Flex-A-Lite Fans

[JApol]

I was looking through the Flex-a-lite site and found the new products for 2008 catalog. They have fans for the 3rd gen. I havn't got found pricing info yet.

 

[WUnderwood]

havent heard many good things about the Flex a Lite brands on newer diesels.

 

[JFaughn]

I read that they work , but not for heavy towing , then theres the price , too high to make viable / offset .
Do not quote me , but I seem to remember $500 - 700 area .

 

[WUnderwood]

yikes! thats a little steep

 

[Mrudolph]

they still limit their use below 18,000lbs gcw

 

[demojoe]

I had a flex a lite on my escalade it was a pos it worked for a little while them died it did make a power increase but the controller box broke twice but that was 3 years ago I would hope the technology has gotten better.

 

[JApol]

All this talk of "but its only good to 18k" I can't speak for anyone but me , I haven't had anything more than about 7k behind me.



From reading HAMMER's thread about his install there were some 3rd genners wishing there was a setup for out trucks. I was just putting the word out.

 

[DCreed]

if you're sitting in slow traffic, maybe towing, how do these fans keep your trans cool? or intercooler?

 

[JCrockett]

I have the 290 model on my 12V conversion and have had zero cooling problems with the truck. I have not towed anything heavy though. Plus a really hot day in Ak is 75-80* so I have not seen 3 digits for temps. I paid $400 for my 290 plus S&H to AK, which was ridiculas.

 

[Heavyweight]

There is no way I would go with that fan setup. Especially if I lived in a warm climate. The stock fan pulls some CFM and is shrowded pretty tight. The only reason to want this fan is for reduced drag not it's CFM, so no way. If you live in the North,,, maybe, not worth the money, hassle and cooling capabilty.

my . 03 cents

 

[KDillard]

For those who live in colder climates these would help on the cold morning when driving at slower speeds. I live in the DC metro area and let me tell you that you can go from 60mph to crawling in a blink of an eye. It hasnt dropped below 32 degrees here yet but getting this truck up to operating temps can be a chore when the days high temp is below 32. I drive relatively short distances to work. Some days it can take me 10 minutes to get to work on other slower days it can take 45 minutes. At those slow speeds it can really take a while to warm up all that steel with the OE fan continuously pulling lots of cold air in the engine compartment. Plus with #2 going upwards of atleast 3. 50 a gallon the savings could be worth it over the lifetime of ownership. Only downside is if one fails. Failure could be extremely costly!! With me in the winter it would almost be worth having one on the truck. Seeing how on my trip home I hardly see over 180 degrees for more than 5 minutes in the winter. It hits 190 and the Tstat opens then its back down to the 160degree mark.

 

[DCreed]

I wish temp and other guages were like some I've seen with a warning light for extremes, in case I'm watching where I'm going and not the guage!

 

[Heavyweight]

Dillard, the flex fan will get the job done and increase HP in your climate. The operating range can be controlled, so it is not a bad idea. I forget how cold some areas get, and the Diesel engine does not warm up when temps drop.

 

[MMeier]

they still limit their use below 18,000lbs gcw

My truck and empty GN come in at 18,500#.

 

[KDillard]

I agree that it will get the job done in my area. I was putting that info out for those who were in question about the pro's and con's of a e-fan. I sell and install aftermarket parts. I am very familiar with the possible horsepower gains and fuel economy increases from installing a e-fan.



Keith

 

[MarkMiller]

This kind of late but I have run Flex a lite electric fans for years in offroad rigs and they have proven to be very durable. I run a black magic in my YJ with a worked on LT1 350 and after repeated dunkings in mud, water, and various other substances it still works fine. And sitting in traffic on 100 plus days in that Jeep it has never once overheated. I won't put one on my tow rig because Flex a lite tells you it won't handle the GVW's but I will be putting one on my 99 that is now a toy and not a puller. Their fans can be set to open in a user determined range and/or to work off a switch. Depending on your situation they may make a lot of sense for you.

 

[Morse]

After switching to electric fans on my 06, I found no performance increase at the track. . Also very minimal, if any mileage gain. I also have an occassional code that has a mind of it's own. Electric fans are a mod I regret. Oh well. . I wouldn't have known for sure unless I tried it. .