1996 Ranger overheating after draining

[750beater]

Swap it out if temp gauge climbs when idling, and you don't hear LOUD fan noise on Cold Start

Water pump with worn out impeller(fins) can do same thing, temp climbs at idle, but you would still have the loud noise from working fan clutch

Oh and I replaced the water pump a couple thousand miles ago. It basically had no teeth, which I figured explained the odd temp readings.

 

[tomw]

Ummh, ok. Did not think I mentioned something stationery not needing a fan. The Lima can go quite a while before it overheats. The same radiator is installed with or without A/C being installed.
The sound you thought was water dripping was the oil draining back to the crankcase from the cam & cylinder head.(most likely)
If you drive down the road @30mph, you should not need a fan to be operable, and could likely remove it if all you did was drive, and never sit in traffic.
As noted, the fan clutch is used for the two things mentioned, and a normal fan could be installed if desired, though I would not. FWIW
tom