Has anyone installed a Derale D20161 electric cooling fan kit?

[GTERDN]

Hi and wondering if anyone has installed electric fan setup in a 2004-2206 TJ I6. We do a lot of desert & rock crawling and looking to help keep the temps down. They are a bit expensive but do come with all pieces and offer a ‘plug-n-play’ replacement over the belt fan solution. I’ve read a few mixed reviews on their electrical not being up to the task so curious on any issues with the relay, or temp switch which is a 180-200 working reliably and how long have you been running it?

https://derale.com/product-footer/e...965800353/6-compact-thermal-fan-clutch-detail


Thanks

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Edit: my mistake I misread your post and thought you were asking about an electric fan type cooler used for your transmission.

As below, you want to keep your radiator's serpentine belt driven cooling fan stock. Going with an electric radiator fan would be a big mistake and a downgrade in both reliability and cooling ability.

 

[CodaMan]

Take a look at this

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-transmission-cooler-on-your-wrangler-tj.590/

 

[CodaMan]

hahaha @Jerry Bransford beat me to the punch

 

[GTERDN]

Thank and I read & commented on your write up. I'm looking at switching my radiator fan from pully to electronic and looking at their D20161 unit. I have the PSC MBC100 and was considering replacing with the D20561 to free up airflow in front but based on your write up and my long-arms, I'm keeping the MBC100 in place (it uses both the radiator and the two cooling plates). The tranny seems OK but my water temp goes up a above 220+ (not above 240 yet) when pushing it or doing a lot of crawling and think the fan may be very helpful for consistent airflow or at least I hope — that is if the product is any good

 

[GTERDN]

here is link to the MBC100 to get an idea of the footprint it takes up — it does allow airflow so I'm not complaining as it's worked well just want to add a margin of protection overall.

https://www.pscmotorsports.com/moto...ooling-components/cooler-kits/psc-mbc100.html

 

[LONGJP2]

Most here will tell you the stock (engine) cooling setup works the best for the stock engine.
Feel free to experiment and report back.

 

[never monday]

Most here will tell you the stock (engine) cooling setup works the best for the stock engine.
Feel free to experiment and report back.

Not so much in the desert at low rpms. High air flow is moar better

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Most here will tell you the stock (engine) cooling setup works the best for the stock engine.

X2.

 

[Mrhp]

Not in my experience when towing my trailer up steep mountain roads or during low-speed crawling on warm/hot days.

The OP is replacing the belt driven fan, with an electric fan, not adding a trans cooler. Get with the program Jerry!

 

[GTERDN]

Not in my experience when towing my trailer up steep mountain roads or during low-speed crawling on warm/hot days.

The OP is replacing the belt driven fan, with an electric fan, not adding a trans cooler. Get with the program Jerry!

I assume Chris? Chris did you decide which you're going with or are you fab your own?

 

[Chris]

I'm looking at switching my radiator fan from pulley to electronic

Terrible idea, and a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I wheel in Arizona where it regularly exceeds 110 degrees in the summer. No reason to have anything other than the factory cooling system as long as it's maintained and running correctly.

 

[Chris]

Not in my experience when towing my trailer up steep mountain roads or during low-speed crawling on warm/hot days.

The OP isn't taking about a DeRale transmission cooler, click on the link he posted. He's talking about a DeRale electric radiator fan conversion, which as you and I both know is a terrible idea.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The OP isn't taking about a DeRale fan cooker, click on the link he posted. He's talking about a DeRale electric radiator fan conversion, which as you and I both know is a terrible idea.

Thanks I finally caught on to my misread of the OP's question.

 

[JPHikr]

Better to install an Auxiliary radiator.

Here is my go to for an auxiliary radiator that will be plumbed into the heater coolant lines.

Mount it behind the front bumper or to the front grill.

I have used this core over the years on many different Jeeps, Trucks and cars that I took to Baja during the summers chasing the surf.

SPECTRA PREMIUM 94630 {#D5UZ18476D, E3UZ18476D, E6UZ18476B} Info
Rear

1985 FORD E-350 5.8L 351cid V8 Heater Core | RockAuto​

RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.
www.rockauto.com

This photo shows one mounted behind my front bumper on the FSJ with cut outs in the bumper for air flow.

On a 115f (46c) day with the AC on temp gauge never gets past mid way.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Better to install an Auxiliary radiator.

Not needed where the TJ is concerned. The TJ's OE Mopar radiator does a great job even in the hottest desert conditions like we get here in SoCal. Us desert wheelers swear by the stock Mopar radiator and cooling system used in the TJ.

 

[never monday]

Here’s a good read on cooling systems

https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/cooling

 

[JPHikr]

Where we live it is 115-120 degrees everyday in the summer and our cooling system is stock crank drive fan with Griffin radiator.

On days we go to town (40 miles one way) it will run without shutting for 6-8 hours sitting at idle with the AC on high while shopping and doing errands.

Never gets above 210 on the gauge.

Frosty 2005 White with Black Hardtop Unlimited Rubicon
Auto 265/75-16 Cooper SST

 

[GTERDN]

Thanks for the feedback and seems to be the consensus to leave alone. We've been wheeling more higher altitude but started enjoying the lower deserts that AZ, UT and Havasu offer. With summer coming up wanted to minimize any issues out on the trails so was considering options.

Im setup to carry spare water and have ODB for better monitoring so we will test and see how it goes wheeling before making changes to the stock cooling system.

We will be at the tj fest and hopefully our paths will cross for a meet and great. Thanks again.

 

[JPHikr]

Low desert in the Summer time?

I have 2 10x12 tan canvas painters tarps that are carried year round along with two cases of water and 6 quarts of Gatorade.

Out where we live east of nowhere, without shade and water you could die in about an hour during the summer mid day heat.

When it is 115-120 Heat Stoke is a real possibility.

Something as simple as a flat tire can kill you without shade.