I don't think you will need the electric fan in the winter. I also have a 98 4.0 5sp. Jeep cherokee 4x4 and I remove my mechanical fan every fall so basically I run around with no fan. (I live in Northern Oh.) The electric fan would never come on in the winter. But would come on in the fall or spring if I was sitting in line at a Drive through. Electric fan would kick on at about 218 like the everyone says. Just saying that you should never need your electric fan in the winter.

I would also like to add that I have an aftermarket brass 3 core radiator where the factory one is 2 core plastic/ aluminum radiator. I replaced mine because it was plugged.