it really doesnt matter.

I just fish my open end down there and loosen them up then back them off with my fingers.

Its tight but ive always been able to do it.....

 

My fan had a ring around it and its a pu.