Rant: Cooling systems weakest link - Mech Fan

[Frenchy]

I also want to add that for my 2012 Frontier as a reference, I not only went back to the OEM Radiator, but also replaced my OEM External Transmission Cooler with an Aftermarket Cooler. Doing such has so far improved the cooling efficiency over the CSF Aluminum I had and the Factory External Transmission Cooler.

In reality there is a whole lot that can go on with the cooling system which includes the Engine Cooling, Transmission Cooling and for the Rangers case, I take Cooling for the Turbocharger.

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[awd.nv]

The radiator works great so there are no issues, today driving on the fwy from Vegas to Hurricane, UT (150 miles) in 103- 108F I was usually in the 184-195f range. As low as 172F when going downhill and peak on a long climb in 8th gear at 80mph with a headwind 207F or so. My original image was idle time at almost 30mins in 108F temps after all. Even then the IC gauge is still just below middle.

No matter how amazing your radiator, you still need airflow for the heat exchange to occur, that is why I wish we had electric fans. At idle, electric fans move way more CFM than the mechanical one does at that low of an rpm. Also would be nice for off-roading in technical areas in the summer, not something I do often though in the summer.

Even the fan engages pretty warm for my liking, this is what Ai said, seems about right from experience regarding the fan.
--------
In real-world operation, the clutch is typically commanded toward high or near-full engagement around these ranges:

• ~215–225°F coolant temp:
  • noticeable engagement increase
  • fan roar often begins
• ~225–235°F:
  • strong engagement / near full lock likely
  • especially at idle or low vehicle speed

A healthy Ranger often behaves like this:

• Cruise:
  195∘F−210∘F195^\circ F - 210^\circ F195∘F−210∘F
• Hot idle:
  215∘F−225∘F215^\circ F - 225^\circ F215∘F−225∘F
• Fan roar / aggressive engagement:
  220∘F+220^\circ F+220∘F+

---------

I am really looking into electric fan right now I have the same radiator and a colder tstat and am still displeased with the cooling I can run 190-195 on the interstate going 85-90 until I hit a hill some of the big passes we have here push me up 220 range

There was a member here who had a trick electric fan setup for the Mountune radiator. It had a controller, plumbed into the AC line and would basically control the electric fan fully like an OEM application. Kinda wish I got it, assume it sold since it was about last summer I saw it in the for sale section.

Either way, I am sure Ford knows what they are doing, just ranting I guess.

What if you just pop an electric fan in front behind the grill with a dash switch and a temp probe. Like the old hot rods would do for parades and traffic. Have it trigger at 200 degrees. Would only come on while sitting. But you could have a manual switch too for those time you need it.

I wish we had room but not sure we do, especially with the Mish intercooler which is a lot thicker than stock. Would come in handy at long idle and off roading.

 

[That_one_Ranger]

Yeah I agree with you there on airflow my main issue is just my demand I’m asking if the vehicle a lot of the hunt camps and what not I go to are 4-5 hours of pavement and good dirt roads and 1-3 hours of slow crawling 2 track and trails so once I slow down she gets hottt, but on a side note do you watch you cat bank 1 temp on your scan gauge?

 

[Dereku]

The radiator works great so there are no issues, today driving on the fwy from Vegas to Hurricane, UT (150 miles) in 103- 108F I was usually in the 184-195f range. As low as 172F when going downhill and peak on a long climb in 8th gear at 80mph with a headwind 207F or so. My original image was idle time at almost 30mins in 108F temps after all. Even then the IC gauge is still just below middle.

No matter how amazing your radiator, you still need airflow for the heat exchange to occur, that is why I wish we had electric fans. At idle, electric fans move way more CFM than the mechanical one does at that low of an rpm. Also would be nice for off-roading in technical areas in the summer, not something I do often though in the summer.

Even the fan engages pretty warm for my liking, this is what Ai said, seems about right from experience regarding the fan.
--------
In real-world operation, the clutch is typically commanded toward high or near-full engagement around these ranges:

• ~215–225°F coolant temp:
  • noticeable engagement increase
  • fan roar often begins
• ~225–235°F:
  • strong engagement / near full lock likely
  • especially at idle or low vehicle speed

A healthy Ranger often behaves like this:

• Cruise:
  195∘F−210∘F195^\circ F - 210^\circ F195∘F−210∘F
• Hot idle:
  215∘F−225∘F215^\circ F - 225^\circ F215∘F−225∘F
• Fan roar / aggressive engagement:
  220∘F+220^\circ F+220∘F+

---------



There was a member here who had a trick electric fan setup for the Mountune radiator. It had a controller, plumbed into the AC line and would basically control the electric fan fully like an OEM application. Kinda wish I got it, assume it sold since it was about last summer I saw it in the for sale section.

Either way, I am sure Ford knows what they are doing, just ranting I guess.



I wish we had room but not sure we do, especially with the Mish intercooler which is a lot thicker than stock. Would come in handy at long idle and off roading.

Put it on the front of the ac condenser. There is room there. Air flow is air flow when you are sitting still. I might do this just for the heck of it. Would be nice to test out in traffic when it is 90+ outside.

 

[mrmike7189]

Ford added electric fans, electric steering and electric braking systems to the 6th gen Rangers.

 

[21rangerCactus]

Ford added electric fans, electric steering and electric braking systems to the 6th gen Rangers.

When's the last time you checked the power steering fluid on your 5th gen?

 

[Dereku]

When's the last time you checked the power steering fluid on your 5th gen?

Topped it off yesterday. Turns so smooth now. Have to lube that muffler bearing this weekend, its a bit noisy.

 

[awd.nv]

Ford added electric fans, electric steering and electric braking systems to the 6th gen Rangers.

I did see they added the electric fan, nice for those of us in the desert.

Put it on the front of the ac condenser. There is room there. Air flow is air flow when you are sitting still. I might do this just for the heck of it. Would be nice to test out in traffic when it is 90+ outside.

I have to double check but I think the mishimoto intercooler took up a lot of the free space in there. It would be nice to just have a fan or two hooked up to the Tremor dash switches for off road or long idle times.

 

[Dereku]

I did see they added the electric fan, nice for those of us in the desert.



I have to double check but I think the mishimoto intercooler took up a lot of the free space in there. It would be nice to just have a fan or two hooked up to the Tremor dash switches for off road or long idle times.

Well mines all stock there. I say its on the list but im rolling over 130k by Monday. Might not be worth it at that point.

 

[TJC]

I think the simplest solution for an electric fan conversion is to determine if the electric fans and shroud from the 6G Rangers will fit the 5G. I just checked RockAuto and they have the 6G dual fan /shroud assembly for $249.

It that is the case, the next thing to figure out is the simplest way to control them. I think something like the Digital Fan Controller from American Volt is a great option. You can select from 3 types of sensor adapters- inline hose, mechanical fit in radiator fin, or different size NPT sensor into a coolant port or hose adapter.

Easily under $100 and it handles the AC by tying into the AC clutch power feed the (AC on circuit). No need to open the AC pressure lines.

The only thing left to do is determine what to disable using Forscan to keep from throwing any DTCs. This is great programmable independent system. I've got one that is going to control the fan on my remote transmission cooler project. There are clones on the market for less, but the relays are trash... and you'll end up spending far more to make it right.

• 104-230'F digital adjustable electric fan thermostat switch wire kit.
• 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 inch NPT threaded temperature sensor for any port.
• 40 amp relay harness with 14AWG wire powers up to 2 electric fans.
• This fan switch kit is compatible with either 12 or 24 volt applications.
• Maximum 30 amp continuous draw with 30 amp in-line fuse per fan.
• A/C override or manual toggle switch wire built directly into harness.
• Optional second fan starts 10 seconds after first fan begins cooling.
• Turn-off temperature is preset always 10 degrees less than turn-on.

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