Reconstructed Title - Diesel Forum

Slackjaw · 03-25-2008, 11:26 AM

I'm looking for a '99 F250/350 and came across one in excellent mechanical condition. It runs good/looks good but has a reconstructed title, which means it has been wrecked

.

Any advice? I figured I'd run a carfax report on it and check out the VIN #; the dealer won't let me run the VIN there since I don't own it. Do you guys think I should take it to Ford and have them look at the truck, concerning the cab/part that was damaged? Guy selling it says that the body shop who did the work purchased it and said the frame was straight and it only need body parts replaced. Will that be confirmed on carfax? Is a carfax report worth the $30?

Thanks,

Slackjaw

DaveV10 · 03-26-2008, 12:37 AM

If the same person has been driving it for a few years then it is probably ok or they would have sold it long ago. Look for the obvious things like, even tire wear, wind noise, steering straight, so on. The price should be a few grand less than the same truck with a good title. I wouldn't worry about the carfax report, it only matters how it looks and drives if you like the truck and the price is right.

Slackjaw · 03-26-2008, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the reply. Most everything checks out on it mechanically. Sounds excellent, exhaust is tight, brakes seem fine. The tranny was rebuilt and upgraded at 80K-which is why I'm in the market for a truck!

The seller has owned it 6 years (first owner after the reconstructed title) and just recently bought an '08 Powerstroke.

The only wind noise I hear is from the driver's door/window area. I am not sure if its accident related or not. He said it was rolled on the passenger's side. That's why I'm going to get the VIN and run a VIN check, or I guess its called an Oasis report or something.

I'm lookin' at getting it for about $6,000 +/-. Up here (Anchorage, AK) a comparable '99 V10 w/80k-100K work truck (plain jane) is about $9000-10,500. This truck does have options and amenities. My impression is that he's already scared (sic?) off a few buyers with the reconstructed title, most banks won't finance it.

Slackjaw

CarfaxDiane · 03-26-2008, 03:10 PM

Hi there. It is a good idea to get a vehicle history report. Better yet, have a 3rd party body shop inspect the frame. This way you will know for certain that the vehicle was properly repaired.

Good luck!

Slackjaw · 03-26-2008, 08:22 PM

CFD,
I've been calling around trying to find a shop that will put it on their rack and confirm that it has a straight frame and nobody will do it. The first place I called didn't have a rack, the #2-3 shops I called said they didn't have time to do it and wished me luck.

I'm not sure what to do now. I guess I could drive it again and have my buddy follow me and see if the truck is diagonal in relation to the road. It didn't feel funny at all driving it; it steered straight-hands off, and handled well.

Guess I'll call the local Ford dealer and see what they say.

Slackjaw