I am new. I apologize if this is not the correct place to post this. I am looking at a 1978 F150 Ranger. Below is the text from the ad:

OK....good ol' truck but title i dont have it was stolen right after i bought the truck it would make a good mudder or parts truck...if ya plan to part it just dont tell me...me and this truck had some good times. The engines been acting up a bit thats why i gotta sell her too many projects...It has 235 75 15 all around a matching spare in the back,used to have 32's but will be switching them out today there is a 3 " block in the rear, 351m engine,new starter, new alt, new battery,new starter solenoid, new battery cables,new spark plugs and wires and i replaced the pivots in the rocker arms,and ball joints are less than 3 m old.Over all she just needs a little work.

Does anybody see anything that sticks out as suspicious? What kind of questions should I be asking? I have already confronted him about the title. Any help would be great appreciated! Thanks and again I apologize if this was placed in the wrong area.

 

i think i'd turn around and walk away. should be able to get a duplicate title.

 

Thanks highboy! I have sent him the information to get a new title. I am not sure about other states, but in Missouri the owner HAS to get the title replaced in order to sell the automobile. Hopefully that is in the works now!

 

Welcome to FTE

The missing title, the lousy engine (351M's were very prone to cracking cylinder heads), the sellers claims 'it just needs a litle work' and the supposed parts that were replaced.

Run the VIN thru your local DMV office (call it in using the 800 number, or do it online).

You may be able to get a dup title...if the title has been cleared. If not ... PASS!

If the title is not clear, and you get pulled over by the polizei, you have to prove you did not steal it. Not pleasant!

Without a title there will be no current registration which means the 'late' fees to register it might cost mega-bucks.

Here in CA, a 'well known' FTE member is facing a TWO GRAND registration fee on his '76 F350 S/CS, and it could be more...now, cuz he's procrastinating and the late fees esculate every month.

Do not believe one word a seller claims, as private sellers can lie just as well as used car dealers and lawyers.

And, ask to see the receipts for all the replaced parts. No receipts? PASS!

IMO: Run away! There are too many issues, and other trucks with titles and far less issues can be found. Don't get "buck fever" and buy the first one you see.

 

My question would be, is it running at all? All of those new parts point towards a truck which won't start for some reason, IMO. It could be minor, but odds are if it doesn't start, the seller either doesn't want to dig further, is unable to, or has already identified the problem and knows it's serious.

 

Just tell him to go with you to the dmv or mva or whatever, here in maryland if you go there with $15, they will give you a title on the spot...easy fix...as for the truck, just check it out good, maybe have a freind/garage check it out for you...

 

I think by him saying "don't tell me if you plan to part it. Me and this truck had fond memories" wants the buyer to look past the lost title. Its like he's had it a while and surely he use to have a title. I think the whole thing sounds like a scam! Please walk away a better one will come. I am from Missouri also and I know a lot of them have rust but, be patient.

 

Just curious, unless I missed it somewhere, how much is the person asking for it?

Not that it matters. I'd run away my self, but curious about the asking price.

 

Even if he produces a title chances are the vin he used will be incorrect. I know in Virginia the frame vin is king. I've been burned once on title issues and never again (title I had matched the door only). After that, I always check the frame vin before I buy.

I would just walk away I would run!

 

Wow! Thanks everybody for all the replies. I think I will take your advice on this one. He is asking $600 for it btw.

 

Title issue would bother me. As for the registration late fees, in MN you can just tell them the vehicle was parked/non operational since it was last registered, then, all you pay is for the current years registration, with no fees. The only fee that I've ran into, is if the sale date on the title is from awhile back, in which case MN is about a $7.00 flat fee. When I bought my '76, i think the title was dated about four years prior. Your state could well be different though.

 

Missouri: Show Me state:

Show me the title, show me how the engine runs and show me the recipts for the replaced parts.

If it won't start, it cannot be driven...hiding all sorts of problems.

Who in their right mind would buy something that couldn't be started and driven...unless buying it cheap for parts?

 

Hmm, didn't realize it was a Missouri truck, in that case it may well be worth the $600 in parts value. I've never been through Missouri, but they may be far enough south to not use road salts, which could give it very nice body panels.