Odometer Rollback
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 270
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From: N Richland Hills, TX
Odometer Rollback
Is there anybody out there that can roll back my odometer to all zero's? Is it something that I could do? My '65 F100 CC will be all new or rebuilt and I want to "start over" on the miles. The title shows that the mileage is "unknown" so there will be no fraud involved...I am not selling it anyway. Any ideas?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Odometer Rollback
Your best bet would be to run it forward at 80 mph.
You would add 1920 miles per day.
A drill with a trigger lock and variable speed switch would be great for this. Don't max out the speedo or you might damage it.
You would add 1920 miles per day.
A drill with a trigger lock and variable speed switch would be great for this. Don't max out the speedo or you might damage it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Odometer Rollback
Andy, I disagree, it is not illegal to reset an odometer, as long as you disclose that it has been done. Rolling one back to show less miles for a sale without disclosure is the real sticky point, and that is illegal.
shake, I did the reset on my 66, new engine, tranny, pdb on the front and shoes on the rear, figgered everything was new so the speedo should show it.
If you take the wheel out you can reset it in your hands. Be careful that it doesn't come apart and parts go flying. I had my son do mine, so I can't tell you exactly how he did it. goo dluck
shake, I did the reset on my 66, new engine, tranny, pdb on the front and shoes on the rear, figgered everything was new so the speedo should show it.
If you take the wheel out you can reset it in your hands. Be careful that it doesn't come apart and parts go flying. I had my son do mine, so I can't tell you exactly how he did it. goo dluck
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 1
From: Conway Arkansas
Odometer Rollback
I still disagree. It is illegal.
Only way you can legally do it is have a full frame off restoration and replace everything. (excluding sheetmetal and frame) but you have to do bushings, etc.
Ive talked to the DMV about it. You can do it and it basically gives you a "new" on title. Im not saying I havent done it, just saying its illegal :P
Only way you can legally do it is have a full frame off restoration and replace everything. (excluding sheetmetal and frame) but you have to do bushings, etc.
Ive talked to the DMV about it. You can do it and it basically gives you a "new" on title. Im not saying I havent done it, just saying its illegal :P
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 2
From: Elizabethtown, PA
Odometer Rollback
It's not illegal.
Fraud only occurs when you present something as something it is not. If you disclose to a subsequent buyer that the odometer is not the correct mileage, you are fine.
Most states require you to sign an odometer statement when selling a vehicle. If you don't fib on the form, you are in the clear regardless of what the odo says.
But beyond that...most states also exempt vehicles as old as our trucks from 'odometer accuracy'. My state's titles will read 'exempt' after so many years of age, as they figure a) at this point the odo is no longer reliable and b) when a car is of age, mileage generally does little to affect resale value.
Finally, we also have 'mileage exceeds mechanical limits', meaning the odo doesn't have enough digits to show the actual mileage.
Reset it. You're fine. I speedo shop can do it for you if it looks to complex.
Fraud only occurs when you present something as something it is not. If you disclose to a subsequent buyer that the odometer is not the correct mileage, you are fine.
Most states require you to sign an odometer statement when selling a vehicle. If you don't fib on the form, you are in the clear regardless of what the odo says.
But beyond that...most states also exempt vehicles as old as our trucks from 'odometer accuracy'. My state's titles will read 'exempt' after so many years of age, as they figure a) at this point the odo is no longer reliable and b) when a car is of age, mileage generally does little to affect resale value.
Finally, we also have 'mileage exceeds mechanical limits', meaning the odo doesn't have enough digits to show the actual mileage.
Reset it. You're fine. I speedo shop can do it for you if it looks to complex.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
Odometer Rollback
for those who didn't do their homework and feel they knew the answer here is the federal statute:
"individuals who knowingly and willfully cause a vehicle's odometer to be rolled back on or after July 5, 1994, should be charged as violating 49 U.S.C. §§ 32703(2), 32709(b), and not 15 U.S.C. §§ 1984, 1990c. Violation of these provisions remains a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to three years per violation, as well as by a fine of up to $250,000 per violation "
so the correct answer is: yes it is illegal to tamper with an odometer. you can replace one with another new or used one as long as you report that the mileage is inaccurate but it is a federal felony to change the mileage on one except in the case of matching the miles on a replacement unit so that it reflects the actual true miles. so if you get caught the correct answer would be "no, i didn't reset it i bought an NOS one showing zero miles" LOL hawkrod
"individuals who knowingly and willfully cause a vehicle's odometer to be rolled back on or after July 5, 1994, should be charged as violating 49 U.S.C. §§ 32703(2), 32709(b), and not 15 U.S.C. §§ 1984, 1990c. Violation of these provisions remains a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to three years per violation, as well as by a fine of up to $250,000 per violation "
so the correct answer is: yes it is illegal to tamper with an odometer. you can replace one with another new or used one as long as you report that the mileage is inaccurate but it is a federal felony to change the mileage on one except in the case of matching the miles on a replacement unit so that it reflects the actual true miles. so if you get caught the correct answer would be "no, i didn't reset it i bought an NOS one showing zero miles" LOL hawkrod
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
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From: Conway Arkansas
Odometer Rollback
Thanks Hawkrod.
That's what I was trying to say.
I wasn't saying it hasn't been done, or that I haven't done it.
I was just saying that it's illegal.
That's what I was trying to say.
I wasn't saying it hasn't been done, or that I haven't done it.
I was just saying that it's illegal.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
Likes: 3
From: Winchendon MA
Odometer Rollback
His in the clear as in his original post he stated that his title said mileage unknown, there for it is already been reported.
For what it's worth one of my cars had the OD fail (very common for this car a 944) I sent it out and had the guy put on the miles i drove while is was not working. Theres a sticker on the back side of the unit with date and received mileage and returned mileage on the sticker.
44
For what it's worth one of my cars had the OD fail (very common for this car a 944) I sent it out and had the guy put on the miles i drove while is was not working. Theres a sticker on the back side of the unit with date and received mileage and returned mileage on the sticker.
44
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
Odometer Rollback
okay, let me get this right, its okay to violate a federal law because you say so? LOL, just because his odometer is already incorrect does not change the federal law that makes it a felony to change an odometer. hawkrod
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 2
From: Texas
Odometer Rollback
I think we all agree that it is illegal to rollback an odometer, but what some are trying to say is, If I never intend to sell, it is alright to do it for my benefit only. Since it is exempt from milage disclosure on the title, what would it hurt anyway.
So lets agree to diagree that it is illegal and we won't do it but if we do, we will use a drill to go forward and not bacwards. The truck will have zero miles on it, but the odometer will now say 300,000 and not 235,856.
So lets agree to diagree that it is illegal and we won't do it but if we do, we will use a drill to go forward and not bacwards. The truck will have zero miles on it, but the odometer will now say 300,000 and not 235,856.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley CA USA
Odometer Rollback
i fully understand what is being said, but the way it is said is the root of the issue now. while many people do change the mileage, and despite the fact mileage is already stated to be unknown or incorrect, it is still illegal by federal law to change the reading on an odometer even if there is no intent to sell or defraud. the law only specifies changing the reading of the odometer is illegal not that you need to defraud somebody by selling the vehicle. i am just trying to make it clear that the law is there whether we like it or not. i already gave you my take on it, "i found an NOS speedo and put it in". hawkrod
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 1
From: Conway Arkansas
Odometer Rollback
Yes, it still illegal.
And its still illegal even if it is to "benefit just yourself"
Do as you wish, but it still is illegal. lol
No hard feelings, just saying its illegal and hope you dont get caught. (slim chance I might ad)
And its still illegal even if it is to "benefit just yourself"
Do as you wish, but it still is illegal. lol
No hard feelings, just saying its illegal and hope you dont get caught. (slim chance I might ad)
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 589
Likes: 2
From: Crossroads of America-Ind
Odometer Rollback
If you decide to clean and inspect your old crusty speedometer, it is very easy to work on. If by chance you would drop the odometer and all the numbers get jumbled up, it's very easy to set it back to where you "need" it to be. Once taken apart the method becomes apparent. Good luck.................