The more I think about this maybe I should replace mine. The gauge never gets anywhere near the 'Normal' mark when driving it. I always have heat and both hoses to the core are hot, but the gauge seems really low. I've done thermostats before, but where is this one?? I think I know and if I'm right it looks like a big, big pain! How do you get to it? Thanks,Scott

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1994 Ranger XLT 4cyl 5spd

Any ideas? The needle will actually get up to the 'N' of normal, but that is all.
Do I have to remove a lot of stuff to get to the T-Stat? It looks like the timing cover at least. Scott

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1994 Ranger XLT 4cyl 5spd

Not sure how much you have to remove.

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2010 Silver Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L 2WD StyleSide Reg Cab Auto, Open 7.5" - 4.10 diff.
TruxEdo tonneua cover, rubber bed mat, Ranger all weather floor mats.

That looks worse than the spark plugs!

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1994 Ranger XLT 4cyl 5spd

My '96 does the same exact thing. Plenty warm in the cab but the temp gauge on the dash hardly makes it up to the normal range.

I replaced the thermostat and it is pretty simple. The toughest part was "burping" the system to get the air out.

The new Motorcraft thermostat I put in it still did nothing for the temp on the gauge. Sure it is cold here now, but I just put a piece of cardboard covering most of the radiator and the temp on the gauge comes up a bit more.

I think it is just a common thing for these motors. I have a co-worker with the same truck and he says his does the same exact thing.

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1996 Ford Ranger
2.3L engine
5 speed manual transmission

make sure you use the motorcraft tstat.......and get the hottest onetheyhave liek a 192............do not use the 180

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

easy to swap.

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MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..

same thing my 94 does looks low but good heat

same here my goes up lik 1/4 way up then warms up then goes back down

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TOTALED 2001 Ford Ranger SuperCab 4.0L SOHC Manual 4x4
SOLD 1996 Ford Ranger 2.3L 2wd Reg Cab

My needle barely reads above cold. The heater does work great however. I've read on here, that is normal...

Is that schematic the same for the 96? I went ahead and bought a t-stat and it has a rubber square-ring gasket on it kind of like I've seen in a different schematic posted for a 2000 ranger but It didn't come with the flat (paper?) flange gasket shown above. Do I have the right t-stat and/or do I just need to go get the flat flange gasket? or is the rubber square-ring gasket all that is needed?

Thanks, I just want to have everything I need so I don't have to stop half way through and go to the store and risk not being able to drive the truck to work.

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96 Ranger XLT 2.3L 2wd
98 Bandit 1200 (holeshot jetting, slip-on, k&n's)
03 Evolution | 12.3 @ 113 [2009] (k&n, 3" exhaust, walbro fuel pump, GSC S1 cams, EBC)
Now with FMIC, hard piping and IX turbo.

this is the recommended t-stat Mororcraft #F8CZ8575AA} Therm 190. What brand tstat did you get. The only other one that i would reluctantly suggest if you cant get the MC is the Stant. The tstat gasket is a separate item. I would suggest you get one.

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I got the only one my local autozone had in stock.

Fail-Safe MotoRad 192°

Is the gasket you're referring to the one pictured on my tstat or one for the thermostat housing with the 2 bolt holes cut out in it?

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96 Ranger XLT 2.3L 2wd
98 Bandit 1200 (holeshot jetting, slip-on, k&n's)
03 Evolution | 12.3 @ 113 [2009] (k&n, 3" exhaust, walbro fuel pump, GSC S1 cams, EBC)
Now with FMIC, hard piping and IX turbo.

EvoSean. The gasket I am talking about is the flat one with 2 holes. I would bring that t-stat back and order a MC tstat from Rockauto.com IMHO

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).