I have recently read about a few of you removing your mechanical fan. I'm just curious about all the pros and cons of doing this, whether it's worth it or not.

Pros:
Possible increase in MPG.
Makes removal and install of belt a lot easier.

Cons:
Increased chance of overheating when towing heavy loads or driving up steep mountains.

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U.S. Army Retired

Just guessing but I suspect mpg increase would be minimal at best. Other thoughts:
1. the OEM mechanical fan clutch is a known weak point - best replace with Hayden 2905 (Amazon $53.31)
2. consider replacing the steel mechanical fan with the lighter nylon one used on the gasser PN 52079654AD or 52079654AE
3. if you do either of the above or when you do the timing belt job the fan and fan shroud have to come out together, unless you pull all the front end stuff per Sir Sam's videos. When pulling together a) put a towel between the fan and the radiator to prevent radiator damage; b) be careful not to misplace the 2 fan shroud bolt as length is critical and do your self a favor by securing the matching nuts in their retaining slots with zip ties; and c) cut the bottom half of the fan shroud off just below the ears used to bolt it on and throw away the bottom half (makes future removal of fan a such a breeze).

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

I diligently monitor fuel economy by hand and removed the mechanical fan 14 months ago. At most I see about 1mpg gain but did swap a dodgy u-joint and did the timing belt at the same time so the gain may not be attributable to the fan.

One other thing to bear in mind is that fan is not only providing airflow for the cooling system

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Share your ideas freely at https://www.facebook.com/groups/libertydiesels/

I would have to imagine that removing the fan would only help MPG's if you do a lot of around town driving where you rpm's are changing a lot and your torque converter is unlocked. If you are cruising on the highway then the fan stays about the same speed constantly so the engine doesnt have to work to accelerate it and probably doesnt have to do to much work to keep it spinning since you have the air coming through the radiator at high speed already.

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2006 CRD - GTB2056 turbo by Dieselguy86, Eco Trans Tune, Lift Pump, Week's, HDS Tstat, Racor Filter, ARP's, OME 790's+Top Plate, JBA 2.5", JBA UCA, Moab's+265/75R16, ARB Bull Bar, 4.10's, TrueTracs