I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L that is running hotter tthen usual. It has never done it before until about 3 weeks ago I was pulling my boat and my temp. guage was almost in the red. (It normally runs at the half way mark.) I have replaced the water pump about a year ago, just installed a fail-proof thermostat, new radiator hoses (top & bottom) and new coolant. I have checked my coolant levels and they are good. The top radiator hose gets hot as hell and I'm able to squeeze it together when the trucks is running at the half way mark. The radiator is hot on one side and luke warm on the other. The fan is running fine. I an lost as to what it might be. Please any suggestions would help! The only thing left to do is put a new radiator cap on it. I have search and search for answers. Please help!!!!

 

you might want to re-post in the 3rd gen section to get a better answer regarding the 4.7.

but - your problem could be a stopped up radiator, or bad after-effects from the previous overheating, such as leaking head gasket; or that fail-safe t-stat.

if it just recently started, and the boat episode was just one more instance of what's become regular overheating, then i'd suspect the radiator. if its acting worse since the boat, i'd consider head gasket.

a compression test can rule out head gasket.
i don't know of any scientific way to test the radiator. i usually fill it up, then remove the bottom hose to see how fast it dumps. that's not very conclusive.