Im also in an almost indentical situation. Installed new hoses and oem 195 thermostat, bled a couple of times, used to run 187-194 average, now running like 204-206, even got up to 212. Bottom hose on t Stat never gets warm. Going to bypass the effing thing altogether. I have an extra 3 way intersection thing from the top so I'll just rig it in somehow. I really care very little about emissions or fuel economy and as far as I'm concerned the cooler the better to an extent (160 would be ideal)

 

Yes, bypassing the thermostat will cause it to overheat

 

I have heard of people who have modified the thermostat or routed around it to keep the system in a closed loop through the radiator. It's my understanding that would cause the engine to run significantly cooler provided the fan/radiator are working properly. I'd be hesitant to say without experience whether that is bad on a short-term basis.

 

I thought it would have the opposite affect of always running the radiator would cause it to run possibly too cool?

 

It will take a long time to reach operating temperature and then will overheat if ambient temperatures allow. Counterintuitive it would seem, but do a quick Google search and look at the after effects lol.

 

Well I just got off of work and checked the fluid and it was fine.

Drove 25 minutes home most highway and the truck ran at an average of 115-117 and got as high as 221 with an ambient temp of 71

I checked all the hoses above the t-stat and and they were all hot and firm. I could see the orange antifreeze in the t-stat as well.

I am at a complete loss and if the new stat doesn't work I will have to bring it to my land rover guy.

 

Go to the the auto parts store and buy a combustion gas leak detector. It's like $20. Will tell you definitely if you have a headgasket leak. If you don't, then you can look for other problems, if you do, you know you don't need to look any further and can prepare for a head gasket job.

How firm are the hoses? Could you almost squeeze the upper hose closed if you wanted or is it hard as a rock?

 

And I would stop driving it. You are running on the ragged edge of doing more damage.

 

So I went back out after my last post and checked the bottom hose. It was not nearly as hot as the top hoses, which were hard and very hot.

Thermostar?

 

hard hoses is an indication of system over-pressurization, i.e. headgasket leak. bottom hose should be cooler than top.