1986 odometer reading
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 166
Likes: 7
From: Kansas
1986 odometer reading
I have an opportunity tomorrow to buy a very nice 1986 F250 4x4 that is in good condition. It has no rust and the body seems to be in good shape, no dents or dings. Motor looks good, carpet in good condition. Everything looks really good on this truck but my concern is the mileage. The dealer says it has 81k original mileage but the Carfax says that the odometer may not be original mileage. It shows the history of the truck but there's a huge gap between around 2001-2015 with no history. I don't think there is a 100% sure fire way to find the true mileage. I did read that vehicles after 10 years old doesn't have to claim accurate mileage. One of the owners of the truck filed for a "Not original mileage" title for the truck. So, my question is would you roll the dice and get this truck or pass on it? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
It really doesn't matter too much with the mileage. Its an old truck. If it has 181,000 and has been taken care of and parts have been replaced along the way, it will be a good truck that will have problems once in awhile. If it is a truck that has sat around all it's life in a garage, and only has 81k miles on it, it will still have problems, more than likely more problems than the 181k truck that was taken care of.
Age makes seals and gaskets hard with age. So the 81k truck is still going to have oil leaks, coolant leaks, sticking brakes, etc. If it has no rust, that is the biggest thing to look for.
Age makes seals and gaskets hard with age. So the 81k truck is still going to have oil leaks, coolant leaks, sticking brakes, etc. If it has no rust, that is the biggest thing to look for.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 4,106
From: Angier, NC
I dont really go by mileage as a end all be all but if the truck looks clean on the outside, motor looks clean outside and in, oil & coolant clean? then I go by the price.
Do I feel the truck that I am looking at is worth the money they are asking to me?
My truck I feel I paid $300 to much but for $800 for a flare side you know you are not getting truck with out some problems.
I was hoping to drive it home but after a vary short test drive I saw that was not going to happen if I bought it.
Lets just say when I did get it home on a trailer and started looking it over better it was best to do a full cab off frame rebuild.
Again a $800 truck so what are you going to get.
So only you can answer for the money is it worth it?
Dave ----
Do I feel the truck that I am looking at is worth the money they are asking to me?
My truck I feel I paid $300 to much but for $800 for a flare side you know you are not getting truck with out some problems.
I was hoping to drive it home but after a vary short test drive I saw that was not going to happen if I bought it.
Lets just say when I did get it home on a trailer and started looking it over better it was best to do a full cab off frame rebuild.
Again a $800 truck so what are you going to get.
So only you can answer for the money is it worth it?
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 166
Likes: 7
From: Kansas
Thanks guys, appreciate it. If I get this, it will be my daily driver. I'm trading my 2011 Chevy for it--it's a rust bucket! I'll never buy another Chevy again...unless it's 1972 and older
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 416
Likes: 44
From: Edmonton
I have an 82 with "42k km" on it as it wraps at the 6th digit, my guestimate is 142k km because the drivetrain is in way to good a condition for 242k km but the body needed way more work than 42k could explain.
Just have a look at the trasnmission, drive shaft and rear diff, if they're in good shape you're probably fine.
Just have a look at the trasnmission, drive shaft and rear diff, if they're in good shape you're probably fine.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 4,106
From: Angier, NC
You know I dont know how many miles are on my truck as the speedo did not work when I got it on the road, the motor was from something else as the new truck head pipe did not fit the EXH manifold but it had to be many as the T18 that was in the truck was trashed pretty good to the point I replaced it with a NP435.
I did not rebuild the motor, just a compression test when I first got it and a set of plugs that took care of the miss it had during the road test, or the rear axle.
I just came back from a 60 mile round trip to a cruise in that was either canceled or later in the day?
But that would be short for when I take the truck to work as it is 40 miles 1 way and will do that for a week. If my math is right that is 400 miles in 5 days.
2 weeks ago I went to a show 50 miles 1 way and I would drive it anywhere as I trust it.
My other driver is a 02 Dodge Durango with 265K on the clock I bought new. I would drive it anywhere also. During the summer took it to Disney for a wedding from Raleigh NC
So as long as they are taken care of, service records help here, the miles dont bother me.
Dave ----
I did not rebuild the motor, just a compression test when I first got it and a set of plugs that took care of the miss it had during the road test, or the rear axle.
I just came back from a 60 mile round trip to a cruise in that was either canceled or later in the day?
But that would be short for when I take the truck to work as it is 40 miles 1 way and will do that for a week. If my math is right that is 400 miles in 5 days.
2 weeks ago I went to a show 50 miles 1 way and I would drive it anywhere as I trust it.
My other driver is a 02 Dodge Durango with 265K on the clock I bought new. I would drive it anywhere also. During the summer took it to Disney for a wedding from Raleigh NC
So as long as they are taken care of, service records help here, the miles dont bother me.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
That could be a plan with merit. Have a somewhat newer vehicle that you can't work on yourself and have to pay a shop to work on it all the time with scan tools. Or get a older truck like this that you can work on yourself and spend the money on parts instead of paying a shop.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
PS: If anybody in the US wants a 6 digit odometer, you can swap in a speedometer from a medium duty truck. Just adjust it to your current mileage, and then it'll be accurate. They're usually pretty cheap at the junkyard if you can find one that has the bigger trucks.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/14449670112...Bk9SR9KJ7LP8YA
https://www.ebay.com/itm/14449670112...Bk9SR9KJ7LP8YA
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 24
From: Middle TN
Like has been said, without any kind of verifiable documentation, it's a guess at best on vehicles this old. Go by overall condition and expect to have to throw some money at it from time to time as old stuff breaks. My '85 shows just over 26K on the odo, and given the spectacular condition of the original interior (next to no wear on the seats, carpet is excellent, etc.) my gut tells me that there should only be a "1" in front of that 26 as opposed to a "2" or "3". All that said, assuming that 126K is correct, it still needs tending to more often than my DD simply because it's 37+ years old. I could use it as a daily in a pinch (I always have a backup vehicle because I drive older stuff), but for me it's not practical or economical.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 529
Likes: 54
From: Houston
Compression test and a borescope will tell you a ton about the engine. Good compression is obvious The borescope should show cylinder condition and may tell how many times it has been rebuilt by the oversize stamped into the pistons.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 4,106
From: Angier, NC
Just like high miles and no ware on pad could be all high way driving. Or low miles and no pad ware could high way used a few times a year over its life.
My 02 DD has 256k on the clock and no pad ware. Most of that is high way pulling a car trailer.
And for a 20 year old truck is in pretty good shape.
So you need to check everything and judge from there if it is worth the asking price to you?
Dave ----
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1,167
Some used car dealers will replace a worn brake pedal pad, so it's not always a valid indicator of overall condition. If metal underneath the pad is showing, it's one of the little things that stand out. It's not necessarily unscrupulous, but if the pad looks brand new, I'd be suspicious.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
midwestbird
Missouri Chapter
1
Apr 11, 2019 01:14 AM