One of the things I've always despised with the D2 is the way the hoses are ran. If something busts, I'm screwed because no one around my area carries the upper or lower radiator hoses. The upper hose is $60 - $100 depending on where you order it, and the lower hose is $40 -$60 (or more). I've got the original hoses on mine, so I really need to replace them anyways. So for well over $100 not including the thermostat which I need to replace since it's the original from 2001 (which adds another $40 - $50), I'd say I'm saving money by doing this mod. And time for me isn't really an issue since I'm waiting on my heads from the machine shop to do the upper engine rebuild...

Here's the Pro's to me:

• Easy to find hoses to replace those that fail
• Cheaper thermostats ($10-$12 vs $40-$50)
• Much Much easier, cheaper, and accessible to change out thermostats if I want to adjust to a different temperature
• I get rid of that dreadful Tee at the top that has a crappy plastic plug that broke (which I replaced with a brass NPT plug)
• Soooo much easier to bleed the air out of the system
• Less of a chance of overheating issues

Cons?

• Engine running cooler. So far from those that have implemented this mod, have not experienced any issues at all.
• Less MPG. From those that have implemented, no loss at all.

I could be missing something though...

 

I did the mod when replacing my radiator and it has been a dream. I live in Alabama so winter is relatively mild, and I haven't had any issues getting to closed loop. My truck cruises at around 182F and sitting still in traffic with the ac on in 90F weather I hit 188. No problems here.

 

It's just a really good piece of mind to me especially since I'm rebuilding the upper engine.