Engine overheating (99 Ram Van Wagon 2500 5.2l V8)

I've checked all of the other posts I can to try to figure it out, but I don't want to go out and buy any parts until I have a better idea of what is wrong with it.

Hello, I have the same engine, 5.2L or 318 V8 in a 1992 Dodge B250 I have been back and forth to the auto parts store, junk yard and have had several mechanics other than myself take a look at it and no one could figure out the problem. So, had it scanned, there were several codes including a code 37 I found the coolant temperature sensor was reading "voltage too high". Read up on this and found that this was the cause the overheating, the raw gas smell, black smoke, and voltage regulator overcharge the system.

The voltage regulator isn’t regulating the voltage! It’s going to also boil your battery & ruin it. Now days most are internal in the alternator. I’d get it changed before it ruins some of the more sensitive electronics on your van

I've had overheating problems on my 94 dodge when in traffic it would overheat the whole time it was a small puncture on the hose near the thermostat.