what should i look for

[philipac]

so last Tuesday i overheated and had to replace my water pump and I'm wondering if there are any problems i should look for that can result from overheating. just trying to make sure i have a semi-reliable truck.

 

[DILLARD000]

Your 2004 V6~4.0L~SOHC is 17+ years old now; assuming you've still got all original factory Coolant components, excepting the Pump, she needs a full makeover:
~ Drain old Coolant, refill with distilled water, drive for 30min then drain water
~ Replace junk Plastic ThermoStat Housing with Alum ThermoStat Housing
~ Replace ThermoStat
~ Replace junk Plastic HeaterControlValve with Metal HeaterControlValve
~ Replace junk Plastic Tee+Hose factory assemblies with Metal HoseBarbTees & standard Hoses
~ Replace junk Plastic Tanked 2Row Radiator with AllAlum 3\4Row Radiator
~ Replace RadiatorCap+BoilOverHose, flush & half fill BoilOverTank with fresh 50/50 Coolant
~ Replace all Hoses older than 5years
~ Replace FanClutch & SerpBelt
~ Fore+BackWard Flush HeaterCore with WaterHose+AirCompressor, then reverse In+Out Hoses
~ Refill with fresh 50/50 Coolant,
~ Park vehicle pointed uphill, run idling to warmup
~ Burp air from system (may take several test drives + top offs)

 

[Todd Z]

Perform coolant system leak test and do compression test to test head gaskets.

 

[philipac]

Your 2004 V6~4.0L~SOHC is 17+ years old now; assuming you've still got all original factory Coolant components, excepting the Pump, she needs a full makeover:
~ Drain old Coolant, refill with distilled water, drive for 30min then drain water
~ Replace junk Plastic ThermoStat Housing with Alum ThermoStat Housing
~ Replace ThermoStat
~ Replace junk Plastic HeaterControlValve with Metal HeaterControlValve
~ Replace junk Plastic Tee+Hose factory assemblies with Metal HoseBarbTees & standard Hoses
~ Replace junk Plastic Tanked 2Row Radiator with AllAlum 3\4Row Radiator
~ Replace RadiatorCap+BoilOverHose, flush & half fill BoilOverTank with fresh 50/50 Coolant
~ Replace all Hoses older than 5years
~ Replace FanClutch & SerpBelt
~ Fore+BackWard Flush HeaterCore with WaterHose+AirCompressor, then reverse In+Out Hoses
~ Refill with fresh 50/50 Coolant,
~ Park vehicle pointed uphill, run idling to warmup
~ Burp air from system (may take several test drives + top offs)

putting in the order tonight, what brand radiator, thermostat housing, and thermostat do you recomend

edit: i cant even find a 3 or 4 row all aluminum radiator for my truck

 

[DILLARD000]

...what brand radiator, thermostat housing, and thermostat

Your original 2Row PlasticTanked Radiator can be replaced with a 3or4Row AllAluminum Radiator.
I chose a 4Row CoolingSpecialist# 2173, an easy drop in replacement; happy with no issues 2yrs now.
Your TransmissionHeatExchanger tubing connections maybe a newer version with ORings?
Click here for more info.

Your original plastic ThermoStat Housing can be replaced with an Aluminum ThermoStat Housing.
There's basicly 2 designs: a 1PieceBody by SimmonsAutoSportz or 2PieceBody from several other vendors;
both are vast improvements over plastic Ford\AfterMarket parts; both have advantages\disadvantages.
I chose the 2PieceBody design , notably cheaper at the time; happy with no leaks 2yrs later now.
RockAuto, ZabTek, SimmonsAutoSportz, Amazon, Ebay,...
Pick required 1 or 2 ClipMt or ThreadMt TempSensorHoles, & RightHi\RightLo\Foreward outlet to radiator.
Click here for more info.

Your original 192f ThermoStat can be replaced with the same FordMotorCraft or Stant 192f ThermoStat.
Alternatively I installed a Stant 183f ThermoStat
& modified the LowerByPassDisc myself to allow wider opening into HousingByPassThroat
to enable higher flow to new 4Row Radiator & cooler running. Happy with 183~185f typical running temp.

Hope this helps.