Is there another place that maybe sepcializes in auto repair help that a person can ask specific questions? I wonder if I can call the dealership and ask. I started to replace the thermostat on my 2004 Dodge ram 1500 but can't figure out the radiator drain cock. It turns 90 degrees but that's it. Also, I got to thinking maybe the waterpump is causing my problems of overheating. I'd just like to talk to someone about some problems.

Calling the service dept at the dealership would be your best bet to get the info you want. But then, they may want you to bring it in. Sometimes its best to give up and save your sanity and let the experts do it. Sky high hourly rate of course, doesn't help. The parts are always quite reasonable though, because everyone makes them nowadays. They are rather generic.

The drain doesn't actually come out, just turns off and on like a faucet, the fluid will drain when you take off the radiator cap. The thermostat is usually inside the radiatror hose, you just loosen the clamps holding the hose on to remove it. The water pump makes a lot of noise if it goes on you. Radiator fluid could need changing or maybe you need a new cap.
The dealer will fix your car and do it for free if it's a warranty repair and he will give you a free estimate, but they won't generally get involved in tutoring you. You could try calling a local college or an auto repair school or even take a class yourself. The sort of mechanic who has his own repair shop may have time to advise you

The drain doesn't actually come out, just turns off and on like a faucet, the fluid will drain when you take off the radiator cap. The thermostat is usually inside the radiatror hose, you just loosen the clamps holding the hose on to remove it. The water pump makes a lot of noise if it goes on you. Radiator fluid could need changing or maybe you need a new cap.
The dealer will fix your car and do it for free if it's a warranty repair and he will give you a free estimate, but they won't generally get involved in tutoring you. You could try calling a local college or an auto repair school or even take a class yourself. The sort of mechanic who has his own repair shop may have time to advise you

The problem there is that much of the time the person you talk to at the service dept. is just a clerk and doesn't know anything about the vehicles. I'd like to talk to a mechanic. I also hate leaving my vehicle with them all frikkin day just to fix a small problem.

I turned the drain 90 degrees and took off the cap already and nothing. Maybe it's clogged? I need to replace the radiator anyway because it's leaking.

The link below may help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-3.html#post235973

After opening the drain, take a wire and poke it--corrosion or mineral buildup may be forming a blockage. If that's the case, you may want to replace the radiator. Be sure to only use a 50/50 mixture of G-05 antifreeze and distilled water. Mineral buildup is a common problem, which often leads to overheating.

The drain, if it is going across the pipe, that is closed, in line with the pipe, open.
Be sure the car hasn't run where the fluid could be hot, you can just pull off the hose and have a bucket handy to let the antifreeze fall into. When you go to refill it later it will be obvious whether the draincock is open or not.
At the bottom of the page, use the experts link to find one of AMHD's car repair experts even call them or send a private message if he doesn't respond the forum soon... it's a weekend during football season you know. Sorry I couldn't be more help
And there he is, txgreasemonkey in the building!!

Dave, I read this about your truck in other threads and radiators are a big issue in overheating concerns.
I'm not a Dodge tech, but I retain a lot from what I've heard before in this business. There's many that can be of help right here at AMHD. Hang with us.

Let me add some details to make sure you have all the info. I have a leak along the side of the radiator where the fins meet the side chamber. I'll replace the radiator in the next week or two. I don't know if it started leaking because the engine got hot or if it's even related to the overheating. I noticed the coolant was low and so I filled it up in the radiator and in the plastic reservoir. I drove it again and no real change. The engine temp seems to go up pretty quick and if I stay under 55 or so it stays pretty close the normal range but if I get on it or drive 70 mph or more it rises above the normal range and even will get near the red mark and I get a warning from the truck to check guages. Yesterday, it did it just driving 40 mph on a side road then the temp kept going down a little and back up to the hot mark Does this sound like a thermostat problem? The truck has 80,000 miles on it. 2004 Dodge Ram 1500, 4 x 4, automatic, 4.7 liter V8. Hope that's all the info.

Oh yeah, I did get the drain cock to open. I had to turn it over 90 degrees where it starts to move outward and opens up. Then to close it you kind of have to push in and turn CCW.

Txgreasemonkey, I bought Prestone Dex-Cool because the guy at Auto Zone said it was the same as what Chrysler was using and he had just gone through the same issue with another person with a different vehicle. I mixed it with tap water because I had no idea it mattered. When I change the thermostat and or radiator I will use distilled water. The 50/50 is only like $1.00 cheaper than the non-mixed so I think it would be cheaper to buy the distilled water. The truck takes 17 qts of coolant.

No Dave, it sounds like a flow problem. The core is partially
Blocked or restricted. You must have maximum coolant flow upon higher demand of the engine.
A stuck thermostat will go straight to hot in any driving. I'm not saying that's not at fault too.
An inferred digital thermometer would show much cooler spots on the radiator core where the blockage is.

So, by replacing the radiator, that should hopefully take care of it? Or should I try the thermostat first? The thing is, I plan on replacing the radiator soon anyway. I noticed when I added coolant, it would only take just a little bit of coolant and then it took a while for it to go down enough so that I could add more. I could hear it kind of girgling really lightly.

Use Zerex G-05 coolant on Chrysler products, not DexCool. DexCool is primarily for GM vehicles. My bet is that the radiator is the problem. Using DexCool in this application could create a HUGE problem. It's called "DeathCool" by some. Call a Chrysler service department for the recommended antifreeze or check the owner's manual--don't rely on a salesman.

DexCool is an Organic Acid Technology (OAT) technology, while G-05 is a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT). The wrong antifreeze can accelerate corrosion and affect gaskets. Read on the internet about the class action suits involving DexCool.