Looking for some clarification here. For simplicity, when I mention pickups here, I'm only talking about the 4x4 version.

I'd like to add a condenser fan to my '94 Xtracab DLX (4x4 22RE M/T). Google returns a 2013 thread discussing how the parts store fan that claims it will fit the pickup and 4Runner does not actually fit the pickup unless you get the 4Runner grille, headlights, etc, but there seems to be some confusion with some people making it sound like an SR5 grille is shaped differently than a non-SR5, which I don't think is the case. I imagine the only difference between an SR5 and a non-SR5 as far as the grille goes is the SR5 vehicles only came equipped with the chrome grille, whereas non-SR5 vehicles sometimes got the chrome package and sometimes had the black grille.

I can sorta understand this for the '92-'95 4runners since those probably have more space behind the grille since those years used modern flush fitting headlights instead of the old sealed beam lamps from before. So then did the '90-'91 4Runners that came with a condenser fan come with a different fan since they had the same style front end that the pickup had? Or is there more space behind the '89-'91 grille than the '92-'95 pickup grille? Would be awesome to have a factory style fan there, even though it doesn't look like one exists for my '94 pickup that will drop right in, but I've wondered how the earlier front end was able to accommodate one.

 

i see visual differences on the later model pickup. You see how the chrome grille bar goes under the grille instead of above like the others.

 

Hard to tell if the bottom edge sticks further back on one compared to the other without having them in front of you side by side, but I did throw together a comparison pic from parts store replacement images I found.

For condenser fan clearance, it might not be helping the '92-'95 grill having 4 mounting clip protrusions along the bottom instead of just 3 like the '89-'91 has.

 

These pics are from a 1990 4Runner that sold on Bring A Trailer a few years ago. So since the fan fits behind that grille, and that's the same grille as the '90-'91 pickups, I'm assuming it's only the '92-'95 pickup grille that can't fit the condenser fan behind it.

 

I would think youre correct about that, based off those pictures. So maybe the answer is a grill swap or aftermarket fan?
Now youve got me wondering why they engineered it out on the later trucks...

 

Yeah it's a strange design decision for sure. I'm curious how much the '92-'95 pickup grille would have to be trimmed to fit over the fan. Perhaps could trim the fan's rubber grommets that its bolts pass through to let the fan sit a hair further in.

I don't know if I would compromise by using a universal e-fan that sits directly on the condenser with the fan zipties. Not sure if those could/would somehow cause the condenser to leak, either miles down the road or immediately when trying to slip the ziptie through. Maybe it's feasible to use 2 smaller universal fans rather than 1 normal size? I am curious how much of a difference having a fan would make when sitting at a redlight.

Also, I just realized the '92-'95 pickup grille in that picture was upside down. Can't blame the guy taking the car part pictures because there's nothing about its shape that jumps out as directional up/down. Editing the pic now.

 

Adding this link to this thread to help anyone doing research on this. Found this on another forum and is excellent.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ac-...unner.1267094/

 

Excellent. So it all lies within the different shaped vertical brackets that attach underneath the hood latch, with some being shaped with a rounded passenger side edge to clear the AC fan and others being a simple rectangle shape that interferes when trying to mount a stock-style fan.

Bummer that welding is involved for the lower 3 mounting nuts, though I suppose one could drill holes and use longer bolts with nuts on both sides of the frame to allow some amount of fore/aft adjustment to the fan's position so that it fits to the condenser properly for good airflow but not so close as to damage it.

 

I'm in the middle of doing this on my 91 Pickup. However I'm going to use a SPAL Relay and SPAL Fan with some custom 3D brackets. I've sent back two fans already because they were just a fraction too large. I will post what I used when I complete it.