2004 Durango Limited, 5.7L, 4x4. 222k miles. Looking to try some “fun” stuff. But not lifts, big tires, or anything exciting by conventional definition. I want to want to make a select series of upgrades to essentially build an “idling in traffic midday”-proof cooling system.
The vehicle is in EXCEPTIONAL shape for a 100k find, let alone its actual mileage. I’m looking to keep it going as long as I can but was thinking about how this heat and the idea of getting stuck in traffic makes me nervous.
The factory t-stat is 203 F, which is the highest I’ve seen stock for any vehicle I’ve owned (and I’ve owned different makes / models including a 2012 and a 2020). Never seen this high OEM. Needle tends to creep up to 3/4 if traffic slows down even for 5 minutes. Never gotten higher than this but too close for comfort.
So my idea, to start:
My concerns:
- Would 160 be too low and cause emissions issues? I can tolerate lower fuel efficiency but I MUST pass a CEL/MIL check annually (no exhaust probe)
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The vehicle is in EXCEPTIONAL shape for a 100k find, let alone its actual mileage. I’m looking to keep it going as long as I can but was thinking about how this heat and the idea of getting stuck in traffic makes me nervous.
The factory t-stat is 203 F, which is the highest I’ve seen stock for any vehicle I’ve owned (and I’ve owned different makes / models including a 2012 and a 2020). Never seen this high OEM. Needle tends to creep up to 3/4 if traffic slows down even for 5 minutes. Never gotten higher than this but too close for comfort.
So my idea, to start:
- 160 F degree t-stat
- 3 row aluminum radiator
My concerns:
- Would 160 be too low and cause emissions issues? I can tolerate lower fuel efficiency but I MUST pass a CEL/MIL check annually (no exhaust probe)
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