[Mr Spock]

Went wheeling this weekend and noticed the temperature gauge on my mirror got into the mid to upper 80s despite being only about 70 outside. The cab got hot and I could definitely feel the heat from underneath.

I am thinking that maybe adding an electric fan with a cab switch might be a good idea. Has anyone done this on a 2nd gen? Anyone who has been wheeling (especially where it is hot) find the need or have you been okay? I did a site search and came up with a bunch of hits that are off topic.

Sean

 

[dubie2003]

Some like me have choosen to eliminate the standard mechanical fan for an Efan to help for performance but this isn't exactly what you are wanting to do.

Some have also added an additional fan and a trans cooler but once again this doesn't exactly fit your question.

If you want to add an secondary fan you are more then welcome to but you have to put it on the front of the radiator and make sure it is a pusher, not a puller to help with efficiency.

Heck, you could eliminate the mech fan and use a dual set-up with a controller. The controller could be set-up to put 1 fan on when you reach 160 and 2 fans on when you reach 175 and if you have the air on, both fans run at half speed until temps are reached when they switch to full speed.

The options are endless but I have to ask, why were you wheeling with the windows up? I always thought it was safer to wheel with the windows down so you can look out them and you don't have to worry about them breaking if you hit a rock and smash your head into the window.

 

[Scott Hutch]

So crap doesnt get flung at my face is why I wheel with them up. Also muddy interior blows

 

[dubie2003]

So crap doesnt get flung at my face is why I wheel with them up. Also muddy interior blows

Point taken, I forget about mudding. I am more in-tuned with the trail/rock form of offroading. The mudding is just too messy for me, lol.

 

[mrgrayaz]

Frontier already has a thermostatically controlled pusher auxiliary fan. if it wasn't running, the truck didn't need it.

 

[Mr Spock]

For clarification I had all 4 windows and the sunroof open and it was hot from radiant engine heat. The pusher fan did engage for most of the time. My idea was to suppliment with more fan capacity. Anybody else notice you get hot while wheeling? If it's common and no one thinks it's a problem, then maybe I am just paranoid - the temp gauge was rock steady in the middle of the range.

 

[shinermiller]

Just to let you know, there are more options than just adding a cooling fan.

For example:
http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f23/true-nismo-350z-thermostat-54-c-swap-mod-46035/

 

[Mr Spock]

Just to let you know, there are more options than just adding a cooling fan.

For example:
http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f23/true-nismo-350z-thermostat-54-c-swap-mod-46035/

Cool (pun intended). So with an alternate tstat, you open up at a lower temp and get wide open flow to the rad earlier than stock and about 25 deg cooler run temp. Did I get that right?

 

[Irongrave]

simple ways to keep the motor a little cooler

Step 1
if your waiting to get over an obstacle or getting out to take a photo or something like that, turn the truck off, also if your stopped for more then a few minutes open the hood up and let the motor cool down that way

Step 2
run more water in your radiator, water works better at transferring heat that anti freeze so if drain a gallon of fluid from your radiator and add a gallon of water.

Step 3
TB bypass mod keeps hot coolant from circulating threw the throttle body keeping that air intake temp down.
http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f23/easy-mods-thread-13631/

step 4,
Run a lower t-stat that opens sooner thus getting a little cooler coolant threw the motor

Step 5,
Convert the stock clutch fan to a puller type e-fan and custom shroud.

Step 6
If your truck is still over heating get a pair of those stick on hood scoops and cut a hole towards the rear of the hood make some sort of rain/water shield then place the hood scoop with the opening facing the window to help the engine bay dissipate heat a little better

(I've done most of this to my trail rig XJ with 0 ill effects and know guys running all of this on trucks again no issues other then a little longer warm up time in the winter)

 

[shinermiller]

Cool (pun intended). So with an alternate tstat, you open up at a lower temp and get wide open flow to the rad earlier than stock and about 25 deg cooler run temp. Did I get that right?

Correct. Its the lazy mans way around things. Esp if you don't feel like doing things like extra fans/wiring/ect. You would also have several options as to what temperature you'd like it to run at as well. But if that isn't enough you still have the option for efans.

 

[mrgrayaz]

Ok, so the truck pushes out heat from the engine compartment out the bottom of your truck. if your sitting and idling, then it will come out from under the truck and waft up by the windows. Once again....engine temps i'm sure were fine...you normally dont feel the heat because your moving and by the time it rises its hundreds of feet behind you.

I fail to see the problem.

as for the dont idle bull crap, dont kid yourself. I let my frontier idle for hours on end with the airconditioning at full blast...in July. Did I mention I live in Phoenix, and the ambient temp is usually over 110F? asphalt temp in mid 180F. it melts shoes.

No problem.

 

[2WD_NISMO]

Turn on the a/c then if it's too hot inside?!

 

[morgan]

mr. spock,

kina off topic but on your bull bar did you have to cut anything to put that on. i was reading on the westin and the website said cutting the bumper may be necessary

 

[steve500]

As it started to get warm just recently, I went out wheeling a little bit and my truck began to overheat and I could REALLY feel the heat in the cab with the vents off and windows up even though it was pretty cool outside.

... found I had air space in my coolant system, bled it out and filled er' with coolant after sitting overnight when the engine was cold while the engine was running with the coolant caps off and it's been perfect since, pusher fan hasn't even came on at all since.

 

[Mr Spock]

mr. spock,

kina off topic but on your bull bar did you have to cut anything to put that on. i was reading on the westin and the website said cutting the bumper may be necessary

Not really. A little bit of trimming (and I mean mostly slivers/shaving) was needed in a few spots on the plastic junk on the bottom. That was all about it.

Sean