Living in the Northeast, up till now, my 5.4L temp gauge consistently read near the halfway point. Now it only reads near a quarter, no more. The needle climbs no higher than the bottom of the thermometer graphic on the gauge. Shoud this be a concern?

 

Yes, I'd replace the thermostat.

 

the gauge on ur dash??? honstly i dont trust mine one bit. i have an aftermarket as well as the dash gauge. at 140* on my aftermarket the dash is in the middle area for normal. ive gotten my aftermarket to 255* and my dash gauge never moved. i dont trust them thats just me.

if you have acesses to a scan tool that can tell you engine temp take it for a ride.

lately my truck hasnt been getting much over 170* because its cold some days it struggles to make it past 150*

 

well whats the optimum running temp?

 

my aftermarket is on the driver side head so thats coolant after its gone threw the rad. my truck normaly is about 180* turn the fan on when the gauge his 200* but becuse its so cold it goes from about 160*-170*

 

190 to 220. That's why it comes with a 192 thermostat.

 

ya themro is 190 or 192 as GLC said. ive had a scan tool and the ECT one up top was around 195 when my aftermarket was 180* even just stoped and idling my radator still cooled it down 10*

 

eh, I run a 195 t stat and after it opens mine truck stays at 185 constantly... NO matter how cold or hot out