Hey just wanted to pass on this info, if you have seen the killer twin electric fan kit by Flex-a-lite and drooled only to become pissed and find out there is no application for 92-96 F150's, fear not. I spoke with Flex-a-lite engineering asking what's an older F150 owner to do?? He replied "Funny you ask that, you are not alone, so we are making one." After the first of the year they will be offering a kit specific for us earlier model folks as part #295. It is the same fans (5500cfm at 100%) and variable speed control with thermostat and A/C relay. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess the price will be in the same neighborhood as the other kits ($325ish).

 

Nice ......just what i've been waiting for.I was gonna buy the universal mount setup.
Thanks for the info.

Jerry D.

 

5500 cfm's now THAT's a fan!

 

I have always heard that FAL fans dont put out what they are rated at, and I have heard a few pwople tell me that the motors have burnt up on them. I think I will stick to the Military grade Derale Fans when I convert to the electric fans

 

I ran a Flex-a-lite Black Magic single fan on my 89 5.0 mustang and never had a problem, just set the themostsat and forget about it. The thing I like about the new kit is the variable speed controller, it only spins the fans at about 60% under most conditions for minimum amperage draw. It only kicks out the jam when things get hot like heavy towing or on hot days (I live in Florida, I see HOT days!). If I remember correctly it draws 24 amps at 100%, so it ain't no slouch in the hunger for power department, if you don't have a tow package alternator, I'd install one before installing this fan. Going with any electric fan is taking a chance I suppose should it fail. Paying careful attention to detail on the installation goes along way for reliability and longevity. I guess which ever one of us installs one first can pass on in a post how well it works. By the way Beastie, Derale fans are great fans from what I've heard, many racers use them. You just have to rig your own system though, I don't believe they offer a ready made kit for our trucks, but that's half the fun, right?!?!

 

FYI:
The new #295 has dual 13.5" fans, the same motor and a fan with a new angle as the #270 dual 15" for 97+. The output is not as high as the #270@5500CFM, the #295 is rated @ 4600CFM. The fan measures 27.5 x 17.5" and covers 80-96 F series trucks. For now it's a "universal" kit, a kit for 85-96 should be coming late 03. The #295 starts shipping January 03.

As to how Flex-a-lite fans are rated, If your in Western Washington, stop by and I will give you a tour of our R&D. I show you how we test our fans on our windtunnel.
The other guys buy there fans pre-assembled from someone else. I keep hearing about 'mil-spec' parts, never seen the mil-spec # though.

Cooler

 

Military spec = 20,000hrs
I to have heard good things about the FAL fans, but at the last drag race event, not 1 car had them, they were all Derale, I am just stating the obvious. Why would they pay more for a Derale fan if a FAL is just as good/ better?

 

Hey thanks for the "correction" there Cooler. I am going to assume you are one of the factory guys from your comments. I'd like to say thanks for not forgeting us "older truck" owners.
Makes sense on the smaller fan size since our radiator is not as wide as the new models, guess it was too hard to fit the dual 15's. Hey Beastie, race cars usually have a switch, on or off, way different application than our daily drivers. Besides, guys that race like to spend money like us, only worse!!!

 

Military specs will vary from product to product. I have no idea where 20,000 hours is coming into the picture, nor what apps are using Derale fans.

A great number of mil spec items are the same as you buy off the shelf, but they must submit a contract. The contract specifics dictate replacements, etc. Long story short they are often paying more for an extended warranty and nothing more. In other cases it is a specific product design, but usually not. The military system demands availability and certain specs. They might pay more for a product, but have a guarantee that replacements are available quick.


I never saw an electric fan on anything military other than the stock cars used to run people around. All the trucks used reg mechanical fans, usually with the heavy cooling system. This might have changed but I doubt it. I'd like to see an electric fan on a military truck.

 

Fast Pony:

Marketing got the website updated with info and picture of the new fan

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/295.htm

This new fan will ship in January 03.