Best Thermostat Choice?
 

I currently have the coolant drained to replace the oil cooler, and figure I should replace the thermostat as I can see the gauge changing temp while I drive based on speed and grade (unloaded truck). What is the best choice for temp rating on a replacement thermostat? I have heard I believe a 204 or 205 degree was best. Any input - and should the thermostat be moving like that? I can understand the temp moving when loaded, but an empty truck? Seems to me the thermostat replacement is due.

Try this one:
http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=188
It's at the bottom of the page.
Good addition for a little extra HP. Diesels like to run a bit hot.

I'll bet your radiator is on it way out if the temps are rising at e-way speeds. My temps stay about the same empty or loaded once it gets up to temp. I don't have the 203 therm....yet.

The water pump design changed in late 95 (depending on plant build location some 96's have the old style). If you have the old style water pump the long stem thermostat will not fit, and you will have to go with the short stem. I can only find the short stem in 195 degrees. So I just get them from NAPA.

My truck was built in Oct of 1994. My water pump was changed in 2000. It is still the same design as original. So that would be the short stem, correct? So the radiator is heading south? The temps change while driving due to being plugged up? I thought I have been good at the coolant changes and keeping up with the additives.

The last napa short stem for my old 95 was a 203 stat. I don't ahve the part number handy but I kow for sure that 2 years ago when i got it was a 203.

My 94 take the short stem stat and all i could find for it was a 205* stat.

maybe thats what mine was too. I don't know! I do know it was either a 203 or 205.

here ya go. here's a link to napa online for a 95 PSD thermostat
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...d=5&SubCatId=1

Try washing out the rad, remove the grill and wash straight in so not to bend the fins, if you have an A/C condensor thats the one that will mostly be plugged. Found them to get plugged with bugs and dirt. Had a mustang that did this untill the rad got washed out and solved the issue. Its cheap to do and worth a try.

Thanks. I will give it a wash before I do anything else. Definitely the least trouble and cost!