I got it off ebay several years ago. 1.25 pyrex tube 6.0inch if memory serves me right. It has enlarged ends just like the factory T for example so slide the hose over it, and just clamp it down. Zero leaks and yep it is extremely helpful in looking for debris, coolant flow, or air bubbles. I think I paid like 35.00 for it, but like I said it's been at least 2 years now.

 

With the HP gasket I just used one. Once tightened up it sealed around the thermostat 100% zero leaks and I'm very pleased with it!

 

Ok, take my money. As for temps. I know cooler is the game but I feel these trucks are supposed to run at least sort of warm to be efficient. So between the 180-190 t stat is 180 the closest to getting factory (normal) temps? I live in the midwest and we can have -10 to 110 and humid. At present with the factory set up my truck runs 195-204.8 consistently with a few instances of 208ish. Never over 210 since the new radiator.

 

The purpose of the thermostat is to limit coolant flow until the engine is warmed up and reduce coolant flow to keep it warm if necessary. One of my former trucks buyer was in Chicago area, no problem with inline thermostat. The inline stat system keeps it about +/- 3 around the setpoint, so a 190 would give you 187-193 on a regular basis. My 00 gets 17mpg driving 70 mph with the inline stat, so my experience is lower temps are equal to or better than stock temps. Most of the reason the temperatures were raised beginning in the late 90's was to reduce the nitrous oxide emissions which are an issue in valleys in California but no so much in areas with more forest or prevailing winds.

 

I just did this mod over the weekend! I’m already extremely pleased with the results. First, the install was essentially plug n play. Second, before this mod, my Ultragauge would register anywhere from 205-215 while idling and sometimes even while driving hardly ever getting below 195. After the install, I drove around for about an hour to make sure all the air got worked out of the system and pick up groceries. The Ultragauge didn’t read above 190 once. It would hit about 185 and immediately start dropping back to about 175. I highly recommend it!

Thank you Extinct for putting in the work on this as well as sharing it with everyone else here! I greatly appreciate it.

 

Any other pointers to bleed the system of air? I tried all the recommendations but still have the gurgling sound behind the dash. I did this mod a few weeks ago and could never get all the air out. I was concerned that I might have installed the thermostat backwards but confirmed all is good and bleed hole is at the top. I even got an Airlift system to try but still air in the system. I left vacuum for 5 mins and the needle didn’t budge so I am confident I don’t have any leaks. I also purged the fill hose of air before filling the system. Also might interest some folks, the Gates 22073 hose fits perfectly on place of the lower radiator hose which eliminate the need for the metal splice. Another forum member mentioned this a while ago.



Gates 22073 hose



Airlift

 

The one other trick is to disconnect the heater hose from the the return pipe (not the pipe going to the intake) with the engine cold. Stick a funnel in the hose and fill it till coolant comes out of the pipe.

 

I drove my Kalahari all over the place over the weekend. 80MPH was 200-204F, slow down below 65MPH and 188-190F, stop and sit at idle and once the system starts to cool down without a load I've seen 188-195F tops and idling for 15min with HVAC on

 

Sorry for not understanding. Are you talking about the hard plastic pipe from the top of the radiator to the expansion tank?

Edit: I think you are talking about the flexible hose from the heater core to narrow metal pipe down the passenger side of the engine.

 

Yep, you got it on the edit.