2002 4x4 4.3 Liter Overheating????

I have a 2002 crew cab, the temp gauge runs normally at about 1 click left of the middle line, but I noticed tonight while I sit in a drive thru that the temp went up to almost past 3/4ths then didnt want to cool down when I started driving again..... I hear the fan clutch working, when I start in the mornings and when the temp gets 1/2 way it sounds like a tornado under the hood, its also got the right amount of coolant in it...... Any Ideas as how to fix this?


Thanks

They truck is now constantly running w/ the gauge in the middle, when waiting at redlights it will rise to 3/4ths.... there is also a slight coolant smell...... I live in Mississippi and the temps have been near 100, could this just be a side affect of the high temperatures?

Could be, but my guess is that your rad could use a good cleaning.

This is best done by seperating the 2 rads as far apart as easily done and spraying each half out 1 at a time. If you have access to a pressure washer at home you'll be laughing.
I had heating problems caused by just that on my car