A better way to describe the problem:

25* outside... Start 4Runner, drive for 2 blocks. Temp gauge buried in the cold. Leave stop sign, start accellerating... Temp suddenly jumps to the middle, sometimes popping back and forth to the bottom at random for a couple minutes, then stuck in the middle for the duration of the trip. Sometimes the gauge jumps to the middle as soon as it is running, but will always end up there within 2 minutes (even if idling in the driveway).

It doesn't matter if it's 8* or 80*... Same thing.

"A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living." - John F. Kennedy

Proud owner of an 88 Montero (with a blown engine).