There is nothing at all wrong with the temps you are reporting. Stop obsessing about it and go find something else on your truck to fix. The possibilities are endless ...

 

 

I love this post.

 

Update for those interested...

Rented a test kit from Auto Zone. Of course... the gauge on it was resting at 10 psi.
Used the yellow adaptor #3 on a lukewarm motor / system. Pumped it from 10 psi (resting) to 27... assuming that was probably the equivalent to 17 psi. It wasn't difficult, so again assuming it was around 17 psi.
After 15 minutes I'd lost about 4 psi. I did discover a very minor leak from the Heater Inlet hose. Adjusted and tightened the hose clamp and it stopped.

But wait... there's more...
Today I used adaptor #5 which fit deeper into the hole in the expansion tank. Motor / system was totally cool. Pumped back up to the 17 psi equivalent. MAYBE lost 1/2 psi over a 30 minute period.

So yeah... I reckon I can move on to something else for the moment. Like how my 2000 transfer case was apparently replaced my a later model lacking the center diff lock. Which was the whole reason I bought a 2000. Still love the truck though.

As always, thanks for the input.

 

Dont take it to high. Heater cores and radiators cant take alot of pressure.

if the gauge was reading wrong borrow a different one. You risk a blowout with the wrong reading.