Coolant temp gauge issue

[chromehound]

Ok so I just picked up a 96 and the temp gauge dosen't come up even to a 1/4 way if it moves at all. I still get heat so I don't think the thermostat is stuck open but I'm replacing it anyway. I'm pretty sure there is a wire that runs to the gauge that I'll look into but is there anything else I should know about.

[Fordman247365]

Nope sounds about right, mine barely rises, just before the N on normal is where mine runs, it is due to the cooler temp themostat that ford put in our trucks

[dhanna6powerstroke]

go to www.dieselsite.com and get the 203* thermostat. That will fix the problem.

[chromehound]

I can't belive they put that cool of a t-stat in them. Just thought it was low because my 00 and 01 ran higher but they must have changed the t-stat style. Gonna change it anyway PO wasn't big into doing much to the truck.

[Fordman247365]

They put in a cooler t-stat cuz there wasnt an intercooler in the truck, the SD has an intercooler, thats why they let it run a higher temp.
IMO the 203* t-stat isnt an upgrade. I have had so many trucks in my life that run hot it is nice to finally have one that doesnt get hot when I work it

[350ninty7]

Originally Posted by Fordman247365

They put in a cooler t-stat cuz there wasnt an intercooler in the truck, the SD has an intercooler, thats why they let it run a higher temp.
IMO the 203* t-stat isnt an upgrade. I have had so many trucks in my life that run hot it is nice to finally have one that doesnt get hot when I work it

So, I just purchased a 203 degree thermostat from Dieselsite and in your opinion is stay with the OEM 197 degree Thermo? When I changed out my Water Pump a few years ago I went with OEM Thermo. From what I have read on this site the 203 is the better option, just asking a question.

[JD3020]

In all the readding i've done i haven't really found any reason to switch other than "hotter" heat in the winter and the fact that IH used 203* t-stats in their trucks. If i have to replace mine i'll just get whatever is cheapest unless somebody does some testing and finds out if there is any advantage to either one. And honestly i don't see how 6* is going to even make a noticeable difference.

And to the OP, that sounds normal. I was running close to WOT the other day on the highway for a while and i don't think mine ever got past the O, usually its on the N.

[Fordman247365]

Originally Posted by 350ninty7

So, I just purchased a 203 degree thermostat from Dieselsite and in your opinion is stay with the OEM 197 degree Thermo? When I changed out my Water Pump a few years ago I went with OEM Thermo. From what I have read on this site the 203 is the better option, just asking a question.

Yes in my opinion, I have heat in the winter and it stays nice and cool in the summer when I am towing, mine will stay just like it is

[chromehound]

Almost done with that issue, just held up for lack of a $1.99 gasket.