You certainly have one sweet CJ7. I own a 1980 CJ7 with a 350 that does not have an electric fan. The previous owner did the engine swap and the engine he installed was a pretty basic no bells or whistles GM Goodwrench universal 350 crate engine. It does have a fixed fan that turns at all times the engine is running. Additionally the previous owner installed an auxiliary electric fan that is mounted between the grill and the radiator. The purpose of the auxiliary fan was supposed to be to cool either the engine or radiator in the event that the fixed fan wasn't adequately cooling in extreme conditions/temperatures. There is no thermostat to my auxiliary fan, it must be manually turned on with a switch. The fixed fan does a really good job at keeping my engine cool and I have never needed to turn on the aux fan, but I have just for the hell of it and what happens is bizarre. It causes my engine temperature to rise, and rather quickly. It is actually so effective that in the winter when its cold I will turn it on and my engine will come up to operating temp in half the time. Any ideas what could possibly cause this? I haven't really taken the time to analyze whats happening and the only thing I can think of is that maybe the aux fan spins in the opposite direction of the fixed fan...but that is a wild guess and i'm not sure if that would even cause such a reaction. Any ideas?
Thank you. That sounds unusual for sure and does sound like it's not mounted correctly. Good thing is you haven't needed it whereas my fans turn on most of the time my Jeep is running once it warms up. Let me know if you figure it out, kinda hard without looking at it from my perspective. JD
Your Jeep looks great! Thanks for the video, my son and I are remodeling an 85 CJ7 and just finished our Painless Harness (thanks to you!) Anyways, thanks for the content.
Thank you so much for that feedback. I love hearing that my videos are helpful and encouraging a father/son relationship. Glad you liked the wiring videos. JD
Hey JD, the temp switch actually sends a ground to the relay. When the switch gets hot it expands and grounds out on the block. A quick way to check it next time is just take the connector off the temp switch and touch it to the block. Also, I’m not saying what you did is wrong, (just might burn out the switch inside the jeep with the draw of power from the fan) but if you were to tap into the ground of the relay or the temp switch wire, and then use the switch in the truck to switch the ground to the relay it would be a lot safer. Just my .02 worth. Loving the videos keep em coming!
Appreciate the feedback. So the switch I got was a 25 amp switch and should hold up to the current draw from an electric fan. So a safer way to do it is to run a ground from the battery to the switch and then to the wire that connects to the switch? Honestly I don't know much about wiring even though I rewired my whole Jeep so help me understand how you are suggesting to wire it. JD
@@JDOffline I’m just suggesting switching the ground of the relay. So to test this theory, turn your ignition on and then take that spade terminal you put on (that goes to the temp switch you replaced) and touch it to the block of your motor. The electric fan should come on. If it does, then you can tap into that wire and run it to the switch you installed in your Jeep. Then put that wire on one leg of the switch in your Jeep and then on the other leg, run it to a ground. I tested this theory on my Camaro today and if you would like, I can make a video and put it on my channel for you.
I also found this site with a good wiring diagram towards the bottom of the page. The (grey) sending unit wire in the diagrams is the same wire that you put that spade terminal onto. Hope this helps explains what I’m trying to convey. www.hotrodhotline.com/md/html/fan_control.php
@@BackyardGarage1 Yes that actually makes a lot of sense but I'm still not clear on why it's better to bypass it at the switch before the relay. This setup assumes your relay hasn't failed if you wire it up this way. Kind of defeats the purpose of the emergency bypass if you wire it into the relay doesn't it? You still have a bypass I get it but only if your relay is still working. Thanks for the link and info. JD
What model fan did you use? There are a lot of options but I really like the way yours fits to the radiator. I am about 3 years into restoring a 1983 CJ8. I watch all your videos and appreciate all your information you share.THANKS!
Hey Al! Man I'm jealous of that CJ8!! Hard to even find anymore so hang on to that one. So I got my radiator, shroud and electric fan all from Novak Conversions. I'm not entirely sure the exact part number for the fan. I looked back through my records and didn't see it but if you call them I'm sure they can steer you down the right path, they were great to work with. Thanks for following along on the channel and good luck with your build. Would love to see some pics of the CJ8. My email is JD_Offline@yahoo.com
I don't know the rated current for the toggle switch, but I'd connect the switch in parallel to the sensor in the engine block, so that it will power the relay coil instead of powering the fan directly. Fans usually draw more power than toggle switches can handle, so you could check if yours can handle the current drawn by the fan.
As long as it is working it is wired through a relay. The bypass is for emergencies only and it runs on a 25 amp switch. How are you suggesting I should wire it up? JD
@@JDOffline 25A may seem okay because your average automotive fan will probably have a running draw of 20A or so. But the startup/inrush current could be 50-60A. To wire in parallel I think you would wire your switch to the relay signal wire (terminal 86), where your temperature sensor is connected already. Hopefully Radu can confirm or correct me on that; I have wired one of these but it's been a while.
Awesome video JD... I just put in the Ford Contuor fan in my CJ. Do you happen to know the part # for the lower and upper radiator hoses that you used with the Chevy? Thanks- Kevin
Thanks Kevin. You’ll have to search through some older videos when I’m putting the radiator in. I know I have the part numbers for the upper and lower hoses. Sorry I don’t remember them. Good luck w your Jeep. JD
@@kevingalloway8065 I’ll reply to your other comment about the brakes but when I’m on my computer. Lots to say about that one. Can’t type that much on my phone.
Hey Scott. It’s from speed hut. Look on my channel there’s a couple videos on them. They have a package for CJs and they are customizable. Not cheap but the quality is there and the install was not bad. There’s a video on my channel of the re wiring of my Jeep and the install is covered as well. Hope this helps. No regrets w these gauges and I did a ton of research on them. Also they do occasionally go on sale. JD
@@JDOffline Awesome! Many thanks!!! My wife inherited her Dad's '85 CJ7. We have other issues to take care of first (main issue is the "death wobble"), but I wanted to ask because I looooove the speedometer gauge.
@@rse1973 that’s great! The gauges are awesome. If you go back in my Jeep series to the earlier videos to the one where I put on the psc steering gear box you will see how that solved my issue w the steering slop and wobble. Everyone changes the bearings and ball joints etc first as I did but that box solved my issue. Steering is still tight to this day. Another expensive item but worth it. I’m about to start making videos again in a month or so we just built a house and just moved in. Hope you tune in and keep in touch. JD
You certainly have one sweet CJ7. I own a 1980 CJ7 with a 350 that does not have an electric fan. The previous owner did the engine swap and the engine he installed was a pretty basic no bells or whistles GM Goodwrench universal 350 crate engine. It does have a fixed fan that turns at all times the engine is running. Additionally the previous owner installed an auxiliary electric fan that is mounted between the grill and the radiator. The purpose of the auxiliary fan was supposed to be to cool either the engine or radiator in the event that the fixed fan wasn't adequately cooling in extreme conditions/temperatures. There is no thermostat to my auxiliary fan, it must be manually turned on with a switch. The fixed fan does a really good job at keeping my engine cool and I have never needed to turn on the aux fan, but I have just for the hell of it and what happens is bizarre. It causes my engine temperature to rise, and rather quickly. It is actually so effective that in the winter when its cold I will turn it on and my engine will come up to operating temp in half the time. Any ideas what could possibly cause this? I haven't really taken the time to analyze whats happening and the only thing I can think of is that maybe the aux fan spins in the opposite direction of the fixed fan...but that is a wild guess and i'm not sure if that would even cause such a reaction. Any ideas?
Thank you. That sounds unusual for sure and does sound like it's not mounted correctly. Good thing is you haven't needed it whereas my fans turn on most of the time my Jeep is running once it warms up. Let me know if you figure it out, kinda hard without looking at it from my perspective. JD
Your Jeep looks great! Thanks for the video, my son and I are remodeling an 85 CJ7 and just finished our Painless Harness (thanks to you!) Anyways, thanks for the content.
Thank you so much for that feedback. I love hearing that my videos are helpful and encouraging a father/son relationship. Glad you liked the wiring videos. JD
Hey JD, the temp switch actually sends a ground to the relay. When the switch gets hot it expands and grounds out on the block. A quick way to check it next time is just take the connector off the temp switch and touch it to the block. Also, I’m not saying what you did is wrong, (just might burn out the switch inside the jeep with the draw of power from the fan) but if you were to tap into the ground of the relay or the temp switch wire, and then use the switch in the truck to switch the ground to the relay it would be a lot safer. Just my .02 worth. Loving the videos keep em coming!
Appreciate the feedback. So the switch I got was a 25 amp switch and should hold up to the current draw from an electric fan. So a safer way to do it is to run a ground from the battery to the switch and then to the wire that connects to the switch? Honestly I don't know much about wiring even though I rewired my whole Jeep so help me understand how you are suggesting to wire it. JD
@@JDOffline I’m just suggesting switching the ground of the relay. So to test this theory, turn your ignition on and then take that spade terminal you put on (that goes to the temp switch you replaced) and touch it to the block of your motor. The electric fan should come on. If it does, then you can tap into that wire and run it to the switch you installed in your Jeep. Then put that wire on one leg of the switch in your Jeep and then on the other leg, run it to a ground. I tested this theory on my Camaro today and if you would like, I can make a video and put it on my channel for you.
I also found this site with a good wiring diagram towards the bottom of the page. The (grey) sending unit wire in the diagrams is the same wire that you put that spade terminal onto. Hope this helps explains what I’m trying to convey.
www.hotrodhotline.com/md/html/fan_control.php
@@BackyardGarage1 Yes that actually makes a lot of sense but I'm still not clear on why it's better to bypass it at the switch before the relay. This setup assumes your relay hasn't failed if you wire it up this way. Kind of defeats the purpose of the emergency bypass if you wire it into the relay doesn't it? You still have a bypass I get it but only if your relay is still working. Thanks for the link and info. JD
Hey JD, That is great advice Backyard Garage gave you. I need to do the same to my CJ7 also. Before I put it back on the road. Great video!!
What model fan did you use? There are a lot of options but I really like the way yours fits to the radiator. I am about 3 years into restoring a 1983 CJ8. I watch all your videos and appreciate all your information you share.THANKS!
Hey Al! Man I'm jealous of that CJ8!! Hard to even find anymore so hang on to that one. So I got my radiator, shroud and electric fan all from Novak Conversions. I'm not entirely sure the exact part number for the fan. I looked back through my records and didn't see it but if you call them I'm sure they can steer you down the right path, they were great to work with. Thanks for following along on the channel and good luck with your build. Would love to see some pics of the CJ8. My email is JD_Offline@yahoo.com
I don't know the rated current for the toggle switch, but I'd connect the switch in parallel to the sensor in the engine block, so that it will power the relay coil instead of powering the fan directly. Fans usually draw more power than toggle switches can handle, so you could check if yours can handle the current drawn by the fan.
Seconding this. I think you're almost always going to want to run an automotive fan through a relay due to the high load.
It's a 25 amp switch so I would think it would hold up. Can you explain more about how you are suggesting to wire it? JD
As long as it is working it is wired through a relay. The bypass is for emergencies only and it runs on a 25 amp switch. How are you suggesting I should wire it up? JD
@@JDOffline 25A may seem okay because your average automotive fan will probably have a running draw of 20A or so. But the startup/inrush current could be 50-60A. To wire in parallel I think you would wire your switch to the relay signal wire (terminal 86), where your temperature sensor is connected already. Hopefully Radu can confirm or correct me on that; I have wired one of these but it's been a while.
@@IndianaTony you are correct sir!
Awesome video JD... I just put in the Ford Contuor fan in my CJ. Do you happen to know the part # for the lower and upper radiator hoses that you used with the Chevy? Thanks- Kevin
Thanks Kevin. You’ll have to search through some older videos when I’m putting the radiator in. I know I have the part numbers for the upper and lower hoses. Sorry I don’t remember them. Good luck w your Jeep. JD
Look at jeep update 58 at 18:30. The video that talks about radiator clearance issues I believe it’s 58. JD
Thanks for the quick reply JD
@@kevingalloway8065 I’ll reply to your other comment about the brakes but when I’m on my computer. Lots to say about that one. Can’t type that much on my phone.
Where did you purchase your electronic speedometer gauge?
Hey Scott. It’s from speed hut. Look on my channel there’s a couple videos on them. They have a package for CJs and they are customizable. Not cheap but the quality is there and the install was not bad. There’s a video on my channel of the re wiring of my Jeep and the install is covered as well. Hope this helps. No regrets w these gauges and I did a ton of research on them. Also they do occasionally go on sale. JD
@@JDOffline Awesome! Many thanks!!! My wife inherited her Dad's '85 CJ7. We have other issues to take care of first (main issue is the "death wobble"), but I wanted to ask because I looooove the speedometer gauge.
@@rse1973 that’s great! The gauges are awesome. If you go back in my Jeep series to the earlier videos to the one where I put on the psc steering gear box you will see how that solved my issue w the steering slop and wobble. Everyone changes the bearings and ball joints etc first as I did but that box solved my issue. Steering is still tight to this day. Another expensive item but worth it. I’m about to start making videos again in a month or so we just built a house and just moved in. Hope you tune in and keep in touch. JD
😁👍👌
Thank you Jose!! JD