had autozone run a computer check to see if there were any codes (no ses light) said i need a thermostat. couple days ago the ses light comes on. today i bought a thermostat. the stock is rated at 195deg.they didnt have it in so i bought a 180deg. my question is with that being a cooler temp will the ses light go off? or will it constantly read as an error. and if it thinks the truck is running cooler will it idle higher and more gas be pumped into the engine? im not ready to start modding it yet so i dont have a programmer or anythign like that just wanted to get the ses light to go off. was gonna put it in today but i wanted to get these questions answered first. so if you read this please reply and let me know what you think....thanks in advance

 

A 180 Deg will not cause you any problems, or throw a code, in addition you don’t need to retune, however: I think you can mess with your timing?? It will also go in to the open engine loop mode (out of the cold closed loop mode), the 160 will not and it requires a retune for most.

In fact it will (should) run better, expectably in the summer time. It will delay detonation somewhat because lower water temp. (I would also suggest adding water wetter)!!

I have been running it (180 tem) for about 5 years, no codes, no problem, However I am in the Houston weather sometimes 95+ everyday for moths, so the 180 helps in that case.

 

i'm stationed at eglin afb in florida so its pretty much hot all the time here.

 

Yea, I was station at Moody AFB (347 TAC) for about 4 years, nice place. However; it was not Texas, and I felt a long way from home, (Mexico).

The 180 thermostat is a good mod, for your location.

Good luck….. Stay Safe. Art!

 

thanks i think i'll be puttin it in tomorrow.

 

I've had a 160 in my 2000 for about 3 months now. It hasn't thrown any codes. In case you plan on eventually getting an electric fan, the colder thermostat will really help the fan work the way its supposed to. With the stock thermostat the truck never got cool enough for the fan to shut off after it kicked on.

 

160 deg here on my 2000 I love the cooler temps, on my datalog it never goes above 170 deg (usually hovers 166). No retune for me.

 

i had a 160 and gas mileage when downhill bad, didnt go into closed loop much, ran too cool

 

awsome good stuff guys thanks for the info

 

I use a 170 it is the best all around stat IMO, no retune needed and the truck runs around 176-185 in the heat of the summer.

 

Some people have received a code after installing a 160F thermostat. I ran one for over two years and never got a code.

The Factory thermostat on a regular F150 is 195F

The Factory thermostat on the Lightning is 180F or 185F (can't remember exactly) but it's lower than the regular F150. Like most of the unique parts for our Lightnings, Autozone and other part stores don't have the right information.

 

Yep, Lightnings came from the factory with a 180* stat.

 

so being in florida i could go 170-175 and be ok right? would that be better for the engine? to me it seems like it would.

 

I just checked my mods and I do have a 170 Thermostat, not a 180…
So 170 is the correct one, I stand corrected!!!

 

180* is stock, a 160* or 170* Tstat only opens earlier,, your engine will still run from 185* to 195* depending on ambient temp.'s