Additional Engine Bay Fan (forward aux switch use)

[530Squatch]

Hey B6G-

(@Administrator - feel free to kill this thread if it exists elsewhere... gave it the 'ol college try and came up empty handed)

Been thinking about uses for the 6 Aux bay switches and something that piqued my interest was adding a "push" fan to the front of the radiator and/or a hood-mounted one (under the hood, obviously) to dissipate heat. I know there's a "pull" fan like most other vehicles and was wondering if anyone 1) had experience with adding a fan in this area to keep the engine bay cooler and 2) if you had any opinions on do's or do-not's. I'm in California and we get weeks of summer heat over 110 and my current vehicles struggle to keep the car cool as well as keeping the engine cool... especially my poor '02 2500 HD Duramax Chevy quad cab. That may be an exception, but I also hope to have my Bronco live that many years, hence my curiosity.

I plan to use my Bronco as a daily driver -hell, I want to live in the dang thing as much as I can- and there is a decent amount of stop-and-go traffic, as my commute is 25min each way on suburban roads. I'd like to stay as cool (as a 38yo dad can) as possible. Appreciate your advice!

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[De Brus]

I used to add them to Baja trucks and pre runners that ran off a switch. I can imagine it helping with excess heat in SoCal, also. Trouble will be finding a place to mount it in that busy engine bay.

 

[530Squatch]

I used to add them to Baja trucks and pre runners that ran off a switch. I can imagine it helping with excess heat in SoCal, also. Trouble will be finding a place to mount it in that busy engine bay.

@De Brus Thanks, glad I'm not totally out in left field. I get to sit in some Broncos on Thursday so I'll be sure to take some measurements forward of the radiator then see if the current marketplace offers something. I'm guessing The Flannels won't let me monkey around with the hood opening-and-shutting it to get a height/ depth gauge... maybe there are some CAD specs out there that'll show what the space looks like. But probably wishful thinking!

 

[De Brus]

@De Brus Thanks, glad I'm not totally out in left field. I get to sit in some Broncos on Thursday so I'll be sure to take some measurements forward of the radiator then see if the current marketplace offers something. I'm guessing The Flannels won't let me monkey around with the hood opening-and-shutting it to get a height/ depth gauge... maybe there are some CAD specs out there that'll show what the space looks like. But probably wishful thinking!

Derale makes some good fans that are built to take a beating. Plus there are a ton of sizes/configurations to choose from. You may want to check them out.

 

[530Squatch]

Derale makes some good fans that are built to take a beating. Plus there are a ton of sizes/configurations to choose from. You may want to check them out.

@De Brus Thanks so much!

 

[JesseS]

Not sure how much room there is in front of the radiator but I used to mount aux fans to it, most come with a thermostat but you could power it from a aux switch via a relay.
https://www.amazon.com/Team-Perform...1&keywords=radiator+fan&qid=1618800027&sr=8-2

 

[Erock]

Yep, Derale makes some pretty good stuff... they also have oil and trans coolers that fit in pretty small places... that assist in keeping things cool (I’m referring to the powered ones, not radiant type). I have a dual unit now, but would rather have 2 of the 5” ones for my old truck.

 

[HBTFD]

Put a raised cowl on your hood to let the heat out if you are worried about it.

 

[530Squatch]

Put a raised cowl on your hood to let the heat out if you are worried about it.

@HBTFD very true. Could be that I'm irrational about the heat. Let's hope it doesn't come this far!

 

[HBTFD]

Zero humidity and 110 F makes it tough on an AC system. Where I live they do well in 95F 90% relative humidity.

 

[530Squatch]

Zero humidity and 110 F makes it tough on an AC system. Where I live they do well in 95F 90% relative humidity.

@HBTFD yeah no doubt- I lived several years in central Florida... by the time you walk from the house to the truck you are soaked!

 

[Rivers90]

With all the testing in Johnson Valley I would guess cooling is not a problem for the bronco.

 

[ZackDanger]

Put a raised cowl on your hood to let the heat out if you are worried about it.

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[Flourman]

Has anyone seen info about auto trans cooling on the Bronco? I've added aftermarket trans coolers to my 4x4s, ever since smoking a trans while off-roading. I'd highly recommend adding a trans cooler to the Bronco, unless it already has sufficient cooling capability.

The 10-speed has a cooler on the transmission itself, mainly a heat sink. They started with that on the F150’s when they started putting the 10-speeds in them. For instance, the models previous to the 10-speed had an “upgraded transmission cooler” for the Max tow package. After the 10-speeds, they just use the cooler on the transmission.

To the OP, I really think you underestimate the power of the factory fans. Unless you are running a ton of boost or pulling, it will stay cool.

There is also the problem of the active grille shutters, disabling them and the codes it may or may not throw.

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