Running without a fan

[TheCaptain]

The thermo fan clutch on my TJ has been slowly going out, not completely toast as it still functions, but noisy and not that efficient.
If I remove the fan clutch all together will this effect anything?  Concidering how it's -20ish the cooling effect of air over the rad would be sufficent I think?
Plus a bit more heat would be always welcome...

Lame idea?

[Rubi03 jef]

im thinkin the same .. mines almost shot and i just cant afford the 300$ to go electric  cuz that dumb holiday is just around the corner

maybe ill be a good boy and get a new fan in my stocking

[Immortal]

I wouldn't recommend it.... unless you have the $$ to replace the engine later. Just my humble opinion.......................................

[cLAY]

The Dodge diesel guys do this quite often. As long as it stays cool you'll probably be fine but if we get a big chinook you may have a problem.

[Immortal]

After running it with no issues for a week, or a couple of days.... do you think anyone of us is going to remember to fix the problem when the chinook winds roll in, and the temp jump from -20C to +15 in 2 days?
I don't think I would.... I would jump in the Jeep at 6:30 in the morn (temp -15.... ) go to work, and start 'er back up after work when it is +10. drive away... and 15 minutes later.... KA-BLOOOOOOSH!!!!
Your truck, your call.

Actually.... why am I trying to convince people NOT to do this? Do it, I'll come over and laugh and drink beer while you replace a motor.

Oh, oh!!!! Better yet.... Call up Chrysler, and tell them that you have a get product!! A completely stock XXXXXXX vehicle, BUT it is the cold weather version.... does NOT include a cooling fan.

again.... your Jeep, your call.

[Justink]

does yours have an electric fan?  if not get one from an autowreckers out of a cherokee modify it to work, and put it on a toggle,
My 0.02 cents

[JackstandJohnny]

this has been covered before justink. the cherokee fans aren't strong enough to cool a TJ/YJ. the XJ has a clutch fan as well!  what you want is a big ole' Taurus fan off a 3.8 V6. that puppy pulls enough CFM so you can cool you heep no problem. i will be doing this mod eventually as well.

[dunl]

The Dodge diesel guys do this quite often. As long as it stays cool you'll probably be fine but if we get a big chinook you may have a problem.

Hmmm.....toggle switch, or otherwise?

[TheCaptain]

I am wondering if I can just take the termo clutch out all together, yet still attach the fan blades back to the waterpump pulley?  Still run with the fan blade to draw cool air over the rad should a chinook roll in... hmm 

I agree with Immortal, if I'm dumb enough to blow the engine, I'll even supply the beer for the audience!  Haha

[Evil-Jeep]

I don't believe you can remove the clutch; however, you may be able to drill through the two different components and "lock" them in place with a bolt.

The only concern I would have, would be over cooling. I forgot to put the thermastat back in my wifes 07 JK and when the cold weather hit (-5), she got all sorts of trouble codes, as well as no interior heat. I would guess you would also loose a bit of gas mileage.

[Sprockett]

...on another note, if your clutch fan is making noise and you have suspicions that is going, you should replace it. When mine went in my YJ it tried to separate from the engine all together and took out the rad and notched the PS pulley. I wouldn't risk the extra headaches/cost if you can prevent it now.

[cLAY]

Ahh, the Taurus fan, pulls enough current to fry electrical systems that weren't designed for that kind of regular load....  there's another thread here on that somewhere.

I can attest to that. I've got one on my V8 ZJ and after toasting 2 alts I went to a dual battery system and a higher amperage alt to reliably run it.

[cLAY]

Hmmm.....toggle switch, or otherwise?

This was on the 1st and 2nd gen trucks with the viscous coupler thermostatic clutch. The fan simply spins off the clutch so its fairly easy to get on and off. You could even have it in the cab ready to spin on in case the temps warmed up.

No point with an electric one, it won't run unless it needs to. Guys with the older trucks were pulling theirs in the winter to save fuel and get the truck to warm up faster. Even when cold and unlocked the viscous coupler still spins the fan a fair bit vs the electric clutch setup on the 3rd gens which completely unlocks.