Thinking to buy the 180f thermostat to replace the original or to retrofit it to an inline thermostat
Want to prolong the head gasket
New hg 20k ago the truck idels above 200f
Thanks for any suggestions

 

which year truck do you have? Does it have a 4.0 or 4.6?
There's not one silver bullet answer to your question. With a new radiator, HD Fanc Clutch, correctly bled system and a tropical thermostat, my 04 will occasionally idle over 200, usually at first warm up before it drops to around 188-194. 03 and 04's came without an oil cooler. If you want it to run much cooler than this and without the spikes that we see with the factory design, you're going to have to do the inline mod.

 

It's an 02

 

Have you checked the Viscous fan yet?

Having done the tropical TStat myself, I'd skip that step, install the HD Hayden fan clutch, new radiator and do the inline mod.

 

Second that on checking the fan clutch. Hayden has a severe duty that helps a ton on idle. Also if you stay with the LR stat arrangement make sure you stick with an original part. Went through two MR 180F stats before switching to a LR genuine. Big difference mainly in the spikes.

 

Actually decided to the the inline mod
Ordered all the parts
Will update upon completion
Thanks to all

 

Good choice,
For lower hose don't use that BMW hose every tread talks about, it's wrong,,,,
Use Gates 22073 Hose, it fits like it was made for it,

 

Update
Installed the 180 inline
20 min idle between 178 and 183 flactuation
Kept the old bleeder just capped of the extra end till the right parts arrive


Thermostat on right

 

Please feel free to chime in

 

Not to shabby, but the point of that conversion is 2 eliminate the LR stuff and get the thermostat closer to the engine. I would think that in its current position, it would take forever to open up.

Personally, I would move it back closer to the engine block.