I own a 2005 Ranger Edge 4x4 with the 4.0 V-6. I would like to install a block heater but have come up with a conundrum. The only style heater that I can find at any of the parts stores (or on line) is either the frost plug style or a tank heater that installs in a heater hose. There is nowhere near enough room for the tank heater on my little truck. The rubber sections of the heater hoses are quite short and run along the top of the air conditioner components and into the heater core. The frost plug that the manufacturer recommends using (right front) is not even visible. That particular frost plug is hiding very well behind the air conditioner and its bracket. I had a lower radiator hose style heater in an old pick up one time that worked very well. As I remember, the directions showed that there could be no “goose neck” in the hose at all. My lower radiator hose comes straight out of the radiator about 3 inches and then bends up at about a 45 degree angle and from there it’s a straight shot into the bottom of the water pump. There are no downward bends at all in the hose. There is also lots of room around the lower hose to mount a heater and route the wire. Can anyone out there please explain to me why I can’t use that style heater?

 

I'd suggest finding a current production heater intended to be installed in a lower radiator hose, then look at the instructions. It's not really unusual to find them online anymore so answering that question before buying.

 

Good idea CBB9M, I will do that. I know the people at Advance Auto well enough that they will probably allow me to look at the instructions without buying the product. I have also found out that lower hose heaters should be mounted lower than the water jacket of the engine. I believe that mine is, but I'm going to take another look and double check just to be sure.