Be cool to see the results! And yes, pun intended.
I gave serious thought to this when you brought up details. Instant control could have such an impact like you are coming up to the same hill you know always raises temps, so kicking it on early and dropping
Temps a bit before the load can make a nice difference.
I am just so focused on 100% lockup for my Hummer because of a couple friends in the USMC that experimented with hmmwvs and the difference of 85% lockup vs 100% cost them some engines. Hummer/ hmmwv cooling system design & aerodynamics is SO much worse than any GM pickup it is sad.
For pickups I know the 100% would help, but this should make a nice difference.
I imagine in the dash controls for temps setting so guys running long flatland runs and allowing their temp to dial in up to 205 to get the extra bump in mpg from the free heat, and then when the temps raise a hair too much being able to just turn it down.
And of coarse the all important towing heavy today so kick that fan in super early the whole time and pay a tad more in diesel to keep the engine way aways from any danger.
Then just keep it at the safe normal levels for day to day driving most of the year. I expect similar use from 100% lockup, but the electro-viscous should do better at the mpg side of things on this is my guess.
Has this rig been tracked mpg recently? If so, awesome. Please let us know any details on that along with cooling differences.