Electric fan conversion for 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 (5.3L)

[SurrealOne]

Does anyone have experience with electric fan conversions? I have an engine-driven fan in my 04 GMC Sierra 1500 and am curious what it'd take to convert to an electric fan setup. I understand the 05 and later came stock with one, so I'd think I should be able to convert to one easily enough ... gaining some ponies back and, hopefully, cooling the engine a little better. I've already got an upgraded electrical system, so an extra 30-40 amp draw is no problem...

[Crawdaddy]

I think for your year truck, a reflashing of the computer will allow you to use an output pin of the computer to control the e-fan turning on and off. You'll still need a high-amp relay to do the heavy lifting, but you won't need any additional temp switches or anything.

[rileyjr16]

My brother put 2 universal fans on his 99 4.3 and a aftermarket harness and relay and I might do the same but I'd try and hide the wires best I can or wrap them with that split flex tubing stuff. I hate looking at wires and they just get in my way...

[SurrealOne]

My brother put 2 universal fans on his 99 4.3 and a aftermarket harness and relay and I might do the same but I'd try and hide the wires best I can or wrap them with that split flex tubing stuff. I hate looking at wires and they just get in my way...

What's he using to control the temp at which the fans come on/off and where is that temp control plugged into (radiator presumably?) The wiring's a non-issue and I have piles of 3/8" wire loom (the name for what you called the 'split flex tubing stuff', lol).

I think for your year truck, a reflashing of the computer will allow you to use an output pin of the computer to control the e-fan turning on and off. You'll still need a high-amp relay to do the heavy lifting, but you won't need any additional temp switches or anything.

Reflashing to what {flash version} and by whom {the stealership}?

[reggiecab2000]

im planning on doing the same by summers end and have found many how-to's all over the internet from LS1's to ford taurus swaps...
personally i am going to go the LS1 route (2 fans) as opposed to the ford taurus route (1 fan, 2 speeds)... i will hopefully be starting it in the next month...

[SurrealOne]

im planning on doing the same by summers end and have found many how-to's all over the internet from LS1's to ford taurus swaps...
personally i am going to go the LS1 route (2 fans) as opposed to the ford taurus route (1 fan, 2 speeds)... i will hopefully be starting it in the next month...

Any chance you might do a guide in the process ... or link a guide you've found to work well?

[rileyjr16]

Yeah @SurrealOne the temp sensor is just plugged into the radiator I belive.

[Sierraowner5.3]

@surreal, you may be able to find a wrecked 05 + and take a look at whats different between those and yours. most everything should just bolt right up. My buddy that has a 99 silverado was looking at doing the same thing. I loved the electric fans in my 05, gave you more room to work and more clearance to check the serpentine belt and so on. I also thought they were quiter the the engine driven fan.

Alex

[reggiecab2000]

If the install goes great, i might try to do a guide, but if for some reason i cant i do have a few links for you to check out, although most deal with silverados, but sierra should be the same foundation...
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/g...-fan-swap.html

well i though i had about 2 or 3... anyway google is definitely your best friend here
but from everything i have seen this install seems to be about a 4 out of 10 difficulty rating!

[Crawdaddy]

I'm not sure what version the software in the computer has to be, but I know there are boatloads of companies out there that can do it. You definitely don't have to go to the dealership and I don't think they'd help you anyway. There may even be a handheld tuner that can do it, but I haven't researched it alot as I don't have a truck I can do that to.

I am planning on doing the Mark VIII fan conversion. It's very similar to the Taurus fan swap except I think it moves a couple CFM more air through it. It's one HUGE fan. When I do the install I'll be taking pics the whole way. I'm going to have to go with a fan controller for mine and figure out where I should put the temp probe.