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Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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9/25/2003
15:33:54

Subject: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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I was shopping for a 180 degree thermostat for my 4.7 so I called Autozone with the Stant and Robert Shaw numbers but he couldn't cross them. I was about to hang up and call Checker but, he was curious as to the application. I told him and he said they carry an AutoZone brand thermostat made by Robert Shaw. Of course it's a 195 degree one. I told him I wanted a 180 degree thermostat instead. He warned me about the PCM detecting a low engine temperature condition and either setting the MIL or keeping the fuel injection in closed-loop mode which can negatively effect fuel economy and emissions. I live in a county with strict emissions inspections and I certainly don't want worse gas mileage than my current 14.8 with mostly highway driving. Does anyone know if the 180 degree thermostat will cause a problem with either of these areas. Those of you that have done this modification, can you respond with your experience as far as negative and positive effects? Thanks in advance.



b1llyw
GenII
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9/25/2003
16:20:54

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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I ran a 180 in my '02 4.7 for over 20,000 miles. The following part numbers will work:

Robert Shaw GT755-180
Stant 65358
Carquest 60208
Jet 10170

Bill White
'95 CC 4x2, SLT - under construction
'03 Ram 1500 QC 4x4 Hemi Off-Road

Steve93GC318
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2003
13:32:10

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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I have a 180 in my 318 and it just passed smog a couple of months back here in CA. I mentioned it to the smog tech and he said it wouldn't be a problem. Just make sure it's warmed up prior to test.



Cal
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2003
19:41:45

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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I have a 96 5.2 dak and i put a 180 in mine. I have not noticed any difference except the needle on the guage.



midnightmagic
GenIII
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9/27/2003
22:38:03

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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b1llyw, does the 180 stat look like the one that comes in the 4.7? if not did you modify it in any way????

It's Gumbo night every night with all the rice i cook!

GraphiteDak
GenIII
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9/29/2003
00:38:34

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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I had to search my ass off and bug people on here just to know if the t-stats for the 318/360 would be able to fit.
I could have figured it out on my own the hard way, but I didn't want to chance taking it apart to put the OEM one back in.

So I finally got some info that the 318/360 t-stat does work.
You need to notch the t-stat for the groove in the rubber gasket but it fits. I did notice that the OEM had an extension that goes deeper into the housing than the replacment so I am not so sure how acurate the new one is.

I took pics of my work and posted them HERE.

After I swapped in the 180 I said phukk it and swapped in a 160 degree t-stat part number 65356 I think. So far the only difference I really notice was the needle going way down towards the line just above the C in the temp gauge. I also fear I will suffer from lack of heat in the winter. But I wanted to experiment and it's really easy to change this stat. I'm kind of thinking that this t-stat may not even open as early because it doesn't have that extension like the OEM one did to read temps deeper in the housing. So maybe the 160 I put in there will actually act more like a 170~180 range.

Here's a pic


2003 Graphite QC 4X4 4.7 Auto 3.55
Home Brewed Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster 40 series, Modified TPS to .72VDC, Modified IAT. 160° T-Stat.


midnightmagic
GenIII
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9/29/2003
11:02:40

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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MY THANKS TO YOU.. finally someone to give me the down low!!!!i saved the webpage so when i change it i have pretty pics...lol thanks bro

It's Gumbo night every night with all the rice i cook!

b1llyw
GenII
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9/29/2003
12:45:54

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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I did not have to modify the thermostat in any way to run on my 4.7. It worked fine, no leaks, etc.

Bill White
'95 CC 4x2, SLT - under construction
'03 Ram 1500 QC 4x4 Hemi Off-Road

FLDak
Dodge Dakota
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10/01/2003
11:34:44

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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GraphiteDak;
Thanks for those pics, I installed my Robert Shaw 180 degree Tstat yesterday along with my thermo-switch for the fan. Install was easy thanks to you and all the other folks who posted info on this subject. I did notch my Tstat for the gasket but didn't drill the hole for the bypass. Everthing seems to working great!



mrsbaddakota
Dodge Dakota
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10/01/2003
23:33:16

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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GraphriteDak, Thanks a bunch for taking the time to give us the scoop on a 4.7 thermostat. I just asked for help, then found your post. My husband was right it is on the bottom. Thanks Again.



TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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10/01/2003
23:34:01

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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I heard that on the newer daks, that the 160 will throw a code at times, being too cold, the 180 doesn't.



Dakdav
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2003
16:00:09

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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Graphite,
Why the bypass hole? Don't think I've heard anyone else mention it. If necessary, what size?

'01 CC, 4.7L Auto,homebrew intake



Sqint
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2003
18:15:46

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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At about 5:30 in above pic on right(stock stat) is a one way check valve. Has a little ball- bearing in there if I remember right. I drilled a 1/16th hole in mine to match but you can get away without it. Has something to do with bleeding the air out I think.



Sqint
Dodge Dakota
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10/02/2003
18:17:11

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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Sorry, stock stat on left in above pic.



midnightmagic
GenIII
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10/03/2003
18:25:02

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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how do you post pics in a reply?

It's Gumbo night every night with all the rice i cook!

GraphiteDak
GenIII
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10/04/2003
00:51:30

RE: 180 degree thermostat in 4.7
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No problem guys.
It took me over a WEEK here to get the low down about the 318/360 t-stats being able to work on our 4.7

Just to let you know I installed a 160 degree t-stat right after that 180 install.
Basically I took one for the team to see what would happen and if any noticable performance.

All I have noticed is the gauge goes resally low unless I climb a big hill.
No more power and luckily no trouble codes.
However, I will be driving in the snow this winter and my family will not appreciate the lack of a HOT air that the 160 degree stat may cause. So when I get around to it the 180 may go back in.

I'm still not certain if I want to remove my belt driven clutch fan yet because I tow.

If I do I may install a home brew dual electric fan and build my own control to switch them from low to high speeds automatically vs. radiator temp. It wouldn't be too hard and I'll post my schematics for the control if I do so.
I've removed the belt driven fan on every V8 engine I've had for the last 5+ years and have enjoyed the results (instant increase in off idle power)!

BTW, I didn't drill the bleeder hole in my 160 degree t-stat.

Keep up the experimenting and post the results. Trying things even if it's wrong is the only way to learn how things work.

2003 Graphite QC 4X4 4.7 Auto 3.55
Home Brewed Cold Air Intake, Flowmaster 40 series, Modified TPS to .72VDC, Modified IAT. 160° T-Stat.


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