'96 Tracker with the 16v 1.6L.

-Any particular brand of thermostat to avoid or look for?  Never done one on these but I know sometimes the aftermarket's thermostats aren't always correct for a vehicle.
What temp?  180?

-Going to be doing a coolant change.  Anything I need to do or any tricks to get it done properly?

-Anyone block their radiators in the cold?  Damn near zero F lately and the thing sure doesn't stay warm.  Normal is about half way up the temp gauge and in this cold stuff I'm lucky if it stays a third to a quarter the way up the gauge.
If you do, how do you do it?

Thoughts, suggestions, comments welcomed (other than moving, we're trying to sell our house so yeah, we're planning on it...).

Bueller?

Check out acksfaq at http://www.acksfaq.com and do a search for cooling.  He has a copy of the FSM section for radiators and such.

Never had a problem with any of the aftermarket T-stats, but I typically use the NAPA brand.

For cooling I have had to hang an old car floor mat in front of the radiator in my Dodge Diesel so it would warm up faster. I used those wide black paper spring clamp binders to hold the top edge of the mat to the lip of the radiator support in front of the radiator and behind the intercooler. That way it is easily removable and waterproof.....unlike the cardboard I have seen jammed up under truck hoods.


Sean

Oh, and I even have some floormats in the garage...thanks!

I think I'm going to see how the thing does with new fluid and a thermostat and then maybe do the floormat.  No one seems to have blocked the radiator on their Track/Kick.

AJM... Michigan's cold eh?! I got the same issue, warmed-up means <1/4 up the guage. I also used NAPA's stock T-stat. It has fair heating/defrosting ability. I was wondering how blocking the rad worked?

Haven't even had a chance.  Spent all weekend cleaning the house or moving snow.  Hoping this weekend will give me a chance...maybe Xmas eve.


Hoping one of our Canadian comrades can chime in.

Yea,  my 94 sidekick runs cold here in Colorado.  I blocked the radiator with cardboard and it worked good, but you have to watch it cause it can overheat under a load.  Feel for the heat coming thru the vents and don't only depend on the gauge.  I like the napa thermo too.

When I built my rig, I made the rad/elect. fan a modular combination which comes out with just the removal of the 4 bolts at the botom of rad's side brackets. I also made these rails to slide a screen in front of the rad. I'm thinkin' (uh-oh!) of sliding a 1/4" sheet of "luan" paneling in there. Cut some 4" holes as I need 'em. The "check engine" light comes on intermittently and I think it's cause it's too cool  and runnin' rich too long.