Hi, I just bought a 2007 dodge ram 1500 with 4.7L V8. Driving around the temp gauge sits at a little over quarter on the gauge. I took it on a trip up in the mountains and on hills going up temp would rise to half gauge, but never went over. Then it would cool back down to quarter. I was wondering if that is normal for these trucks or if its something to be concerned about. And I was not hauling anything. Thanks!

 

Someone could have changed the thermostat to 180. Change it back to the stock thermostat if running cool bothers you. I have a 180 in mine and it sits at about a quarter on my gauge.

 

Dodge,

I agree with Mark's post above about the thermostat being the possible cause with what you experienced.

 

As far as halfway on the guage. That is normal and not too hot....if that's what you were concerned about? My truck sits just below halfway and touches halfway if I'm towing.

 

Ya I was just more concerned in the drastic change in the temp just from going up a hill. Not even towing anything . I'm use to no movement in the temp even under load in other trucks.

 

The half way mark or just short of it is normal for a stock thermostat, so creeping up to that point or even a little over is nothing at all for concern. If you are running more at the 1/4 mark on flat, even ground then I'd bet you that it's got an aftermarket 180* thermostat in it, which is fine too. That's what I run...

 

Shouldn't a truck with a 180 t-stat stay near 180 all the time? Looks like an overheat is coming soon to me. I'd say flush the rad, see if it's starting to get plugged. Don't let that 4.7 overheat!

 

Nah, not necessarily, if it's running a clutch fan and it's under load and hot out it's not uncommon to run 15* or so over the temp that the t-stat opens at.
Although my truck stays pretty much at about 10-10:30 on the gauge, my Jeep with a 195* t-stat will often run about 205-210* under load or in heavy traffic and there are no issues. It's been maintained at about twice as often as the recommended intervals and has always been that way...