I'm about to finalize a purchase on a `90 F150 Lariat extended cab with the 5.0 302 in it.

Problem is, the 5 digit odom. The guy is telling me it has 128k on it (only 28k showing). The guy seems stand up and told me the truck was used for his lawn care business and he had it since it said 84k.

I know I could get a carfax or carchex report but with that being close to 40 bucks and the truck worth a grand it would be a last option.

Is there specific things to look for to gauge the amount of miles. I suppose the difference between 228k and 128k is substantial. The frame is strait and it has rear overload bags and a class 3 tow hitch. Interior is as dirty as it was used by working men.

Is there any free reporting agency like the stae dmv I can get the history or mileage history?

 

so he put 44k on it, but how many years did he own it? that's the best indicator. Major repairs can be another...has the engine, tranny, or transfer case been rebuilt? Mileage is part of inspection in most states the mechanic records it. Look at the inspection sticker, it should have last years mileage written on it.

 

Check the steering wheel, floor mats and the pedal. The gas pedal should be the indicator as it is difficult to replace the pad. Time behind the wheel will wear out the pedal and floor mat or carpet. The seat is another indicator, but that is usually for getting in or out of the truck. The steering wheel should not have any worn spots on it for 128K miles, though it will be worn a little. Any obvious wear spots on the steering wheel indicate major mileage.

 

The thing is 20 years old, you're going to have some kind of problems with it. 128k or 228k a running and driving truck is worth near $1000, especially if it's nice. If it only has a 5 digit odometer (which it does) they don't record mileage after 99,999.

 

I bit the bullet and got the carfax report.

1st owner bought it from the dealership and used it until 1999 and put 58k on it.

The second owner had it until 2007 and when it was re titled it was reported with 79k and carfax reports (EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS) Which means it rolled over, but someone told me this isn't always true.

Can anyone elaborate on that?

The 3rd owner is the one i'm buying from and the truck is sitting in a storage yard being mostly unused except for hauling campers or trash to the dump.

I'm not super mechanically incline but the engine looks to clean to be 20 years old and I suspect it's been worked on. The rims and tires look to be worth $400 alone and I'm guessing the overload airbags in the rear for towing are worth a good bit.

The bad: It has a inch to inch and a half crack in the driver side header. The crack is right at the beginning not really on one of the pipes.

Possibly temp fixes for this?
I would love to avoid having to take them out atm. But if it's a necessary fix let me know.

I have the resources to do the following,

JB Weld
Mig Weld


Thanks!

 

Around here anything over 10 years old is marked "odometer exempt". It doesn't matter if it has 50k original miles or whatever. I guess they believe anything that old isn't worth recording the mileage. It has already lasted past its intended lifespan if it's over 100k.

Weld the header, MIG not JB.