Ok, this may kind of be a noob question, but what is a 180 degree thermostat and what does it do? Is it worth getting one?
Thanks,
Dave

 

a 180 deggre thermostat is just the temp it opens to allow cool collant into the engine. The truck comes with a thermostat that opens at like 195 or something close to them lines. Any how installing a thermostat that opens a littel cooler will keep the engine cooler and will give you slight performace increase let the engine run more effincelty and perhaps lengthen the engines lively hood and since they only cost like 10 bucks why not (of cource you will have to empty your coolant out and replace 1s the thermostat is in place but hell thats nothing) hope that helps. Also depsending on what engine you got the 3.9l,5.2l,5.9 the thermostat is on the top of the enige between the alternator and a/c pump you see it jsut follow the upper coolant house into the engine. the 4.8l is on the side somewhere i dont remeber where saldy .

 

Cooler thermostat means cooler engine, which means you can advance the timing a little bit more and pick up a bit more power without detonation. Stock is 195 because running hotter burns the gasses more completely for better emissions. Running a 160 thermostat isn't recommended because it's a bit too cold, and your ECU will probably never take the engine out of warm-up mode, meaning you're going to run rich.

 

Thanks for the info. Can I buy this at an autoparts store or would I have to get in online? I have a 5.9, any suggestions on what one to get. As far as timing goes, I don't know how to do that....would it matter if I left the timing how it is?
Thanks
Dave

 

u can pick one up at any autoparts store and dont bother with the timming

 

Alright now I can do some work on vehicles but I do not know how to take off the old therm and put the new one on. Would it have instructions or does anyone have a writeup. Sorry if I sound like a moron.
Thanks
Dave

 

I no what you need you need the haynes manuel for your truck you can get it at any auto store pretty much tells you how to do basicly any work and has step by step pictures and instrutions also has tourqe ratings and all that if you can thinck it has it lol. But ya for 20 bucks its all yours.

 

You ever seen a Haynes or Chilton's for a 2002 Dakota? I haven't, and I've looked in parts stores in 5 states.

 

Yes because i own 1!!!!! haha its for DODGE DURANGO AND DAKOTA PICK-UPS 2000 thru 2003 And its a Haynes which i found in a Autozone. Also you could try places like books a million and other book stores.

 

heres a link to the haynes site with the listings of all the diffrent 1s and youl see her http://www.haynes.com/na101.html#anchor559935 the part number is 30022. If that helps any