Auxiliary Cooling fan setup for 3rd Gen?

Few weeks ago, my '21 Tacoma TRD OR V6 overheated. It was on a trail run, crawling uphill in 4 high at high elevation in the mountains of Southern Nevada with several other trucks. Full AC was going and had several people in the truck. Was around 90 degrees outside on a tight trail with no airflow. Temp gauge never hit red but it came close. Overflow tank boiled over a little but not much. Let the truck cool down and it ran fine the rest of the day. It's never done this before and hasn't done it since. It's possible I pushed it too hard so I have a CSF radiator on order, this won't be the last time I'll be out there in those conditions.




I know it's possible but I searched and couldn't find anything on the 3rd Gen Tacoma. In addition to the upgraded radiator, I'd like to install a switch-activated auxiliary fan setup for an extra edge in the most extreme situations. Has anyone installed such a fan setup or have any info on one?

 

Use the fourm search function- a couple people have eliminated the OEM fan and slapped on a electric fan.

Also...if your truck is getting that hot, shut off the AC, open the windows and turn on the heater and blast it. Quick way to shed some engine heat

 

not exactly ideal when it's 110 degrees out

 

I’d start with the CSF, then maybe upgraded electric fans. But the heater trick is good when in a pinch.

 

Blast it to the feet if you're still driving so you don't kill yourself. ha

 

I did some digging and can only find swaps. I think OP is hoping for info on the TSB to add an electric fan, perhaps? Anyone have it done?

 

Running in next lower gear to increase fan speed works!

 

I have @Deo taco cooling fan and it's worked well for me. My truck will idle with 118* ambient temps and still blow ~55* AC. There's no free lunch though, @ 100% command, she pulls about 47amps.

 

I think the TSB only applies to adding an additional fan for the A/C, which is quite a bit smaller then a secondary fan will be.

OP, I would start with the radiator you have on-order. If the new radiator is aluminum (I'm assuming it is) then that may solve your problem. I had a similar issue with my off-road car and switching from a plastic 1 or 2 row radiator to a 3 row aluminum radiator solved my problems and now that car rarely exceeds 200F.

One last thing, think about adding a Scan Gauge so you can monitor actual water temp and not rely on the needle which doesn't tell you actual temps. I added a Scan Gauge to my work truck (not a Toyota but has needle gauges with no numbers on them) a couple of years ago and when I started pulling a long grade on a hot day I noticed that the water temperature increased by ~20 degrees before the needle on the dash moved. Sort of useless information but could come-in handy.

 

I would second getting a scan gauge. When towing or 4 wheeling the tran temps can get very hot. I added an external tranny cooler (Long Tru-Cool LPD Transmission Oil Cooler 4543) since I tow a lot. Where it really made the difference is on long climbs the TC would be pumping out 215 while the pan would stay at 190-195 for much longer than originally.

I did not notice any difference to the water temp, with and without.

 

I think you should take your truck in to get looked at, I’ve been in some pretty hot places and have never overheated. Also with your temp gauge rising that much some damage could have been done.

 

ps. on my 2015, I had aux tran cooler and elec fan. I was often in traffic then... even though it was a higher volume fan, it made little difference to my tran temps when on vs when off.

 

EDIT:

Better hot than toasting your engine.

 

https://www.pepboys.com/hayden-radiator-mist-system/product/9499823
or build your own...

 

Thanks to all that replied to the thread! I had been looking for a solution to monitor water/coolant temp but had not considered Scan Gauge. After a little searching, I see there is already a Blendmount mirror mounting kit for it! I already use the Blendmount Radar Detector mount so this will be perfect!! Excited to post the completed photos...

 

The @SpikerEng mount works well for me too

 

turn on heat, turn off A/C, shift t-case into 4lo on steep steady climbs or manually select a lower transmission gear(lower gearing, faster engine RPM's will keep mechanical fan spinning faster, better cooling)

these are all BASIC offroading tips... how have you not read any of this anywhere? another good upgrade is waterless coolant (not known if compatible with toyota coolant or not) but it withstands higher temps, and has better heat conductivity properties.. another expensive upgrade would be to get a dedicated trans cooler/fan instead of the integrated rad cooler, and a dedicated 4 core coolant radiator..

 

I was gonna suggest the same shift in 4 L when climbing steep hills and then back into 4 H when you level out. You are making the truck work too darn hard in 4H. Just saying

 

The csf radiator is junk , I bought one and it went right back . The afe I picked up was great , the thing about the afe tho is you need to get a 2nd gen shroud and bushings for it to work on the third gen . And the Oem shroud figment it really tight and I shaved it to fit perfect. I also added the derale 15875 with spall fan for the trans that holds 32 oz more and the fan pulls 800 cfm. Either way good luck

 

I'd be interested to hear about your experience. Seen some good reviews about them so far.