HD Cooling setup

[jschenck]

I know there are posts and threads about this here, but not finding them with my phone, so please point the way!

My wife and I are wanting to finish out upgrading the KJ so that it has the factory tow package. It already has the hitch and 7-pin harness, but now we want to add the mechanical fan and shroud. That's all that I lack, correct?

Can someone post links to threads discussing how to do this? Also, I need to know what parts (and part numbers) I need to do this.

Thanks for all the help you guys always give to us n00bs!

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I know there are posts and threads about this here, but not finding them with my phone, so please point the way!

My wife and I are wanting to finish out upgrading the KJ so that it has the factory tow package. It already has the hitch and 7-pin harness, but now we want to add the mechanical fan and shroud. That's all that I lack, correct?

Can someone post links to threads discussing how to do this? Also, I need to know what parts (and part numbers) I need to do this.

Thanks for all the help you guys always give to us n00bs!

OK, I could be a real butthead and tell you to do your own search from a PC - but it's raining here today so I can't play outside, my wife is off at a wedding and I'm feeling charitable :bleh:

You'll need three parts:

• HD Shroud
• Fan Clutch
• Mopar Nylon Fan

OK, the easy ones. Search on MoparOnlineParts.com for Part #52079654AE and order the Nylon Fan. It's listed at $57.44. Next, go to SummitRacing.com and get the Hayden HD-2905 clutch for $46.79. That's the severe duty version (which I got); you may only want the heavy duty version but whatever works for you. These prices are correct as of this writing, but will obviously change in the future.

Now the hard one - the HD shroud. You can do a search on places like Car-Part.com and search for a Liberty with the HD cooling system but most of the time the salvage yards don't keep the electric fan with the shroud (ask me how I know...) so you end up paying twice as much as you should just to get the electric fan that fits in the shroud :disgust:

The other option is eBay. I know, I know - we're not supposed to trust the "cheap crap on FleaBay" but this is the only HD shroud/fan I could find and I searched for MONTHS - it's $162.48. I've had it installed for nearly a year including last summer's nasty heat waves and it's working great. As they say, buyer beware but I can at least give you my real-world experience to go on. Grand total for all the parts and shipping will be roughly $300 - about what the kit from Mopar cost when it was still available.

To get an idea of the installation process check out this thread.

So there's my charitable giving for today. Hopefully as others use the Search function ( :waytogo: ) as we move into summer this will help them out too.

Bob

 

[jschenck]

OK, I could be a real butthead and tell you to do your own search from a PC - but it's raining here today so I can't play outside, my wife is off at a wedding and I'm feeling charitable :bleh:

You'll need three parts:

• HD Shroud
• Fan Clutch
• Mopar Nylon Fan

OK, the easy ones. Search on MoparOnlineParts.com for Part #52079654AE and order the Nylon Fan. It's listed at $57.44. Next, go to SummitRacing.com and get the Hayden HD-2905 clutch for $46.79. That's the severe duty version (which I got); you may only want the heavy duty version but whatever works for you.

Now the hard one - the HD shroud. You can do a search on places like Car-Part.com and search for a Liberty with the HD cooling system but most of the time the salvage yards don't keep the electric fan with the shroud (ask me how I know...) so you end up paying twice as much as you should just to get the electric fan that fits in the shroud :disgust:

The other option is eBay. I know, I know - we're not supposed to trust the "cheap crap on FleaBay" but this is the only HD shroud/fan I could find and I searched for MONTHS - it's $162.48. I've had it installed for nearly a year including last summer's nasty heat waves and it's working great. As they say, buyer beware but I can at least give you my real-world experience to go on. Grand total for all the parts and shipping will be roughly $300 - about what the kit from Mopar cost when it was still available.

To get an idea of the installation process check out this thread.

So there's my charitable giving for today. Hopefully as others use the Search function ( :waytogo: ) as we move into summer this will help them out too.

BOb

Bob, thanks for the info! I'd have done the research from a PC myself if I had Internet right now. Just got married and don't have Internet in the new apartment. Stuck doing everything from my phone right now. *****.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Bob, thanks for the info! I'd have done the research from a PC myself if I had Internet right now. Just got married and don't have Internet in the new apartment. Stuck doing everything from my phone right now. *****.

No worries! I was just giving you some crap but all in fun! :happy160:

Bob

 

[diyman]

Hi all!

I can't really be much of a help as all KJs here came with HD cooling,I don't know whether a non HD electric
fan is a direct 'bolt on' to a 52080127AA HD shroud or not..

All I know (learnt by reading the label on the box...) is that the e-fan I swapped on my KJ also fits a 2004 WJ
(3 pins connector).

I can only guess that it was the fan clutch that prevented my KJ from overheating when the e-fan blew up
in tiny pieces (hard to believe, I know..).

 

[4x4kayak2112]

As far as the shroud goes.....can't you make one out of sheet aluminum and pop rivits? Just a idea, kinda like the old school rat rod days!

Sent from my Home Phone using Tapatalk

 

[JeepJeepster]

My 2004 already has the hd shroud so i wouldnt need that. Just need the clutch and fan blades.

Pretty sure the electric fan is good to go too.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

My 2004 already has the hd shroud so i wouldnt need that. Just need the clutch and fan blades.

Pretty sure the electric fan is good to go too.

Yep, all you need to do is install the clutch and fan and you're officially HD cooled.

Bob

 

[diyman]

To the OP

HD cooling is definitely a great thing but don't forget that it makes working in the engine bay a bit harder..

Also, even if removing the fan clutch + nylon fan assembly is easier said than done, don't forget You'll need
a 36 mm (or a cheaper adjustable one) wrench, not too thick or it won't slip through and a spanner wrench with
adapter pins. The 'belt on' trick IMHO only works on...Youtube, You'll need the spanner wrench, trust me.

I've purchased the reccomended Miller Tools 6958 with 8346 adaptor pins (ouch... $$$).

Reasons for fan clutch removal? Radiator(s) swap, engine mounts, R&P etc. so get used to it..

 

[diyman]

Ooops.. hadn't noticed that TwoBobsKJ explained the whole procedure (HD removal..) much better than me
just a few threads from here..

 

[tjkj2002]

Yep, all you need to do is install the clutch and fan and you're officially HD cooled.

Bob

Unless your KJ is a oddball one that came with the HD fan shroud you will also need the electric fan for the HD fan shroud.The stock e-fan will not bolt in the HD cooling fan shroud.


The electric fan is the main cooling fan while the mechanical is the AUX cooling fan.

 

[jschenck]

Was reading the how-to that twobobs posted earlier and though my fan shroud looked like the one he installed as the HD shroud. Took a few pics for you guys to look at...

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p556/jesterjeepster/image.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p556/jesterjeepster/image-1.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p556/jesterjeepster/image-2.jpg

Look like the HD shroud, or no?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Was reading the how-to that twobobs posted earlier and though my fan shroud looked like the one he installed as the HD shroud. Took a few pics for you guys to look at...

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p556/jesterjeepster/image.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p556/jesterjeepster/image-1.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p556/jesterjeepster/image-2.jpg

Look like the HD shroud, or no?

Bingo!! :waytogo:

Just like JeepJeepster's KJ, you already have the hardest part to source for the conversion to the HD cooling - including the fan tjkj2002 mentioned above. Dang, I'm jealous.

All you need is the Hayden clutch and the nylon fan noted earlier. As diyman said in his post, the challenge for those who want to do this mod is the cramped engine bay. Getting the oil filter off is a pain in the butt as is doing anything on the front of the engine. That's the reason I trimmed the bottom of the shroud so I can get it off relatively easily. I don't bother when I do oil changes - I just deal with a scraped up right arm :emotions122:

So jschenck, you're ready to go!

Bob

 

[AVR2]

I'm kind of surprised that people are saying it's hard to source the shroud-and-e-fan assembly for HD cooling. Dorman makes it, and it's available from RockAuto for $114 - see here, about halfway down the page.

I have one of these in my KJ, and it's been working just fine for the last 2 years. It was a direct swap for the OEM unit, and when I compared them visually, they were absolutely identical, right down to the "Beware Fan" wording (or whatever it says) embossed into the top of the shroud. For all I know, Dorman makes the OEM units.

 

[tjkj2002]

I'm kind of surprised that people are saying it's hard to source the shroud-and-e-fan assembly for HD cooling. Dorman makes it, and it's available from RockAuto for $114 - see here, about halfway down the page.

I have one of these in my KJ, and it's been working just fine for the last 2 years. It was a direct swap for the OEM unit, and when I compared them visually, they were absolutely identical, right down to the "Beware Fan" wording (or whatever it says) embossed into the top of the shroud. For all I know, Dorman makes the OEM units.

Dorman does not make the OE fan.When you work in the automotive repair area for a few years you kinda get the feel where to buy parts and what parts to stay away from for items like cooling fans,radiators,and engine sensors.

If you want to buy wheel studs Dorman is a great idea,if you want a quality cooling fan Dorman is not a good idea.

 

[AVR2]

I'd have to respectfully disagree. As far as I can tell, the Dorman fan is identical to the OEM one in every detail (including weight) and was a drop-in replacement. It's been running fine for 2 years now.

How are you sure that Dorman doesn't make the OEM fans, out of interest? Do you know who does?

 

[tjkj2002]

I'd have to respectfully disagree. As far as I can tell, the Dorman fan is identical to the OEM one in every detail (including weight) and was a drop-in replacement. It's been running fine for 2 years now.

How are you sure that Dorman doesn't make the OEM fans, out of interest? Do you know who does?

Your lucky,they usually don't last more then a year.


Oh and one is made is Mexico while the other is made in Taiwan/China.

 

[AVR2]

The country of manufacture is irrelevant, what matters is the quality of construction, and that can be good or crappy regardless of the country where it's made. I'm very happy with Dorman's fan assembly

 

[tjkj2002]

The country of manufacture is irrelevant, what matters is the quality of construction, and that can be good or crappy regardless of the country where it's made. I'm very happy with Dorman's fan assembly

After 17 years in the field the country of origin makes a huge difference in quality,more so in the last 10 years.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I'm kind of surprised that people are saying it's hard to source the shroud-and-e-fan assembly for HD cooling. Dorman makes it, and it's available from RockAuto for $114 - see here, about halfway down the page.

I have one of these in my KJ, and it's been working just fine for the last 2 years. It was a direct swap for the OEM unit, and when I compared them visually, they were absolutely identical, right down to the "Beware Fan" wording (or whatever it says) embossed into the top of the shroud. For all I know, Dorman makes the OEM units.

To resurrect this thread for some clarification...

Be sure you check the number of pins you have in your electric cooling fan connector. The one linked to in the quote above has three pins, which is correct for '05 and later KJ's (and some '04's.) If you have an '02 or '03 KJ yours will have 2 pins in the electric fan connector. The units linked to above won't work in the early KJ's as a direct swap - and I don't know if the 3 pin connection can be modded to work with the 2 pin units or not.

Just beware :waytogo:

Bob