Whats the logic to changing the fan clutch over to a 7.3l fan. My fan clutch is starting to crap out. I'm wanting to know why people are changing over to the 7.3l fan clutch style. I have a switch fitted to my upfitter switches to cool the engine down if the computer doesn't do an adequate job to overide the computer. I like having the control of the fan via the switch but perhaps that is why the my electric clutch wore out. I suspect that its the original fan clutch and it has 217,000 miles on it. If I can get another 200,000 miles out of a new electric fan clutch, why not do it? By the time you buy the 7.3 adapter and the mechanical clutch, you're almost up to the same price as the electric fan clutch, so what's the logic here?
Xalky
logic is the 7.3 mod is passive the 6.0 blue wire mod you have to be "active"
i like the blue wire and i use it often and have for years without issue
i like the blue wire and i use it often and have for years without issue
I wouldn't call the stock 6.0 clutch "unreliable," but you would be hard pressed to find two 6.0 owners who would describe the operation of their stock clutch in the same way. Mine seemed to never be on and - when it was - being barely audible. ...and others described theirs coming on all of the time and sounding like a freight train. To that end, the 7.3 clutch is the energizer bunny.
If I had to do it all over again, I would probably get the 6.0 plow clutch instead and go blue.
If I had to do it all over again, I would probably get the 6.0 plow clutch instead and go blue.
I went back and forth with the idea.
My vistronic fan never did a "great" job, but then again it was never full engage as the fan is capable of operating under full voltage.
Hindsight, I like the 7.3 fan clutch. It works fantastic and although noisier than the OEM, I never worry about having to watch my temps so closely and then remember to engage the fan.
I would not own a 6.0 without it.....but that's just me.
Good Luck
My vistronic fan never did a "great" job, but then again it was never full engage as the fan is capable of operating under full voltage.
Hindsight, I like the 7.3 fan clutch. It works fantastic and although noisier than the OEM, I never worry about having to watch my temps so closely and then remember to engage the fan.
I would not own a 6.0 without it.....but that's just me.
Good Luck
IMO, If your clutch is going bad, then it'd be the time for a 7.3 clutch, not before. My temps EOT and ECT with the BPD air cooled cooler rarely get above 200, and that's only when towing my RV up a hill. Not even when it is 110° out. So, I don't think you'd need the blue wire mod. I'm not saying to replace a bad 6.0 clutch with a 7.3. If the truck gets another 10 years and 200000 miles on the new 6.0 clutch its fine. I'm also not convinced cooler engine oils add to engine longevity, especially with a synthetic oil. The trucks are designed to run hot.
I liked the stock 6.0 fan clutch although it did fail on me. Temps would rise at idle and cool down when moving. Replaced it and went years with no issues. Custom tuning had the fan dialed in pretty well, but eventually that clutch began failing too.
It wouldn't have been a big deal, but I was towing and had to drive based on temp (30-45 mph) to keep from overheating and make it home. AC off and windows down with the family complaining.
I switched to 7.3 clutch based on reliability. If/when it fails it fails engaged. I would much rather hear the fan all the time while towing instead of it not engaging and overheating.
I've towed twice now. Both times in 100-115 degree heat. The fan has stayed on pretty much the whole drive. It's not very loud when in OD at 60ish mph. Higher rpm yield more noise and can get annoying, but TEMPS... WOW!!! Far outweigh the noise for me.
1st trip was pulling a 16-17k lb toyhauler. Flat ground ECT temps were 199-205(105-115 ambient)
2nd trip was a smaller toyhauler (12k lbs roughly). Similar ECT temps (95-100 ambient).
The truck runs cooler towing. It's great and there is more peace of mind. No staring at gauges and flipping a switch anticipating hills. Like somebody said "7.3 clutch is passive. 6.0 with blue wire mod is active".
I find nothing wrong with 6.0 fan clutch when it's working, but because I tow and don't want to risk a trip cancellation I will stick to the 7.3 clutch. If I didn't tow I'd stick to the stock clutch.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
It wouldn't have been a big deal, but I was towing and had to drive based on temp (30-45 mph) to keep from overheating and make it home. AC off and windows down with the family complaining.
I switched to 7.3 clutch based on reliability. If/when it fails it fails engaged. I would much rather hear the fan all the time while towing instead of it not engaging and overheating.
I've towed twice now. Both times in 100-115 degree heat. The fan has stayed on pretty much the whole drive. It's not very loud when in OD at 60ish mph. Higher rpm yield more noise and can get annoying, but TEMPS... WOW!!! Far outweigh the noise for me.
1st trip was pulling a 16-17k lb toyhauler. Flat ground ECT temps were 199-205(105-115 ambient)
2nd trip was a smaller toyhauler (12k lbs roughly). Similar ECT temps (95-100 ambient).
The truck runs cooler towing. It's great and there is more peace of mind. No staring at gauges and flipping a switch anticipating hills. Like somebody said "7.3 clutch is passive. 6.0 with blue wire mod is active".
I find nothing wrong with 6.0 fan clutch when it's working, but because I tow and don't want to risk a trip cancellation I will stick to the 7.3 clutch. If I didn't tow I'd stick to the stock clutch.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
For 289k my 2006 w/OEM Snow Plow Pack never had a fan issue. To swap in a 7.3 style "just cause" seems like some expensive work. If you already have the motor getting other work it might be a good idea. Never considered the idea myself but a lower cost "on-demand" fan could be a secondary electric running off a thermo probe/switch.
Either way can solve the issue, if there is one....LOL
Either way can solve the issue, if there is one....LOL
It all comes down to preference. I've done all 3 of the popular mods and the 7.3 conversion is hands down the best for me and the way I roll. It's noisy on 1st take off and after the first few miles or minutes it's never in the forefront or even on my mind.
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