I get a combined (city/hwy) average of 16 - 18 mpg.

It does sound like your thermostat is in need of replacement. Get a 203* T-Stat. I switched to one and am VERY pleased. Engine warm-up is faster, heater output is MUCH warmer and the truck just 'feels' better.

 

Alright, so this morning i had to run to the shed, on my way back, i heard something slapping, sounded just like the serpentine belt was just coming apart, i was within a half mile of the house, parked, popped the hood, coolant was running out underneath, belt was indeed starting to come apart, but was still intact, had coolant running from the t-stat housing.. I dont know why all of sudden it did it, tried taking the bolts out, and twisted all 3 bolts off, which i have heard occurs, so i was a little prepared for it. Went to Napa, got water pump, t-stat, temp sensor thats in the water pump, belt, and new t-stat housing, took my time putting it all back together trying to make sure i tightened the housing down straight, fired it up.. STILL leaking out from the housing. So i am going to take it back off tomorrow and maybe see if the oring pushed in towards the center.. Maybe try bending the bolts ears out a little bit to see if i can get it to get a little more pressure on the oring.. and then if that doesnt work, idk what to do. Everything is new... Maybe some RTV sealant? And everywhere i called the highest temp t-stat i could get was 195. I might order a 203 from Dieselsite and put it in. And i am going to try unplugging the EBPV and see if i gain anything. My MBRP exhaust shoudl be here this week so

 

Leave the factory stat in there... The last thing you need is hotter oil. stock truck, maybe, but otherwise keep the stocker in there.

Pull the housing and use a bit of RVT all the way around.

Done deal!

 

It is pretty much stock, only thing done/will get done to it, is just the 6637 filter and a TBE exhaust to get rid of the stock DP..

Going to take it back apart now

 

With a high flow intake and the bigger dp you will be able to really here the turbo. My 94.5 turbo was way louder then my 05 CR was with a intake and str8 pipe. And of course my 6.0 turbo is the loudest of them all.

 

My 96 has never got above the N on the temp gauge and my heater blows super hot would this still mean i need a new thermostat? Oh it also takes forever to warm up

 

BlackOut96, I replaced the T-stat in my '96 twice for the same reason and came to 1 conclusion...the tank was just simply cold blooded.

With turbo whistle, I ran "short stacks" (turned out just over bed rails) for a while and people would hear me long before I arrived.

 

if you straight pipe it the turbo gets a lot louder. mine is straight piped and i have 33 inch swampers and i can hear it over the loud tires

 

Yeah but once you put an exhaust, intake or both on you will here the turbo. Mine sounds great, it's not overly loud but just lets you know it's there.

 

disagree on the quiet turbos.... i have a 96 with a bd compressor wheel and you can hear it over the 33 swampers..... key to hear it is to have a straight pipe exhaust