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Flex A Lite Dual Electric Fans part #284
***-9-13-06 Update*** http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1297205&postcount=216
Towing results here.
Update Tuesday June 6.
Quick Recap instead of reading through 12 pages...
Pro - did gain mileage. at least 2mpg city and at least 3mpg highway
Pro - loud scream of stock fan is gone along with no more drag on the motor
Pro - A/C does seem cooler
Pro - temps stay around 192 consistently and a little higher with A/C and at higher rpm
Pro - fairly easy install if you have some mechanical experience and some wiring experience.
Con - Fan clutch bolt was an #$%^&# to get off
Con - not too fond of the location of the TCM bracket
Con - power point hard to get to if you need it
Con - bolts for TCM bracket weren't included, but contacted them and they were sent to me later.
Con - *Update* noticed a hiccup while at a light with A/C on. Seems to be the A/C clutch cycling at the same time powering on and off the fans. I found out what this was and it was nothing related to these fans what so ever.
Con - if you have certain fuel pump upgrades the TCM will have to be mounted elsewhere. no location nailed down yet.
As I mentioned previously; installing these fans has nothing to do with any LLY overheating threads, posts, issues, fixes, and solutions. I don’t have an overheating problem. With that said I wanted less drag, less noise, same or better cooling, and possibly some gain in mileage. My LLY is my daily driver and the most I tow is a car trailer and variety of cars for a max of 8-10k for short highway trips, 100miles max and mostly flat to and from the track.
The label on the side shows all that is claimed to happen and please take notice of the fine print at the bottom..
NOTE: Electric Fans are not recommended for primary diesel engine cooling when the combined gross vehicle weight exceeds 18,000lbs (truck. trailer, and load) I my case, truck is 6500, car and trailer are usually no more than 5k. That is maybe 12k total.
![]()
Here is the kit. Purchased from Jegs as that was the best price I could find. Packaged and shipped with no issues. Twin fans, wires, brackets, controller. First inspection of the parts looks good and seems to have everything needed.
![]()
Here is the stock fan clutch and shroud as you all have seen.
![]()
Comparison of stock fans next to dual fans
![]()
Reverse side of clutch
![]()
Remove bottom dust shield to gain access to bottom shroud
![]()
Remove top and bottom shroud and TCM cover
![]()
Fan clutch with shroud removed
![]()
You’ll need a large crescent wrench or a 1.5” open end wrench along with a strap wrench or some other way to keep the water pump pulley stationary while you break loose the huge nut. I purchased 2 strap wrenches from Lowes for $20 and used the larger of the two to hold the pulley in place. I lodged it underneath the A/C compressor for leverage. This step alone took me 2 hours. That bolt would not budge. I soaked it with WD40, tried again along with several sharp hits with a hammer to the crescent wrench. Finally I beared down with legs in the air and it broke loose.
![]()
OEM fan and clutch removed, shroud removed..naked Duramax!!
![]()
Test fit of new fans driver and pass side shots
![]()
![]()
Fan is secured by supplied bolts using factory holes. Bolts are not tightened at this time to make sure all sides fit snug and foam is 50% compressed against radiator.
![]()
I mounted the control module on the side of the fuse box. It’s just a plastic cover shielding the fuses and all. It fits good and is close to power, ground, fuses, and battery.
![]()
Here shows the module in relation to the power, battery, A/C wire, etc.
![]()
When I went to mount the TCM to the bracket supplied I noticed there were no screws, bolts, or anything. The Instructions say to remove it from its cover and set aside, but there is no mention of it after that. I had to hunt down a bolt and nut while the top hole has two tie wraps temporarily. I was disappointed with this part.
![]()
The TCM mounted to the bracket also causes it to be a bit difficult to access the power point. The bracket is somewhat flexible and you can just move it briefly and open the power point, but I just wanted to note that it was too close in my opinion and could possibly cause issues if you ever had to use it to jump start someone. You don't want the cables to hit the TCM.
![]()
Here is the kit installed. I just need to get some wire loom and cover all the wires and it’s completely done. I followed the ignition instructions and it worked like a charm. I turned on the A/C and the fans came on. The fans come on at 60% when your operating temp is reached. If the temps get higher then the fans will kick on at 100%. There is also a 6 second start up delay so it won’t interfere with your starter and cause issues with charging/starting.
![]()
Here are a few more finished pictures.. you can see the TCM and how it fits and how close it is to the power point.
![]()
![]()
![]()
So far I have driven it about 2 miles and then it started pouring rain so I can home. I have to say the motor is much quieter and when the fans do come on you sort of think you hear the fans, but as you turn off things and roll the windows up they have already turned off. I let it idle for a good 30 minutes while it reached operating temps and once it hit 192 the fans came on briefly. I turned the screw back just a tad so the temp would get to 195.
I’ve always monitored my engine temps, EGT’s, mileage, etc. I run an Edge on level 4 for daily driving. Currently temps here when not raining are 90-100 degrees. My previous mileage is usually about 13-14 in the city, more on the highway.
I wasn’t real happy that the TCM was mentioned only for removal and no where else while there were no bolts included to mount the TCM to the new bracket included. It’s a small oversight, but if I didn’t have a neighbor around that took me to the hardware store I would have been highly upset. I just happened to block my car in the night before and without thinking started the install.
As far as telling it when to come on I want to make sure the engine temps reach at least 180 for the Edge to come on and keep the temps above that. The operation temp if I remember is 195. I’ll have to set it to come on when it reaches 196 and if it gets higher the fans will spin full speed.
Also I forgot to mention..while sitting in the cab I turned on all my lights, stereo, A/C and some other things. The amp meter moved a tick, but never missed a beat. I'll be watching the amp meter closely.
Having something to stand on to gain better access to the engine bay is almost a must have. I used my two car ramps on either side.
I will update this as I go along, but that is all for now.
***-9-13-06 Update*** http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1297205&postcount=216
Towing results here.
Update Tuesday June 6.
Quick Recap instead of reading through 12 pages...
Pro - did gain mileage. at least 2mpg city and at least 3mpg highway
Pro - loud scream of stock fan is gone along with no more drag on the motor
Pro - A/C does seem cooler
Pro - temps stay around 192 consistently and a little higher with A/C and at higher rpm
Pro - fairly easy install if you have some mechanical experience and some wiring experience.
Con - Fan clutch bolt was an #$%^&# to get off
Con - not too fond of the location of the TCM bracket
Con - power point hard to get to if you need it
Con - bolts for TCM bracket weren't included, but contacted them and they were sent to me later.
Con - *Update* noticed a hiccup while at a light with A/C on. Seems to be the A/C clutch cycling at the same time powering on and off the fans. I found out what this was and it was nothing related to these fans what so ever.
Con - if you have certain fuel pump upgrades the TCM will have to be mounted elsewhere. no location nailed down yet.
As I mentioned previously; installing these fans has nothing to do with any LLY overheating threads, posts, issues, fixes, and solutions. I don’t have an overheating problem. With that said I wanted less drag, less noise, same or better cooling, and possibly some gain in mileage. My LLY is my daily driver and the most I tow is a car trailer and variety of cars for a max of 8-10k for short highway trips, 100miles max and mostly flat to and from the track.
The label on the side shows all that is claimed to happen and please take notice of the fine print at the bottom..
NOTE: Electric Fans are not recommended for primary diesel engine cooling when the combined gross vehicle weight exceeds 18,000lbs (truck. trailer, and load) I my case, truck is 6500, car and trailer are usually no more than 5k. That is maybe 12k total.
Here is the kit. Purchased from Jegs as that was the best price I could find. Packaged and shipped with no issues. Twin fans, wires, brackets, controller. First inspection of the parts looks good and seems to have everything needed.
Here is the stock fan clutch and shroud as you all have seen.
Comparison of stock fans next to dual fans
Reverse side of clutch
Remove bottom dust shield to gain access to bottom shroud
Remove top and bottom shroud and TCM cover
Fan clutch with shroud removed
You’ll need a large crescent wrench or a 1.5” open end wrench along with a strap wrench or some other way to keep the water pump pulley stationary while you break loose the huge nut. I purchased 2 strap wrenches from Lowes for $20 and used the larger of the two to hold the pulley in place. I lodged it underneath the A/C compressor for leverage. This step alone took me 2 hours. That bolt would not budge. I soaked it with WD40, tried again along with several sharp hits with a hammer to the crescent wrench. Finally I beared down with legs in the air and it broke loose.
OEM fan and clutch removed, shroud removed..naked Duramax!!
Test fit of new fans driver and pass side shots
Fan is secured by supplied bolts using factory holes. Bolts are not tightened at this time to make sure all sides fit snug and foam is 50% compressed against radiator.
I mounted the control module on the side of the fuse box. It’s just a plastic cover shielding the fuses and all. It fits good and is close to power, ground, fuses, and battery.
Here shows the module in relation to the power, battery, A/C wire, etc.
When I went to mount the TCM to the bracket supplied I noticed there were no screws, bolts, or anything. The Instructions say to remove it from its cover and set aside, but there is no mention of it after that. I had to hunt down a bolt and nut while the top hole has two tie wraps temporarily. I was disappointed with this part.
The TCM mounted to the bracket also causes it to be a bit difficult to access the power point. The bracket is somewhat flexible and you can just move it briefly and open the power point, but I just wanted to note that it was too close in my opinion and could possibly cause issues if you ever had to use it to jump start someone. You don't want the cables to hit the TCM.
Here is the kit installed. I just need to get some wire loom and cover all the wires and it’s completely done. I followed the ignition instructions and it worked like a charm. I turned on the A/C and the fans came on. The fans come on at 60% when your operating temp is reached. If the temps get higher then the fans will kick on at 100%. There is also a 6 second start up delay so it won’t interfere with your starter and cause issues with charging/starting.
Here are a few more finished pictures.. you can see the TCM and how it fits and how close it is to the power point.
So far I have driven it about 2 miles and then it started pouring rain so I can home. I have to say the motor is much quieter and when the fans do come on you sort of think you hear the fans, but as you turn off things and roll the windows up they have already turned off. I let it idle for a good 30 minutes while it reached operating temps and once it hit 192 the fans came on briefly. I turned the screw back just a tad so the temp would get to 195.
I’ve always monitored my engine temps, EGT’s, mileage, etc. I run an Edge on level 4 for daily driving. Currently temps here when not raining are 90-100 degrees. My previous mileage is usually about 13-14 in the city, more on the highway.
I wasn’t real happy that the TCM was mentioned only for removal and no where else while there were no bolts included to mount the TCM to the new bracket included. It’s a small oversight, but if I didn’t have a neighbor around that took me to the hardware store I would have been highly upset. I just happened to block my car in the night before and without thinking started the install.
As far as telling it when to come on I want to make sure the engine temps reach at least 180 for the Edge to come on and keep the temps above that. The operation temp if I remember is 195. I’ll have to set it to come on when it reaches 196 and if it gets higher the fans will spin full speed.
Also I forgot to mention..while sitting in the cab I turned on all my lights, stereo, A/C and some other things. The amp meter moved a tick, but never missed a beat. I'll be watching the amp meter closely.
Having something to stand on to gain better access to the engine bay is almost a must have. I used my two car ramps on either side.
I will update this as I go along, but that is all for now.
