My brother is looking at a used 2001 SD. It looks good and apparently has low miles. This is where the problem is, as the mileage seems TOO LOW. I heard something about the mileage being kept in the computer memory. Is this true? If the odometer has been changed, can we get actual mileage elsewhere? Do we need to take it to a dealer to get the actual mileage?

 

what do you consider too low, i have a 2001 with 14,000 miles on it.

 

The odometer shows about 11,000 miles, and the truck was placed into service 10/2000. 2 years and 11,000 miles seems too good to be true. We looked at normal wear signs, like tires and pedal pads. The pedal pads look almost new, but the wheels and tires have been replaced with a larger size. The owner claimed he did this recently due to aesthetics, not wear. Sounds right to me, but still not sure. We would like to be sure of the mileage if there is a way to check. The truck is very clean, but the price reflects the stated low mileage. If he is going to pay extra for a low mile truck, he wants to be sure it is indeed low miles.

 

I'd say go for it. If it is true mileage, any problems would be covered under warranty, and if he has rolled it back you should have proof of sale to determine that he rolled it back and you should be able to get resitution.

Just my$.02

Dave

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Nov-02 AT 09:40 AM (EST)]I've got less than 7000 on my 2001 excursion!

 

mrrottndog,

I envy you. I have 77,000 on mine

 

My 01 is only at about 9000 right now. and will most likely stay under 15000 by this time next year. On are old 91 we only put less than 1000 a year on it.(right now its collecting dust in the back yard)(which reminds me I got to start it up again to run the motor for a while.)

 

when i bought my truck it was an 01 with 17k miles on it, it seemed low and i too wanted to verify it. Some tricks i used...
check the axels, look on the front and back of them and they probably(mine did) still have the production sticker with the ford part #s on them, this shows signs of very little use if those cheap stickers are still there, crawl under there and take a big picture look at all the driveterrain, Youll know if its got low or high miles, dont let the rust on the driveshafts or the differential covers fool you, they rust out in the first 6 months, then go to the engine compartment, check for bolts that show wear of use, just take a big picture of the engine compartement, if it has that low of miles everything will have that part# stickers still on there, they are like white and or yellow stickers with bar codes, made of paper so not meant to last long, Also the transmission lines right behind the radiator from underneath will also have paper stickers on them if they have low miles.

check for all this and it will verify the amount of use this truck has seen
Jetjock16.

 

I have a 2001 with only 1700 miles on it









Ron

2001 SD,SC,Lariat,4X4 Off-Road Pkg, V-10, Toreador Red, Leveling kit, Chrome steps, Tube grille

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 11-Nov-02 AT 11:42 PM (EST)]To all these people with low miles on their awesome rides, I have but one suggestion, expressed in a series of comments:
- Turn your computer & TV off; call in sick @ work
- Pack some bags
- Kidnap a friend (OK, maybe kinapping is a little extreme)
- Go on road trip!!!

These trucks were meant for driving; don't disappoint them! When I got my big bad 2002 F-250, it went for 3 oil changes within the first 2 months. I've had my baby since April, she's already on 23,000 miles, and I have enjoyed every mile so far! (Note to self: don't forget to change the oil & rotate the tires again tomorrow)

To the guy with the mileage issues on the truck he wants to buy, see if you can do some investigative work and find his oil change trail. Ask what kind of oil/filters were used, how often, where the changes were done, etc. just to get him to brag about the great care he took. If it turns out he's been getting them done @ commercial oil change places & not doing them himself, it shouldn't be too hard getting a paper trail. You may have to be somewhat deceptive on the phone when you call the oil change place asking for records (something tells me they won't want to violate his privacy) but I'm sure you can find ways around that. If it turns out he's been changing the oil by himself or was smart about going to several shops, then oh well; I tried. Can't win 'em all.

 

Take the VIN to a Ford dealer and have an OASIS computer check done on it. This will show if its ever been back to Ford and the mileage/date. Ask for the indepth check, as the local dealers only keep a 6-month log, I believe. There is a great big computer (well, maybe its not great big) somewhere that keeps all service done on all Fords at all dealers shops. I have used this check method several times and it kept me from biting on a "great deal" on a Sable.
Also, CarFax is a possible place to catch mileage problems.

 

99 350 V10....4200 miles on it.