Hey guys! Im looking at a new (to me) truck. Its either a 96 or 97 F350 powerstroke. The motor has 277K on it. That doesnt really bother me that much but it was used as a work truck and it is on its second transmission. They just put a new one from ford in last year. Another thing is the trucks vin number is for a 2wd f250 or f350. The guy bought it with no motor or tranny and put his motor and tranny in and switched in all the 4x4 stuff. My question is how do I go about switching all of that stuff around so I have it titled and insured as a 4x4? I dont particularly care but my parents are freaking out in the event that I wreck and its insured as a 2wd and its really 4wd! Wont look very good on me. So how do you go about doing that? The only other problem is the transmission does not want to shift when you take off and put your foot to the floor. He said you have to let out of the gas for it to shift. What would that be? He said they tried replacing the speed sensor or something on the rear end but that wasnt it. He said it shifts fine unless you have your foot to the floor so I dont guess its really hurting anything!

What is your alls opinion on it? hes asking 6000 but he said he would take 5500. Its a regular cab, lifted probably about 4" with close to brand new 35" bfg a/t ko's on it. Body wise is great. Its never had any chips or modifcations done to it. Hes reaplced the alternator, starter, and flowplugs about 5 years ago he said. It hadnt been started in about two weeks and he turned it on for me today and it started right up. So what do you guys think? My only real concern is the tranny problem and the vin number problem. 277k isnt too bad for one of these trucks with a new tranny is it? The guy is family to a very close friend of mine so I feel they are being honest about everything. They are pretty well off so I know they have kept up on regular maintanence as well. The thing I like the most about it is, it gets 18mpg! I get 11 with my stock size turd f150 lol.

So what do you guys think? good or bad?

 

It is highly illegal to switch vin numbers from one vehicle to another. The only way you could title and insure it as a 4x4, you would have to swap the whole cab from a 4x4 truck and have the title to that cab.

 

Bill, sounds like the po just put engine, tranny and transfer case into existing truck. That would be the same as if I changed my 2 wd to a 4x4. Same body and all just a 4x4. My vin number would still reflect a 2 wd vehicle. I do not think that would be illegal. Just my thoughts.

 

Leave the vin and title as it is.

 

It does not matter 4 or 2.that is malarky..vin is not changeable like bill said.that is its identity..plenty of ford vans had 4wd conversions when new...none of them had any problems i am willing to bet ...what about the early trucks before factory 4wd...again...not any big deal....
if it is what you want and it drives good then go for it.i just hope whom ever added the 4wd did a good job.only you can see that.we are not much help there

 

What about his tranny question?

 

I know where we live, a letter or "affidavit" from someone, ( a mechanic in the presence of a justice of the peace etc,) who swears that it is now a 4x4 will suffice.
Our ownerships indicate , how many axles are on the truck,
a two wheel drive would be (2)
a four wheel would be (4)
A simple change of the axle numbers is all thats needed, the vin would remain the same.

 

You're right, that's not illegal, I was just assuming his question was how to switch the vin to get it titled as a 4x4, but I may have misunderstood what he was asking.

I think this is more what he needed to know, good info

 

My advice would be to check with your county clerks office where you get your vehicle title or call the state office. Each state has different laws regarding titles.

Also, a simpler solution would be to ask your insurance company to insure it as a 4x4 and have them take pictures. When I get vehicles insured and its over 10 years old, my insurance company requires pictures to be taken. I have Farm Bureau insurance.