Hey guys I just picked up a 2005 8.1 avalanche 2500, Drove it 1300 miles home from Texas to MN. Clutch fan was stuck on entire time, I'm buying a gatorback belt to see if its just slipping and causing it to be frozen. The fan does spin manually, It does not spin easy. You can grab it and move it. I was thinking of tossing a Taurus fan on this thing to see what it would help with. I've heard the 8.1's have problems with electric fans, I Only two maybe 2-3 times a year about 3800lb at the most, that's in winter.

Would I be alright running an e fan, and can it be wired into factory computer and tuned to come on? I watch my gauges like a hawk. I drive about 3000 miles a year total. So its a leisure truck in reality.

Any gains noticed from e fans on these big rigs?

truck still managed 14mpg with 4.10 gears going about 72 all the way home

 

Man not one reply!

 

Efans will do just fine, but make sure you have a good setup for your rig. There is a reason almost all vehicles have Efans these days. You will want plenty of cfm and a good shroud.

 

Efans on a big block suck. Been there done that especially if you tow a lot I did a Efan conversion on my 98 big block and went back to fan clutch because it would not stay cool in traffic or while towing in the heat. Then tried it one more time on my 01 8.1 and same results and went back to stock clutch and shroud both times. The stock fan clutch can move far more CFM under full lock than any electric fans can move. There is a good reason why new 3/4 up trucks still have fan clutch's on them.

 

I tow About 3 times a year in the winter.

 

My Express van runs cooler with the 2008+ Tahoe fans than it ever ran with a clutch fan and I had a HD clutch and tow package fan. The a/c is colder too.

 

my brother has a RSCB with a 8.1 with the 05+ electric fans and it cools just fine in Louisiana heat. Id go with the 05+ fans to cover the all of that 34" radiator.

 

I just need to find a harness now. The fans are easy enough to find

 

the nelson harnesses are good but the factory ones are easy to find and the way to go

 

I tried electric fans. Had no luck. Melted relays and the truck ran hot. Hell it ran hot pushing snow.