Looks like this question never got answered. What is the recommended strategy here, both for the water pump as well as the thermostat housing? RTV? Gasket alone? RTV + gasket? RTV on both sides of the gasket? So many options!
I've only done this job once before on a Ford 289, and I'm pretty sure I used RTV to some extent. I've done several non-Jeep t-stat housings and they all used RTV.....and several JKU 3.6L's which did not. Would love guidance from the masses regarding the 4.0L.
I used the gasket alone. I was very careful to torque everything to spec. No leaks at all.