And the thermostat should be 195. Your gauge should sit just below the 200, or right around it. Remember, the thermostat STARTS opening at 195. If you leave it as is, I would bet real money that you will get a code for Engine too cold too long in relatively short order.

 

Man I really hate doing thermostats when it's single digit weather

 

that's a possibility with my Durango. on my 2500 v10 I got one of these.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/c...922%7CL2*15023


when you say the safety stat do you mean the ones with the hole in them with the little tab deal sticking through it? I think I stayed away from that if it was an option

 

That's about where my needle is with a 180° thermostat.
The right side of the needle just touching the bottom corner of the "2".
The stock 195°, it is a half needle width further over, shadowing the bottom corner of the "2".

I use Stant thermostat...

 

If its running at the right temp, and it's a new heater core, what else could it be? I'm stumped

 

+1 for Stant Superstats - never had any trouble out of them in any of my vehicles, including the truck.

 

Clogged or partially clogged heater core.

 

Have someone check your engine temp. with a scan tool for an accurate temp. reading (as long as computer temp sensor is OK ), Autozone may do it for you. Also remember that thermostat controls minimum engine temp. not maximum. If engine is not getting hot enough, you can block off radiator with card board to see if it gets hotter, just don't let it overheat. Check your rad. fan clutch, to make sure it is not locked up. If all that is OK, maybe blend door or air pocket problem, as mentioned before. Also check heater core hoses, they should both be hot (close to same temp). If one is cold, then you have poor coolant flow through core. Also, an infrared temp. sensor may be helpful in diagnosing problem, they have become very reasonable priced. Just some ideas for you to try, Good Luck.

 

+1 on using an infrared/laser temp sensor tool. I recently bought one off a clearance table at Tractor Supply for $12.00 to keep as a spare in the house. If both heater hoses are hot, the blend door could also be the cause - if so, might want to check out this link for a fix - http://heatertreater.net/dodge-ram-95-02/

 

The safety stats are designed to fail in the "open" position. Unfortunately, one hot day, and they fail......

The stant super-stat is indeed your best bet.