Correct Odometer Readings?
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: San Diego, Ca
Correct Odometer Readings?
I just bought a 1995 Ford F250 diesel with supposedly 118k miles on it. The odometer only reads 18k miles. My question is are these trucks suppossed to have a 6th digit? If it doesn't is there a way to pull the actual mileage from the computer? Is there anything I could look for that would be telltale that the truck has 218 or 318k miles instead of 118??? Thanks for the help, Peter
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Welcome to FTE first off. I do not understand why the odometer only reads 18K unless it was tampered with or a new one was put in without being reset. These odometers do read the 6th digit. I dont think there is a way to tell as far as asking the computer how many miles on it, but you could look for different signs of wear.
I've always been told to look at the brake pedal and if its worn down, you can safely bet there 100,000 on it. Thats just an estimate of course. Check for rear end slop. Mine has 217,000 on it and you can turn the driveshaft probably about 1/8-1/4 of a way before it will grab. Hope this helps!
I've always been told to look at the brake pedal and if its worn down, you can safely bet there 100,000 on it. Thats just an estimate of course. Check for rear end slop. Mine has 217,000 on it and you can turn the driveshaft probably about 1/8-1/4 of a way before it will grab. Hope this helps!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
I would bet someone replaced the speedo cluster with a new one. They do go bad. The true miles of the vehicle will probably always be a mystery to you, but it sure isn't 18k. Have you check carfax?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
Yeah, someone swapped the cluster for sure. There is no way a 10 y/o diesel truck will have 18K on it.
I'm on my third cluster. The truck has over 350K (not really sure how far over anymore) and the odometer reads 71K and some change.
Once you find out the approximate "real" mileage, your ford dealer can reflash the cluster so that it reads correctly. Of course you'll never have it quite pefect.
That's assuming it matters to you. Mine's way off like I said, and I genuinely don't care. if I ever sell it, I'll give the buyer four shoeboxes of oil change receipts to illustrate the real mileage.
I'm on my third cluster. The truck has over 350K (not really sure how far over anymore) and the odometer reads 71K and some change.
Once you find out the approximate "real" mileage, your ford dealer can reflash the cluster so that it reads correctly. Of course you'll never have it quite pefect.
That's assuming it matters to you. Mine's way off like I said, and I genuinely don't care. if I ever sell it, I'll give the buyer four shoeboxes of oil change receipts to illustrate the real mileage.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24
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From: San Diego, Ca
Thanks a lot for the help guys. The owner said it had 118K miles on it, I just wanted to make sure it was supposed to have the 6th digit. I did the Carfax check and it showed about 96,000 miles on it in early 2002. I am going to take it to a dealer for an inspection this week and maybe see if they can add that 1 on the end. Thanks again - Peter
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
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From: New Jersey
96K by 2002 isn't much at all. Maybe you got lucky and got yourself a low-mileage diesel truck. Know this is rare because of what diesels can pull 
The cluster is supposed to have a 6th digit, maybe something is wrong with the LCD panel that is the odometer... and it's not lighting up.
The cluster is supposed to have a 6th digit, maybe something is wrong with the LCD panel that is the odometer... and it's not lighting up.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 292
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From: Akron, OH
Originally Posted by frederic
The cluster is supposed to have a 6th digit, maybe something is wrong with the LCD panel that is the odometer... and it's not lighting up.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
This reminds me of the truck my dad bought, and then sold instantly. He bought a 94 f-350 dually crew cab with the stroker. 52,000 original miles. Guy sold it to him for $5000 cause he didnt need it to drive to Florida anymore (pulled a camper there and back every winter.) Dad sold it for $11,000 because thats what someone offered him.
Moral of the story, there are a select few low mileage trucks for cheap, you just gotta know the right people.
Moral of the story, there are a select few low mileage trucks for cheap, you just gotta know the right people.
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