DP96XLT
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- November 29, 2019
- Messages
- 123
- Reaction score
- 49
- City, State
- New Berlin, WI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1996 Explorer XLT 4WD
Hey guys, so I am going to be redoing the cooling system and was wondering (after doing a bunch of searching and not really finding anything definitive) about the various thermostat options for a 1996 Explorer XLT v6 4.0l OHV.
Looks like the main contenders are:
1) Stant SuperStat (basically the big deal here is the ability to partially open and better control temps)
2) Motorad UltraStat (better materials, all stainless, heavier duty, better partial bleed to reduce thermal shock, marketing eludes to better control temps like the SuperStat)
3) Motorcraft OEM thermostat (marketing on this is all over the place, states a 190f/88c opening point, but with some sort of statement that it may partial open up to 197f in some applications)
4) Motorad Fail-Safe (basically fails open in an overheating situation, which could be a problem in winter as an engine not getting up to temp can wash out rings)
I would be looking at OEM temp (198f) since it is driven in winter and I want the best fuel economy in summer (warmer engines being more fuel efficient outside of power output considerations).
Honestly, I picked up a UltraStat and was planning on putting it in, but if there is a better option, I am all ears... As it is I am certain I have a stock thermostat in there and with only 44k miles on the engine I am less than pleased with it's ability to control temps (engine seems to run cooler than expected and gas mileage is abysmal), but I did just find out a couple of days ago that the replacement fan clutch I put in back in November was bad (basically had tons of black material all over the fan/clutch when I pulled it off this last week) and temps do seem a bit higher during cruise with the new fan clutch installed, but on the expressway it still seems as if it is overcooling a bit.
Looks like the main contenders are:
1) Stant SuperStat (basically the big deal here is the ability to partially open and better control temps)
2) Motorad UltraStat (better materials, all stainless, heavier duty, better partial bleed to reduce thermal shock, marketing eludes to better control temps like the SuperStat)
3) Motorcraft OEM thermostat (marketing on this is all over the place, states a 190f/88c opening point, but with some sort of statement that it may partial open up to 197f in some applications)
4) Motorad Fail-Safe (basically fails open in an overheating situation, which could be a problem in winter as an engine not getting up to temp can wash out rings)
I would be looking at OEM temp (198f) since it is driven in winter and I want the best fuel economy in summer (warmer engines being more fuel efficient outside of power output considerations).
Honestly, I picked up a UltraStat and was planning on putting it in, but if there is a better option, I am all ears... As it is I am certain I have a stock thermostat in there and with only 44k miles on the engine I am less than pleased with it's ability to control temps (engine seems to run cooler than expected and gas mileage is abysmal), but I did just find out a couple of days ago that the replacement fan clutch I put in back in November was bad (basically had tons of black material all over the fan/clutch when I pulled it off this last week) and temps do seem a bit higher during cruise with the new fan clutch installed, but on the expressway it still seems as if it is overcooling a bit.
