I saw this on eBay while I was looking for more crap to upgrade and/or replace, and I heard angels singing when this popped up.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALUMINU...frcectupt=true

Aluminum...not plastic!

Has anyone installed something like this on their rig, yet?

I'm thinking on guinea-pigging this

 

 

 

When mine cracked this year I took it to the dealer. 2 year warranty and fresh antifreeze was peace of mind. Service guy said it's an improved housing. I'll have to look to see if its aluminum or plastic.

 

It took mine 14 years to finally leak. I hear horror stories of this being a weak point after changing, so I wanted to ask if anyone has had this installed and how it's been working for them.

As I originally posted, I may have to-guinea pig this thing.

 

You won't even be in the first 1000 to use it. It's well documented if you start searching "4.0 SOHC aluminum thermostat housing" and similar key phrases on Google.

There are 2 or 3 different styles of aluminum housings that have been made. I think 2 of those are still being produced.





GB :)

 

I get you.

What I should have said is if anyone here had used one.

I've become very wary about reviews online after my tussle with an Amazon seller.

I wrote an objective two-star review on some Bluetooth Earbuds...even on how to improve it, and the seller came back wanting me to sell out and change my opinion for a better review/rating.

...for a 30-buck pair of buds. Riiiiight.

 

 

Thanks for the posts about the thermostat housing on the V6~4.0L~SOHC engines.
Replaced a leaking old FRPlastic TStat Housing with a new Aluminum TStat Housing
in 2019Aug on a 2001 Ford ExSportTrac; no leaks as of 2020Mar & another ~5K miles.
Here's my write up on that: http://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Coolant_ThermoStat_Housing

 

Needing to do this on my 2011, however I only have one sensor. I would prefer the screw-in sensors but not sure if the supplied sensors are backwards compatible. Anybody know?

 

Not sure about your 2011, but on my 2001 ExST originally with 2 ClipMounted Sensors,
I pipe plugged the old ClipHole for the Left TempSensor, which solved a clearance problem for getting to the Left TimingTensioner,
then drilled+tapped a new ThreadedHole directly in front of the Right ClippedSensor which is the signal for the cluster temp gage,
& installed a new ThreadMount TempSensor in that new hole; the ThermocoupleOhmRange + KeyedHarnessPlug were the same,
so it did work. Again, I can't confirm this is the case with your 2011.
To be sure, you need to buy a ThreadedTempSensor
then compare the KeyedHarnessPlugs & measure the Ohms of both in IceWater+BoilingWater to be sure.
Note, this was done using an aluminum TStat housing, not the stock Plastic housing.
D

 

Thanks for the input, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on an aluminum thermostat housing.
It comes with two sensors so I will have to check the OHMs are the same as the stock one.

I plan on installing the moddbox supercharger kit and reducing the thermostat open temp so planned on doing this at the same time. Truck isn't my daily driver so it's not a huge deal for it to be down for a little bit and with COVID going on, why not?

 

You got this covered. Best of luck.

www.simmonsautosportz.com is another source for aluminum thermostat housings.

2 years ago my Ranger's PO's garage used a plastic replacement housing.

I know the garage owner to be a good guy and he wouldn't select a cheap one but who knows how to pick 'em? Would the industry have improved them by 2018?

 

Bumping this thread 1-1/2 years later. I'm just wondering about the implications of switching from plastic to aluminum as far as expansion/contraction, the aluminum being a better conductor of heat, etc.

How is everyone's aluminum housing holding up?

 

Yep, I've been worried about this issue too.
Also been worried about surviving the coming NuclearApocalypse, & how to shield myself
from those deadly GammaRays emanating from the Alien living in the house across the street.
Not even gonna mention Y2K Bugs, WMDs in Iraq, the approaching storm of Asteroids+Comets, the SuperVolcano explosion due next month, or CoViD !!!

Maybe, just maybe, we're overthinking this?
Assuming either Aluminum version of the ThermoStatHousing is installed properly on a V6~4.0L~SOHC,
it will likely outlast the rest of the vehicle. Mine's going strong after 20k Miles.

 

LOL. You're not wrong. Thanks for confirming!