OK so I took a long camping trip this holiday weekend and when I was driving the mountain passes my 02 ram 1500 quad 4.7L got hot. The check gages light came on and at that point the temp gage was all the way over to the right. I was not towing anything just three people and their camping gear. I pulled over at a rest stop and let the engine cool. The temp went back down to the middle of the gage. From then in I had to turn on the heat full blast to go up any hills. So where do I start??? You guys are awesome for helping me.

 

I'd check the thermostat first and go from there.

 

Before tearing into the thermo housing do the easy thing. Flush and fill. Make sure to bleed the air out of the system. Usually there are air bleeders near the thermo housing. You have to open them and run the truck with the heat on until you do not get air out of it (all coolant).

 

I agree a good flush may do it. poss need to have radiator rodded out.

 

Ok I will flush and fill tomorrow, then see how it goes from there. thanks
Kevin