Lower Rad Hose Not Getting Hot

[silveradowes]

I was losing heat inside the truck and i thought it was the thermostat. I replaced the thermostat and i notice that the heater hoses and top rad hose get hot but the lower hose stay cool. The heat is working better but it has also warmed up drastically the past couple of days. The truck stays just below half on the temp gauge where it has always been. Its a stock thermostat, the truck is not overheating according to my gauges. I followed instructions on how to purge it and ive been watching the coolent levels and they have not changed when i check cold. I thought maybe my water pump is shot? Also my engine light came on after i replaced the stat. I checked all wiring etc.. around where i was working all good. I was reading about pulling the top rad hose off then pouring my coolent in to purge it some more.

thx