2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission fanless

[TGaines]

How many of you go fanless in the winter? I live in Fairbanks, and it is expected to get very cold here. I have looked into purchasing a cold front for the truck, but now I hear that some go fanless in the winter. Any risks or problems I need to worry about. Is there any effect on the belts, or do I just take the fan blades off. What is the deal? Thanks for your help.



Travis

 

[The patriot]

If anything it would help belt life.

I've never towed anything fanless, so cant comment on this.

Over 70 - 80 deg I start to pay close attention to temps.

Stop and go aint a problem unless you get to these outside temps.

I just pull it off and stand it in the corner of the garage until spring.

It's a bit quieter too.

Eric



PS If you get a winter front, be sure to leave at least some air going over the intercooler.

 

[illflem]

I've been going fanless for the last 5 winters, only problem is you won't want to put it back on. Engine is much quieter and has better acceleration. Usually mine is off from Oct - June but two years ago when we had a cool summer it didn't go back on till the end of July and only really needed to be on for a couple weeks. I have an intake temp gauge, the intercooler does it's job just fine without the fan. AT temps are also fine.



Only cautions:



You might not want to do if you're stuck in bumper to bumper or towing when it's over 40°.



Store the fan upright, never had a problem but have heard if it's laid flat the oil can leak out.



Don't use your A/C unless you're moving. On your '96 this includes defrost as the A/C comes on. Don't really need A/C in defrost when it's cold as the air dry anyway. You can either pull the A/C breaker under the hood or modify the switch so A/C only comes on when you want. Takes about an hour, instructions here http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/HVAC/Defrost_AC.htm

 

[jeepit]

I had questioned the use of winter fronts on all 4 openings on grill and replies all indicated not to worry about covering the intercooler.

 

[Turbo Horseman]

We spend 6 - 8 weeks at a time at -30 celsius, can't go without the winter fronts.

 

[rweis]

We spend maybe 1 week as low as +30, is that the same, ?



Bob Weis

 

[Cooker]

Fanless with the grille covered is the only way to go in cold winter temps.

 

[Turbo Horseman]

rweis... - 30 or +30 celsius are about the same from inside the house ... also, both temps involve crystal clear blue skies.

 

[moparguy]

Fanless is great but..........

let me share my experience from a few days ago. I ran last winter fanless with great results. Quieter, warmer, and looks cool when you raise the hood.



However on a rough section of gravel road 2 weeks ago at about 50 degrees, and at about 6000 feet, pulling a steep grade going to elk camp I had to pull over and install the fan to keep temps below 240.



The problem was I couldn't go fast enough due to the road, and with the loaded trailer and truck (about 5k extra) temps got out of hand quickly.



The night before I pulled Monarch Pass which is about 6 or 7% and a few miles long with only minor concerns. I had to slow down to about 40mph to keep temps in check (205-210).



So, my advise is try it if you live at lower altitudes and don't tow.



I'll likely remove mine soon since I'm back in Arkansas.



One observation, it seems that the denser air at lower levels cools better by a considerable margin. Anyone noticed this?



RJR

 

[Jeff H]

This will be the 1st year for me going fanless. I dabated whether to do this or not.

One is if I drive in the snow. I mean deep snow 2 feet or higher for many miles. The snow will start to pile up under neath the hood. Covering the batteries and air cleaner. Well with the fan on I could just let it run when parked. That would help melt off the snow before I shut it down.

I have driven around empty with out the fan in 80 degree weather. We had indian summer just after I pulled the fan. I topped out at 190 degrees.

When sitting for a long time my temp got up to 190 also. But it was 80 degrees out too. So I turned on heat inside the cab. My engine temps came back down slowly. It did get a little warm in the cab when it was already 80 outside. I did this as a test just to see if it would work. So I sat outside and waited.

If I were snow plowing. I think I would leave the fan on. Or get a little electric fan too cool her down.

 

[JJW_ND]

Just need to pay attention

I was still fanless to and from Muncie in June. Like Jeff said, I did have to turn on the heater when we were stuck in rush hour traffic going through Chicago. I have pulled a stock trailer through the blackhills with outside temps in upper 70s.



Other then extreme loads that would normally kick on your clutch fan, once cruising the fan is not needed. Read the comments from the Horton Fan guys. "... only time it comes on is with the AC kicks in".



AC is a big thing. I had mine idling the first winter before I did the Compresses fix to keep in from comming on in defrost and really built up pressure. Now no big deal. ''



jjw

ND