I have read in a lot of forums that getting a 180 degree Thermostat will do wonders for a Dakota. Is this true and if so how does it help the motor exactly?

 

It depends where you live....Arizona yes, Illinois where I live...no

 

I am in Jersey where it tends to get hot and Humid in the summer.

 

Hey Deadly,

I currently live in NC where it also gets hot and very freakin humid. I have had a 160 stat in my r/t since ive had it and had no problem even in traffic. Some people might say thats to cold but i have had no remorse about doing it. The stat is actually for an older model 360 buts looks the same as the ones for the magnum engine. Later


Brad

 

this is a fairly common mod to the magnum engine. cheap too. a good writeup on it: http://www.dakota-truck.net/UPGRADES/TSTAT/index.html

 

hmm. . . I think i should do that to my truck. Would that be wise here in florida?

 

I live in Michigan and tried this awhile ago. It would probably be ok in the warmer months, but it was terrible in the winter. My heater and defroster would not blow air that was very warm, so after freezing for about a week on the way to work I switched it back out. I've also read that blocking a portion of the front of the radiator will produce more hot air from the heater when a 180 is installed, but decided to just change back to the stock thermostat.