My truck is overheating, and I'm trying to narrow down the culprit...

The top and bottom radiator hoses are getting hot, so I'm assuming the water pump is pumping, and fluid is running through the radiator properly (correct me if I'm wrong). Also, the radiator fan is turning normally.

I'm thinking probably the thermostat or temp sensor has gone bad. What do you think? What else should I check?

EDIT: 2.3L 96 Ranger

 

thermo and rad cap

 

Dirty cooling fins. Try blowing air from the back side of the radiator toward the front and see if dust and stuff come out.

Then try replacing the thermostat, then the temp sender.

 

Replace the thermostat anyway. They are cheap, and when they get old, they like to stick in the closed position.

Start little, then go deeper if the problem persists. Clean the cooling fins first off, then go from there....to the thermostat, the cap, the rad itself, the pump....and the like.