I live in the Phoenix Arizona area so it's hot. So hot in fact that my fan runs almost constantly. It sounds like a 747 and I'm tired of the roar of the fan so I want to get an electric fan.
So what is the best set up for these trucks?
mine is a 2003 FX4 with a 5.4 liter

 

The best? The old adage of, "you get what you pay for," IMO doesn't apply for this one. There are some fan\shroud kits available that to me anyway, are priced in the stupid range. $400 to $800 and more isn't uncommon but I don't think there's any need for that but if you have more money than you know what to do with, sure why not? Try a salvage yard.

 

The truck is 17 years old, and in very hot and dry conditions. I would look at replacing the fan clutch before looking at the expense of buying and installing electric fans.

Motorcraft W/ AC

 

The fan that is there seems to be working as it should. It's just loud. I don't think it needs replacing because it failed. After doing a bit of research, I think an electric fan might benefit me is city driving as well as noise abatement on the highway

 

If it is loud on the freeway, your fan clutch is probably bad. It is thermal, and uses a liquid for proper function. When they go bad, you will usually see some seepage on the shaft between the WP pulley and the clutch hub itself.

 

JMO but for the average daily driver there are many more benefits to swapping to an electric fan than to stick with a mechanical fan.

 

Electric fans are commodity and cheap today.
i wouldnt stress as much about brand as 10 yrs ago.
chances are, all from chinese factories...regardless.

I replaced fan in wifes pilot last yr....$45

 

I live in Fla. And the newer F150 stop at a light in the summer, the electric fans are far from quit.

 

I believe you mean “quiet.” No one realistically does fans to make it quiet. They do it for the reduced strain on the motor, which converts to MPG and an extremely small amount of torque, which is only present in acceleration.

 

I would add that electric fans aren't tied to engine rotation. Depending on the amount of control the fan controller provides they are more efficient than mechanical fans. For example, many electric fans will shut off at high way speeds if they're not needed because the vehicle speed alone provides enough cooling. Of course like you pointed out though this also reduces the load on the engine which means more power is available.