Last year, my 1995 Dodge Dakota started overheating. Let me just say right now that had I known what I know now, I would have taken it to a mechanic to do a pressure test before I did anything else. Issues with pressure in your water lines can cause multiple things to go wrong with your cooling system, so it’s always best to check that before you start replacing every part on the system. Other causes may be a broken gasket or thermostat. You might even have a leak in the radiator itself.
Check for leaks. Before I started replacing anything, I checked my hoses and radiator for leaks. I took the cap off the radiator, started the truck and filled the radiator with the truck running, which by the way is the way you want to do it if your truck overheats and you don’t want to crack your engine block.
You will need a set of channel locks, socket set and a Phillips screwdriver bit.
Change the thermostat. On a 1995 Dodge Dakota, the thermostat sits right next to the radiator, connected by a water line. Remove the water line, then the three bolts on the housing. Scrape off the gasket and clean the area. Remove the thermostat. Put the new thermostat in and replace the gasket, housing, and water line. Test your radiator by filling it and running the truck to check for leaks or overheating.
Change the radiator. In the end, I changed the radiator because it was showing signs of metal deterioration. To do this, I first removed the heat plate under it and the fan shroud above it. Then I disconnected the water hoses. The hardest part was disconnecting the pressurized lines on the bottom of it that held the transmission fluid to be cooled. The fittings look like you need a special tool; so let me save you some time here. You don’t need a special tool. You need a pair of large pliers or channel locks. Squeeze the tabs that are sticking out and wiggle the line. They will pop right off. After removing the pressurized lines, unscrew the screws holding the radiator to the truck. Remove the old bushings that are below the radiator and replace them with new ones. Put the new radiator in the truck. Do all of the steps again in reverse, making sure to fasten the radiator to the truck before connecting any hoses.
References: Personal experience