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Dakota Performance
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andrew
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3/21/2001
23:50:10

Subject: 180 thermostat
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What would switching to a 180 degree thermostat do for my 93 4x4 Dakota w/318 on the performance side?



Trent
GenI
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3/21/2001
23:58:06

RE: 180 thermostat
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Make it run less efficiently, reduce ping and keep the temp of the coolent close to 180°F

T

Bernd
GenIII
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3/21/2001
23:58:09

RE: 180 thermostat
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The Magnum Engines run best at 185 degrees. That along with the other mods from the other thread will wake up your truck.

Bernd D. Ratsch
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT
Supercharged w/Nitrous

Jonas Janek
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3/22/2001
00:44:03

RE: 180 thermostat
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Can it have any negative effects on your truck???

Jonas



Mark
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3/22/2001
00:46:24

RE: 180 thermostat
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When I did mine I stripped out the threads and almost had to get a new intake manifold. Luckilly I learned really fast how to use a tap. Be careful, the intake manifold is aluminum and my guess is that it's expensive too.

-Mark

Bernd
GenIII
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3/22/2001
01:03:36

RE: 180 thermostat
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No...no negative effects.

Bernd D. Ratsch
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT
Supercharged w/Nitrous

andrew
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3/22/2001
01:10:34

RE: 180 thermostat
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Hey trent, what do you mean make it run less efficienly?

Mark, how did you strip the threads on the manifold? the thermostat just drops in, right?



Mark
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3/22/2001
01:39:53

RE: 180 thermostat
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The therm housing has two screws to keep it in with the gasket.

-Mark

Mark
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3/22/2001
01:43:29

RE: 180 thermostat
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I'm not sure if this is what trent meant but theoretically the lower the temp of an engine, the less efficient it is. Something i picked up in skewl.

-Mark

95DakotaV8
*GenII*
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3/22/2001
05:28:17

RE: 180 thermostat
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My mileage has not decreased with the 180 (For Andrew, a Stant HD thermostat is about 5 bucks). The engine runs great but I needed it anyway since I was getting the PCM. Did it in about 2 hours (lunch in the middle) without removing the alternator, etc.

Kevin Rants
95 CC SLT 4x4, 5.2L, 5spd, Mopar PCM
Family Man!

Wayne
GenIII
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3/22/2001
08:07:18

RE: 180 thermostat
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For the 318: Putting it in was a breeze. Use an extension on a ratchet to reach the 2 bolts after draining some of the coolant out. Carefully work the neck up by pulling on the hose. I didn't have to take the hose loose. Work it from side to side to clear small obstacles. I used long needle nose pliers to pull the old thermostat out. Be sure the gasket doesn't stick and leave any pieces on the sealing surfaces. Mine came out in one piece. I used a little felpro grease on the sealing surfaces to help the seal and keep the gasket from sticking if/when I have to take it apart again. Drop in the 180 and work the neck back in place. I put the 2 bolts back in place with long needle nose pliers and tighten carefully. They don't have to be real tight. Fill radiator, run engine up to temp, and look for leaks. I check the overflow tank after the engine cools and usually have to add a little.
In theory, a warmer engine is more efficient but the difference is so small that you won't see it is MPG. A cooler intake tract will allow a denser charge and gives us more HP (not much but some of us want every pony we can get). :-)

Wayne Van Metre
'99 CC SLT 5.2/auto/3.91 anti spin

FatBoy
Gen III
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3/22/2001
11:06:54

RE: 180 thermostat
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I put in a Hypertech pcm in my 97 5.2 CC when I bought it they said to put in (and sold me) a 160 degree tstat, should I use that or get a 180 ? Pat



RonW
Gen III
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3/22/2001
12:21:57

RE: 180 thermostat
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I would opt for the 180. You do start to lose some efficiencies when you go that low. Don't forget, just because it says 160 doesn't mean it works at 160 all the time and sometimes they're not as accurate as we'd like them to be. The same goes for your engine and PCM. At some temperature (130 for most) your PCM puts your truck into open-loop mode. Basically then you're running like you do in the morning, with a cold engine. If you run that way too long your PCM will throw a malfunction code and your MIL will light up. That's just a warning. People have run 160's with no problem. I live close to the desert and I don't need to go there. Like Bernd says, 183-185 is optimal. I would use a Robertshaw 755-180 since they're a little heavier and a little more accurate. You should be able to find one at your local auto parts store.

Ron
00 PB SLT QC 4X2 5.9 46RE 3.92 LSD

Wayne
GenIII
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3/22/2001
12:38:24

RE: 180 thermostat
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I agree with Ron. I ran a 160 for a few months. I didn't check MPG or HP but It took 15 miles to get enough heat in the cab to notice on a winter day. During the summer it ran at the same temp as it did with the 180. I believe the the radiator had reached it's maximum amount of heat transfer and couldn,t coolit down to 160 with the a/c on during a hot Louisiana day. It would get cooler at night.

Wayne Van Metre
'99 CC SLT 5.2/auto/3.91 anti spin

FatBoy
Gen III
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3/22/2001
13:22:10

RE: 180 thermostat
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Thanks guys I,ll get the 180
Pat



Jeff
Dodge Dakota
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11/09/2001
20:24:13

RE: 180 thermostat
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I installed a Stant HD 180 thermostat in my 00' QC SLT 4x4 5.9/Auto/3.92, disconnected the neagative battery cable, installed a Jet Stage II PCM and the engine service light stays on. I disconnected the negative battery cable again and removed the jet chip, but the engine service light still stays on. Once the Jet chip was removed and the computer supposedly reset by cycling power, how can just a different thermostat cause the engine service light to come on? Has anyone seen this before? How do you fix this problem?




ram41569
Dodge Dakota
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11/09/2001
21:52:05

RE: 180 thermostat
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Jeff,I have a 2001 Quad 5.9 w/3.92 gears and I put in a RobertShaw 755-180 and never got an engine light.It's been in my truck for 3 months and no light,it must have something to do with that Jet chip.To reset your computer disconnect the negative battery cable and then put the key in the on postiton for about 30 seconds and it will reset.



MikeD
Dodge Dakota


11/10/2001
05:38:54

RE: 180 thermostat
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Yeah I bought a Stant from NAPA and then heard about the Robert Shaw so I decided to get that one instead but I held them both up to compare and the Stant HD Thermo looks much more solid and reliable...the Robert Shaw looked like an el cheapo thermostat...I know everyone raves about the Robert Shaw just cuz Speedtweaks endorses it and everyone thinks that Speedtweaks is like the bible of the dakota world but common sense would think that U would go w/ the sturdier stat...but thats just me.

-Mike-



bernd
*GenIII*
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11/10/2001
10:14:43

RE: 180 thermostat
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MikeD: The Robertshaw is one the the highest quality T'Stats around. The "ElCheapo" T'stats are the generic ones that you find at Napa, PepBoys, AutoZone, Krages, etc., for around $2.00.

I've been running Robertshaw T'Stats in all of my vehicles since 1986...never had one go bad. Had three Stant's go south though.


1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged @ 10# w/Nitrous

Cool Daddy
Dodge Dakota


11/10/2001
15:11:07

RE: 180 thermostat
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BernD, what's your truck run in the 1/4?

Thanks.......Cool Daddy


00' 4.7 CC 2wd, automatic
15.74 sec @ 86.9 mph



MikeD
Dodge Dakota


11/10/2001
15:48:58

RE: 180 thermostat
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Well I guess I'll put the RobertShaw in then even though it looks like I'm gonna break it when I hold it in my hand haha.



andrew
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2001
16:06:55

RE: 180 thermostat
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I think I may get a robert shaw for my 318.



MikeD
Dodge Dakota


11/10/2001
18:57:58

RE: 180 thermostat
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Well I just tried to put it on my R/T...that thing is a b!tch to get to I woulda had to take the alternator loose and undo the bar thats bolted to the air conditioner coils to the engine, it was just too much trouble for a few degrees cooler of an engine. I mean I'm not a mechanic or anything so that was kinda intimidating having to unbolt all that sh!t, oh well.



2tonedakota
GenIII
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11/10/2001
20:51:35

RE: 180 thermostat
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I just put in a Robert Shaw from Speedtweeks.
I had to use a dremal tool to cut a small slot
so the rubber gasket on the 4.7L would fit
correctly. Finally got it in. Should I resent the
computer?

2tonedakota
4.7L, 360° K&N Cold Air Intake, A.R.E.

Fillupd
Dodge Dakota


11/10/2001
21:05:41

RE: 180 thermostat
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Does the thermo not fit without modifications? I would like to replace mine but I don't want to do a lot of mods, I'll be lucky to perform a bolt on modification. I wouldn't resent your computer, It didn't do anything to you did it? I'm sorry I couldn't resist, I am the last one whom should make fun of typos. I'm just feeling good after the the Huskers whipped up on the Wildcats this afternoon !!! I would be interested in your experience with the 180 in a 4.7. Thanks, Phil

2001 4.7 4x4 QC



2tonedakota
GenIII
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11/11/2001
19:50:47

RE: 180 thermostat
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The 4.7L has a rubber gasket not a "flat"
paper or cork style gasket. There is a dimple
in the slot on the gasket. The thermostat
needs to have the notch in it. Just look at your
original thermo and use a file or dremal to
match. Very easy. Easier then spelling for me.
hee hee

2tonedakota
4.7L, 360° K&N Cold Air Intake, A.R.E.

Eric
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2003
21:20:09

RE: 180 thermostat
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Anyone know where I can find a 180 for my 2001 4.7? I can't find anyone who carries it.



Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2003
22:12:50

RE: 180 thermostat
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Eric, Just go to Autozone or Checkers and buy a Robert Shaw GT755-180. No one is going to show a listing for the 4.7L engine. You just have to make the small mod to the thermostat to match the notch in the gasket. Just compare it to the OEM thermostat and make the same notch.



Ray
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2003
17:36:56

RE: 180 thermostat
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I have a 2000 4.7. question what do I have to remove to get the thermostat? Is there anything special that I need to be aware of ... Do I have to remove the alternator and belt? Thanks



TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2003
21:30:59

RE: 180 thermostat
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Ray, NO way,
do a search on this site and you'll find everythinf you need to know in past posts about the t-stat, and the 4.7.



Cameron
Dodge Dakota
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4/18/2003
01:36:28

RE: 180 thermostat
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I think my 91 Daks thermostat is out. I checked the tempature with a digital thermomerter on the water pump and it was around 140 degrees after running for 20 minuets. I think that maybe I should replace it. This could be the main reason I only get about 8 miles per gallon



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