The Perfect 1st Gen Tacoma ;)

Thanks!

Yeah my kids will be going very rarely maybe a few times a year.

I will check out the AZ section for sure once I get a truck picked out and purchased. Hopefully this weekend if I can keep from getting suckered into working.

 

Does anyone have a guide to swapping to an electric fan setup in place of the clutch/engine driven fan? I searched around but couldn't find anything specific with actual steps and recommendations for purchase.

Basically what I want to avoid is the lack of cool air and engine cooling in stop and go traffic in Phoenix Az. It is one of the worst parts for me of owning and driving an older vehicle on regular basis. This truck will not be a back and forth to work vehicle or anything but I want to be comfortable when I need it.

In previous experience with vehicles swapping to an electric fan setup (usually 2 smalish fans inside a shroud) that would ideally "bold up" to the radiator housing and that has an independent temp sensor for turning on I think?

One of the areas of research I am keen to get nailed down and fully understand. Any guidance is appreciated as always!

 

There've been a few threads on successful e-fan conversions...the benifit of which I'm not sure of, seems like an added electrical component that may potentially fail. I swapped my stock radiator for a 3 core aluminum champion one and my engine temps have not gone past 188... Before I was running at 200 consistently.

 

Take all these ideas and put realistic time and cost estimates next to each and post it for feedback.

Create a cost and work breakdown schedule including tools and fluids you'll need for each step.

 

I had dual e-fans on my truck when I bought it, previous owner had them installed. From day one I had overheating issues with them whenever I was in 4wd or offroading...the e-fans just simply did not cool well enough, even with duals. If I turned my AC on in 4wd it was almost guaranteed to start overheating within minutes.

As soon as I ditched those for a stock fan clutch setup I haven't experienced an overheating situation since, and it's been almost 3 years. Personally I don't think e-fans are a good idea, the mechanical fan clutch should work just fine. If it isn't then it might be time to replace it with a new one.

 

Yeah perhaps these trucks are just different then. My primary concern is A/C performance while sitting still at a stoplight when it's 115 outside. In the past an electric fan setup worked wonders (swapped a 94 Chevy Sportvan w/ 305 v8) over to e-fan setup and it resolved it.

I will of course not be doing ANYTHING to fix a problem if there isn't an actual problem, just trying to do my research into these wonderful trucks as to be prepared. Hopefully this truck will be the exception to the rule for me. I already have plans in the works for additional insulation inside the cab and other items that should help mitigate this issue anyway (and for other reasons of course).

Thanks for honest answers and experiences shared. That information is invaluable

 

Vehicle doesn't even exist in my reality yet and certainly isn't overheating. This post was just about forethought and not about trying to resolve an "actual" issue currently. Theory crafting for my build and learning a lot along the way.

Time will tell the tale and hopefully it's a non issue. Many other places I would rather put my money (different upgrades / changes) than something like this (unless it IS an issue, then it's a very high priority for me to solve.)

Anyway thanks for the insight and comment!

 

I am already doing this. Well to the extent I can. Keen to find that other than the swap items all most all of the general maintenance parts are available on Amazon. Like posted above I am being very picky on the parts (OEM or equivalent) w/ OEM nearly always taking the lead. I have had to many bad experiencing with cheap aftermarket parts.

So I have lists built out of different items for different jobs. Plus I get a discount at Amazon because of work and free 2 day shipping.

First order of business will be getting the truck home and cleaning/detailing it and giving it a complete inspection from bumper to bumper.

I will then identify items that are critical, general maintenance, upgrades or lastly a side project / some-day item (nice to have).

Hoping to go look at a few this weekend that will suit my needs and hopefully bring on home!

 

Be patient, took me six months to buy a nice 2wd with a 3.4 v6(1st Gen) back in 1999. Kept it rather stock, just blacked out everything - powder coated front/rear bumpers, black door handles, power mirrors from 4runner. Never screwed around with height, shocks, ALL stock except for silicone hoses. Sold that first gen with 313K on the odometer, I already miss her. I knew every inch of the truck. Biggest liability (in myopinion) were the brakes. Those single pot calipers sucked.

 

Yeah I won't deny I am beyond excited. I have one all picked out and I go to look at it / pick it up Saturday. Keeping the lid on that for now...

I have started ordering parts already and I don't have the truck yet. Nothing crazy of course just items I will be using regardless of which truck I end up with.

Purchased the silicone vacuum line kit from siliconeintakes.com so that it gets headed this way.

Hit up Amazon for the needed items for a synth oil & filter change (5w-30 Mobil 1) w/ Wix XP filter, some synth ATF for a quick drain and fill on the auto trans.

Snagged a new grease gun and some good quality grease to lube up the drivetrain.

Got 32oz of Synthetic brake fluid to flush out the old crap in whatever I purchase. (will do hose in a bottle method)

New Wix air filter (placeholder till I decide on Amsoil or K&N or just stock)

New Wix fuel filter

Redline synthetic gear oil for the rear diff for a drain and fill.

Seafoam for the Oil, Gas and Vacuum line treatment

Hoping to have a very fun weekend will keep you guys posted as to how things turn out. Hopefully with some pictures of my new truck

Gotta find a good link for cleaning the MAF sensor (not sure yet if this is good as preventative or only if it's going south...)

~Rafe

 

Rafe - don’t sweat the MAF, in 300,000 miles I’ve never ever had issue with Mass Air Flow sensor on my v6 taco.. now on my C43 and wife’s BMW, fuhgedda ‘bout it! Wise move on silicone hoses, you’ll never have an issue with those...

 

damn that powder coating looks nice!

 

Good luck with your find.
As far as the ac in stop and go traffic. Or just idiling. It's been my experience that Toyota's ac system are pretty robust. As long as everything is in good working order. It blows cold. I did have to add some refrigerat / ac recharge from the parts store,only once in its lifespan.
As far as the cooling system I've replaced one radiator when the tank cracked. And 2 water pumps with the timing belt change.
I've never seen the needle budge much past the middle . The fan is pretty loud and has a tone of drag bit it seams to work well.
Went wheeling last month with the ac rocking the whole time. Only way to be out in the summer in AZ.

 

Agreed, I’ve recharged the ac a couple times but relatively problem free, simple R134 recharge. Replaced radiator due to leak at aluminum to plastic junction. Replaced water pump at 100k 3x, once per 100k. This was preventative since replacing timing belt. FYI - Replacing the timing belt requires water pump replacement on 5VZ FE V6.

 

Cheep insurance for sure. Most kits include it.

 

If you're replacing your timing belt and you're in the vicinity, the original pump should be removed (you're correct, you're more than welcome to replace with your original who knows when it's gonna quit 100K water pump. However, for the amount of effort required, you'd be foolish NOT to put in a NEW water pump. You do want you want bro...

 

So what??? I'm not ever gonna recommend otherwise, I've done this job too many times.

 

Alright child, you win...

 

it looks like you are correct!
why is there even an argument