I recently purchased a beautiful 1993 black, dodge dakota, 318 v8, ext. cab., in EXCELLENT condition and with only 106,000 miles. The previous owner was my neigbor of 20 years, so I know this truck was taken care of. I'm a new member and I'm a very excited dodge owner. I've owned atleast 20 trucks in my life and this is by far the nicest, I love this truck.

Anyhow, I have a problem.. The only problem with this truck is the heater, it won't heat up quickly enough. I changed the thermostat but this didn't help. I changed it with the stock thermostat 195 degree, I actually would like to use a 180 degree thrmostat. However, I'm sure this would make matters worse? Anyhow here's what it does.. It takes about 45 minutes until the heater is fairly warm and it just warm enough to satisfy, but not warm enough!! If it's not the thermostat what else could it be? Is it something I could check or change?

I would appreciate the help and I'll be talking to you guys allot because I love this truck. This is the first dodge I've owned and I'm COMPLETELY hooked. I love this thing... The only probelm is my wife believes I bought it for her? SHe has a 2000 explorer and I can't keep her out of this truck..

 

I think you have a restriction in the heater core.
Is the engine getting hot?, does the temp gauge go up quicker?
If the engine is getting hot then you most likely have a restriction in the heater core. You should be able to pull the heater hoses off the core and flush it out with a garden hose.
I'd leave the 195 stat in it. If u had a t-stat problem you'd likely have a check engine lamp on, "for engine too cool, too long".
You did put the spring on the t-stat "towards" the engine

 

Actually the engine runs very cool, not hot at all. It's a very sweet running / quite engine. However, for some reason the heater takes about 30 minutes to warm up, maybe this is normal. It never gets real warm, but warm enough to saisfy. I've decided to wait until summer to flush out the heater core because it's not that bad to mess with right now. It's kinda cold here in Northern Indiana. I've come close to placing the thermostat in backwards several years ago and from that point on I've not forgot, so no it's not backwards. I believe it could just be cold natured or the heater core needs flushed, thanks for the help..

 

This might sound silly but have you tested the coolant? sometime by topping off the coolant between flushes the concentration becomes to high and the engine won't heat up as quickly in cool weather. This happened a few winters ago to me on my old Bronco, it wouldn't reach temp so I tested the coolant and it was close to 100% concentration ( I thought I had been keeping a good eye on it). flushed the coolant, filled with 50/50 and it was back to normal. It might be a good idea to check anyway since its a new buy. If thats not the case and your engine continues to run cool your thermostat may be stuck open. Best of luck with your new truck!

 

Clean the heater core, disconnect both hoses and flush it with a heater hose. after that flush the whole radiator.