82 degree thermostat for the Prado... help?

[Tebo]

Ok, so as usual I will probably make it very obvious that I am tottally inexperienced when it comes to my landcruiser, but then hey-thats why I am here asking you guys!
I am curious as to why I couldnt leave the 180 thermostat in all year round?
Or can I? what would it cause?
It just seems like a bit of extra insurance that the little guy runs cool...
Any help would be great!

Tebo

 

[crushers]

that is all you can get from the factory for the LJ7*

 

[pradocruzer]

Hey Tebo. The factory t stat is a 88 deg . You got a 82 deg from Rocky mountian Imports . It is a factory toyota t stat from another model that is the exact same but the temp ratings. You can run it all year round if you are in a warm area like southern british columbia (Vancouver). If you live up north or in cold areas you will still be cold when you get to work. This can cause over fueling and carbon build up because the engine still thinks it's in the warm up cycle ect. Most engines like to run hot for efficiency. For those reasons and more It is not good to run a low temp t stat in cold conditions.

 

[tlcruiserman]

I run 82 Degree thermostats in my 3B engines all year round and they are fine and like the cooler temps. I am in southern California (San Diego) so it works out for me. The temp never gets that cold down here.

Cheers,

Michael

 

[Tebo]

Thanks fellas, I will just switch it back and forth.. too cold up here in calgary durning the winter! Pretty sure san diegos winters are as warm as our summers!

 

[pradocruzer]

It also gives you a great reason to change your coolant twice a year!!!
I use Nappa's Ultra Pro burp bottle, and have been for years . This system works an 95% of all makes. It's just a resevoir that sit at the highest point of your cooling system in place of your rad cap. Start it up and top it up then let run for 10 to 15 mins after that rev up and down for a few more mins, with the heater on low in the cab and then once the bubbles stop plug the burp bottle and put the rad cap on.
The next day you might have to top up the resrevoir.It's a great system.
The part # is 79392 and is around 30 dollars.

Good luck

 

[Tebo]

hey pradocruzer, what kind of coolant do you recommend? This seems to be a fairly passionate subject on this forum?!

T

 

[crushers]

run either thermostate for Calgary winters, makes no real difference.
install alower rad hose heater and you are golden...

 

[pradocruzer]

Hey Tebo. I use toyota coolant. It dosn't really matter what coolant you use. The key is for all coolant is changing it once a year. I stay away from GM Dex Cool because of the destruction I have seen. I have done at least 100 hundred GM intake manifold Gaskets because of the gasket breaking down. If you look under your buddies hood on his GM it will say 200,000 plus thous KM's or every five years. What a load of #hit. All cooland goes bad after time. Your main ground for your battery is on your engine block making your coolant a small battery. If you take a volt meter and measure you coolant valtage you will be surprised. In boating terms your engine is a giant zinc eating every thing up. Most coolant is okey as long as you look after it.

Good luck.

 

[Tebo]

Thanks guys!
I think I will just go ahead and change back and forth- seems like a good reminder to change out the coolant. That Nappa part is sweet. One of my big concerns has been 'burping' the system, so this is perfect!