“If” I ever do this the thermostat is going in the same spot as the OEM thermostat. Then I’ll just use a 90 vs a T up top and avoid chopping up the upper fan shroud!

Alex M’s write up has all you need — I did the same mod and couldn’t be happier

I would look into the Chevy housings, but I actually just got the inline 1.25 unit that I’ve seen used on LR’s. Customer bought an 03 D2 that had one to many people working on it under the hood, and they requested I take the rigged aftermarket stuff off. It was running hot, so I’ve ordered a new radiator, water pump, hoses, 180F OEM style thermostat (picked up another one locally), and a new coolant reservoir. Thing had more hose clamps & patches of hose than I’d ever trust. Funny thing was when I removed the inline thermostat I found a 195F thermostat in it!!!!! Kinda defeats the entire purpose of the inline mod IMHO.

I’ll possibly mess with it on one of my personal LR’s but we’ll see. Mine run perfectly fine with true 180F OEM style thermostats. Loosing coolant isn’t a concern when messing with the thermostat as I normally perform a flush anytime I am messing with the cooling system.

Besides the **** poor mechanic work on that 03 it’s held in there as best as it could. Engine runs good, but so many things were border line insane. The zip tie art work holding the airbox together was interesting to say the least, along with the crazy ground strap being used because the previous owner didn’t install the proper pole battery...

All the parts should be here tomorrow & I’ll get that 03 on the road to recovery.

I think the lower hose is a 14” AC delco generic flexi hose iirc. Just goes from the lower rad to the y fitting off of the water pump