1987 Dodge Ram Running hot

Factory gauges are notorisly inaccurate & I'd bet your thermal gauge is telling you the truth. Not sure what the factory thermostat setting is for your particular engine, but it went up to the 205-215 range on everything years ago. Reason being a hotter engine passes emissions tests easier & also, since the system is pressurized, the coolant's boiling point is raised substantially.

If you want to lower the coolant temp, you can get a thermostat set for 180* & I've even used one set @ 160*, but the factory thermostat was most likely a 205 or 210. And the temp should stay the same all the time, winter or summer, idle, city driving or going down the highway - that's what the thermostat is for - to allow the engine to warm up quickly then stay @ the same temp all the time.

The stock thermostat is a 195. I have a 180 in there and ordered a 160 to put in. Are you saying you think I have a running hot problem? Im stuck between putting a electric fan in or changing the water pump. I just dont want to waste any more money throwing parts at it.

Unless the water pump is leaking, I wouldn't suspect it. Electric fans are great, but the only time I've needed one was for towing in really hot weather, etc. & If the coolant flow isn't up to where it should be, an additional fan would just be a "Band-Aid".

You said you've replaced the radiator (other parts too) & had the whole system backfllushed, so the flow should be good, but corrosion in the engine cooling passages could be the culprit & flushing won't necessarily clean those out properly. Did you get a lot of rust/corrosion during the flush?

Yes, there was a decent amount of rust and the water was brown. I ran a super flush cleaner through first, then backflushed it. I have heard there are drains on the block too but could not find them anywhere. Dont know if that would have made a difference.