Building the fan shroud. I wanted it to be deep to maximize the airflow through the whole radiator core, also to help keep the air focused as it exits the shroud. Normally I'd use aluminum, but the whole nature of this build is rugged-ness, and steel is so much more forgiving when it comes to wear and fatigue. Plus, if it does ever crack, anyone can weld it up. Not so with aluminum.
Here are the crappy electric fans we pulled out.
The Champion radiator already had good mounting bosses and flange, giving me plenty of room to secure the shroud.
Basic shroud begins with 16ga steel and then bent strategically at the edges of the fan blade tips.
Scribing the hole center the old school way.
And lastly, the new fan blade and clutch. OE fan for $35, aftermarket HD clutch for $65. Gotta love GM...