Okay, I'm not an idiot (ignore what the wife says).

Here's the problem. Car is with my son at college. Little over and hour drive away. So I'm trying to troubleshoot before driving down.

Engine overheats in the drive thru, at lights, etc.

Not sure if it does on the open highway.

Had him check when cool, coolant is there.

Had him get it HOT and check the upper hose, he said it's very warm, but not so warm you can't hold it.

All things in my mind point to either stuck thermostat, or fan not functioning. He's not sure if the fan comes on, but it just started this tonight and it's late.

I'm more incline to think thermostat. So If I travel down, I should get a new thermostat, maybe an upper hose and clamps, and a new rubber gasket. Am I missing anything here?

How much coolant will be lost taking the thermostat out? I will take some, but I don't plan to drain the entire radiator.

Is this easy to get to?

Last but not least, how hard is the electric fan to replace?

Just picking everyone’s brain. It's a real pisser to drive all the way down and find out it was something else, ore even worse, I forgot some simple thing I needed to complete the job.