Can I ditch the engine mounted fan if I relocate the radiator to behind the cab (with electric fan there)?

Or will I have problems with too high temps around the engine? I assume I will cut vent holes in the hood at the rear corners.

Full story:
I have a 2 door RRC with a sound 3.5 and salvageable frame sitting in the driveway waiting to be turned into something. Current plan is to bob the frame, cut the body behind the doors and make it into a pickup with small stepside-style bed and mount Volvo portals. (Picking up a second set on Sunday, wooho!) I'd like it to be as mud proof as a gasser can be, and losing the fan should improve things. That will also leave space for a winch behind the grille. But will I be in trouble with heat build up with regards to carbs etc?

Also, what radiator should i choose, given that I don't really have any space constraints? It's a manual, so no integral oil cooler. I have a Kenlowe that I will most likely use, and I assume I want an uprated radiator for the work I plan to do with the truck. The most economical choice would probably be to get a new LR radiator from the UK, but for what model?

Btw, this is low budget. The RR set me back $500 and the portals $750. I get 5" lift from the portals, so I will start with otherwise stock suspension. Lockers included, too.

I will still cost me something with 36-42" IROK's, beadlocks, fuel cell, cage, winch, and seats. I also expect to replace a few body parts. But it should be a fun wheeler for modest money. It MAY be possible to get it street legal, but that is of low importance unless I plan to enter it in Challenge comps (street legality required).

Mud Buggy guys do it all the time over here.. Keeps the radiator clean... Of course Rock Buggy guys put the radiator wherever they can... The airflow through the Radiator is kind of impotant at higher speeds as it can flow more than a fan can.. In some cases I have seen where a number of louvers in the hood will allow the hot engine air to get out even without a raditaor..

Thank's Keith,
relocating rads is pretty common here too, but I haven't given the fan thing much thought. Hopefully works without with a few 2" holes bored at the rear corners of the hood, and no rad in front restricting flow.

Now, the old one is shot (borrowed one from Tobbjo to get it home last summer) and I will need a new one. Instinct tells me bigger is better, but is there a bigger LR rad without integral oil cooler? Or should I be contemplating two rads in series?

Christer,

As per above, moving the rad in behind, provided you have plenty of fan to get airflow through it is not a problem and is done commonly enough. As you rightly suspect, at slow speeds, you may get a heat build up in the engine bay that challenge the rad set up's ability to cope. I recall that some friends who have a 110 rallying in the Middle East significantly cut down engine bay temps by cutting exhaust louvers in the lower rear corners - but they had high airflow through the rad panel and scoops in the wingtops to aid in circulating air - and were generally running at high speed.

If aesthetic concerns are not primary, what about a cheapo electric pull fan on a manual switch mounted in the bonnet ? You can cover it with a lovered shroud so that it doesn't leave the engine exposed to the elements from above and if engine temps start creeping up, you can flick it on to help exhaust hot air from the engine bay. Unless you have mud or water over the bonnet, you can use it whenever you like and if you are that deep in mud or water, I doubt the 3.5 is going to be running anyway....

I'd like it to be cheap, simple an non-electric if possible. I probably should save the fan and just put it back in if I get a problem. Should still be enough space for a winch behind the grille.

BTW, RPR, how happy are you with the portals and your relatively small engine? What size tires? Looking at the gearing, the 3.5 should be OK with fairly big rubber, particulary if I succed in shedding weight when I cut the body etc. But then again, it may be hard to spin the wheels to clear mud.

No complaints offroad with 36" tyres and the 2.25. On road it does take a while to work up to max speed of @ 45/50mph (downhill with a tailwind) but the important thing is offroad and that's just fine.

cheers,