Missing VIN plate
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Missing VIN plate
I am shopping around for a tow rig for an RV I don't have yet, and I found a cheap F-250 for sale around the corner from me. As I was looking it over yesterday, I noticed that someone had removed the VIN plate on the dash. There is a space in the dash for it, the windshield border is cut out for it, I can see the rivets that held it in place, but the plate is gone.
Is that weird or what? Why would someone do that? Paranoia? Or trying to cover something up?
BTW, if anyone wants a cheap rust-free F-250 that's been sitting for 7 years, I know where get one.
Is that weird or what? Why would someone do that? Paranoia? Or trying to cover something up?
BTW, if anyone wants a cheap rust-free F-250 that's been sitting for 7 years, I know where get one.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
For some reason the edit function isn't working anymore.... so how long can a vehicle sit before the engine and tranny need to be rebuilt, or at least gone through? I think 7 years is probably pushing it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 0
From: Des Plaines, Illinois
Depends if it was rigged for long term storage. If water got into the engine or trans, I'm sure they're rusted up inside. The fuel is going to be useless and you'll have to drain the tank, if it hasn't rusted out. The brakes will need to be redone and the lines probably all need replaced since brake fluid holds moisture.
Depends how cheap it is, and how much you're willing to do yourself.
The VIN plate bugs me...do these year trucks still have the VIN stamped on the frame? If so, you could match that against the title...unless that doesn't exist either. No VIN and it's just a parts truck.
Depends how cheap it is, and how much you're willing to do yourself.
The VIN plate bugs me...do these year trucks still have the VIN stamped on the frame? If so, you could match that against the title...unless that doesn't exist either. No VIN and it's just a parts truck.
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
It was parked in the driveway and literally not moved since 2002. The owner told me that was 4 years ago, but the tags say 2002 on them. I don't mind doing all the work on it, but I wouldn't want to get into rebuilding the engine or tranny. It never snows here, but it rains quite a bit in the winter. I doubt water got inside either, but who knows what running shape it was in when he parked it. The body is very solid except for some light surface rust on the driver's a-pillar.
The VIN plate bothers me too. I could get the truck for about $500 I'd guess. He said he's going to donate it if no one buys it.
The VIN plate bothers me too. I could get the truck for about $500 I'd guess. He said he's going to donate it if no one buys it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 0
From: Des Plaines, Illinois
Well, condensation is the fear in the engine. If it hasn't been run, there probably wasn't any oil on the cylinder walls or valvetrain. There's a chance that the pistons are rusted to the walls.
Only way to find out would be to try and turn the engine with a breaker bar. If you can turn it over, it's not all rusted up. Change the fluids, nab a battery and you may be in shape. Of course you'd want to change te trans filter and fluid while you're at it.
The brakes will probably be frozen up and the lines are probably rusting from the inside. The brakes will need work. As long as you know that, and the engine seems ok, you've got a pretty good idea what's up.
Of course you have things like rotted tires, things living in the heater ducting and so on...
If you can track down a VIN and the engine turns, 500 bucks would be a good deal.
Only way to find out would be to try and turn the engine with a breaker bar. If you can turn it over, it's not all rusted up. Change the fluids, nab a battery and you may be in shape. Of course you'd want to change te trans filter and fluid while you're at it.
The brakes will probably be frozen up and the lines are probably rusting from the inside. The brakes will need work. As long as you know that, and the engine seems ok, you've got a pretty good idea what's up.
Of course you have things like rotted tires, things living in the heater ducting and so on...
If you can track down a VIN and the engine turns, 500 bucks would be a good deal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 2
From: Cottage Grove, WI
My 89 sat for 5 years before i bought it. ex's dad bought a new chevy diesel in 2000, and parked this truck behind the barn at the edge of his fields. Said he used it once "couple years ago" when i asked about it. Got a good batt in it, and she started right up. Made some bad noises until everything got relubed, but its almost 4 years later and im still on the original drivetrain. Heres what she looked like shortly after i got her home: 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
allfiller08
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 11, 2010 09:30 PM
Philo Beddoe
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
28
May 14, 2010 08:06 PM
