i have a 2.3L 2001 ranger . I believe its the basic model, xl, or whatever the lowest model is. Its a 4cyl.

Anyways, my thermostat was stuck so i opened the thermostat housing, seen the thermostat and pulled it out. Only problem was a wire connected the thermostat to the housing. So the wire ripped (obviously).
Pep boys only sells universal thermostats. I need the one with the wire connected to the sensor i guess.

Besides the dealership, $165 friggin bucks, where else can i find a thermostat?

 

See if the Stant p/n 31719 (~$10 @ Advance A/P) water outlet will bolt in place of your original. It has a fitting just waiting for a sensor.

If it does fit, then you need to plumb in and install a temp sensor to drive your guage. You may need to go to the hardware store and get a 3/8″ pipe thread short nipple and a 3/8″ pipe thread union to connect the temp sensor.

And I have no earthly idea which temp sensor you should use. I would measure the resistance of the old one at ambient temperature and get one that'll connect easily (like a single spade terminal), has the same ambient resistance, and will plumb into that water outlet.

 

yea unfortuantely I dont know why they did it with the duratecs but the thermostat and housing are one nonserviceable unit...