alright so i was wondering if its normal for a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 to run at this temperature, which is a little to the right of the middle line, which is marked with the purple line.

 

It's not at the redline so it's kinda ok. It should be on the same position but on the other side. How long has it been running at that temp?

 

Since i bought it. I think im gonna get the radiator flushed.

 

Make sure you have plenty of coolant. If the coolants a little low, it'll run a bit warm, or if it needs to be "burped".

 

210 is a little hot, but the temp will climb in the hot summer with auto trans working hard and AC on. the AC condensor puts out a lot of heat right that in front of the radiator. a good flush never hurts. while you're doing that backflush the heater core so you're ready for winter, and look for the block drain plugs on each side, hiding behind the engine mounts. little hex head pipe plugs. careful with them, hard to get ahold of and easy to strip. i used vise grips on them. also a 180 stat will give you a slight drop.

why is your speed at 120 ?
wow, you have low mileage.

 

75K on a '96? NICE FIND! But yeah its running slighty hot...like dh said, a 180 thermostat will cool it down a few degrees. You prolly need to flush or add coolant, or burp it. Make sure you don't have any leaks in your hoses. You should be running warmer than usual cause of hot summer days, that is normal. But not that warm...

Correct me if I am wrong guys, but can you run a little hot from a failing water pump also? not sure on this...

 

That gauge cluster is NOT from a '96 fella's. That is the '98-'01 cluster.

This is what the '94-'97 cluster looks like.



My '96 gets up to right at 200* and then drops way back down. That is with the A/C running and sitting in traffic. Normally driving down the road it runs below 200*, probably about the exact opposite of where the original poster put his purple mark.


Yes, you are correct.

 

I know that my picture isnt a '96 dash. I was just using it as a reference. But i did get the truck with low miles. 98,000.

So whats a 180 thermostat?

 

I was refering to the other posters who thought the picture you posted was a '96 dash.

A vehicle thermostat is what controls coolant flow from the radiator to the engine. At a certain temp, for instance 180*, the thermostat opens allowing cooled antifreeze to flow from the radiator to the engine, thus keeping the engine cool.

 

Ok is this a good one? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/JET-10183/