Gen 1 - Which piece of mind outweighs the other?

[TannerK17]

Hey, guys! I was leaning in the Gen 1 direction for the last year or so after deciding to get rid of my diesel. After making the 100% decision on a Gen 1 following my Gen 1 vs 2 thread a few months ago, I’ve been searching the nation essentially online looking for the right one.

It just so happens my parents neighbor with a 2014 Ruby Red SE is getting ready to go with a new Gen 2 as he preps for retirement. He knew I was in the market, I went over and took a look a few weeks ago. He knew he had me by the look on my face and then decided to really change my life and let me test drive it. Lol. I can’t stop thinking about it. The truck is basically immaculate; 1 owner, completely stock suspension and body, off-road 1 time ever, all services and maintenance done by a local dealer in Las Vegas, extended warranty from the day he bought it with any issues fixed right away and there isn’t a thing wrong with it as it sits today. It’s been dyno tuned by a local shop, a Roush cat back and intake are the only other engine mods.

Here’s my only slight hang up with it... It has 117K on it and he’s a little high on the price at $35K. I think I can get him down to a fair price ($29.5K would be my offer, let me know if I’m off base and low balling) but the mileage makes me think twice. I know there’s trucks out there for the same price or a little more with one-third less to half the miles on them and I’m not afraid to travel and spend a little more on the right one by any means. However; will those trucks be as clean and well kept?

To sum it up, here’s my thoughts. Feel free to straighten me out!

1) With it being tuned, should I be concerned about the miles? Even though I know the owner, it’s maintenance history and it has a good tune that runs well, should this be enough to turn me away? A stock 6.2, I probably wouldn’t be so worried knowing it’s history the way I do.

2) In a nutshell; should I decide that the miles even with the tune isn’t enough to scare me away, does the piece of mind of knowing the trucks history and owner as well as I do outweigh the ‘risk’ of going out and buying a truck with half the miles or less? I know how these trucks are ran by some guys and at the end of the day it’s Raptor. That’s what it’s built for. But this one is a known Southern Nevada street queen that gets detailed weekly and runs super solid and tight.


Now keep in mind, I’ll go just about anywhere for the right one and I’m not afraid to spend $40 to $45K on a truck with 40,000 miles. This is including the mid-west or back East where the have real winter and rust truly concerns me as well. This will be a long term vehicle, though I do have a company truck so it won’t be driven daily either.

I know it may seem a little ridiculous, but I feel it’s a legitimate question and something that has traction either way. Someone talk some sense into me either way!

Thanks guys!

 

[B E N]

The tune isn't a real concern. Most of what is in a tune on an unmodified truck is just removing the power enrichment delay, removing the throttle limitation vs rpm and sometimes adjusting timing. There may be some shift adjustments, but a firmer shift probably increases trans life. None of this has a huge impact on longevity unless it's been driven hard constantly, and that's hard enough on a truck that you wouldn't want it anyway.

Is ruby red the color you really want? That seems like the make or break on the whole deal, if you don't care much about the color or want another one just pass on it, his price is high. There is no way he is getting that on a trade, and I certainly wouldn't pay that much private party... that above dealer asking price IMO. With whats happening with unemployment and the economy these trucks might be hard to offload for a while, though that's just speculation, maybe wait and see. You have already held out for a year, another month can't do any harm.

Do you know if and when the shocks have been rebuilt or replaced? They are a 50k item, max. I would plan on budgeting to do them as soon as you take posession of the truck (your looking at $1k-1500 depending on options and if you install them, more for 3.0's). Since this is a "friend of a friend" type deal I would see if you can take it for an inspection by yourself or whomever your mechanic is. They need to get it up in the air and go through the front end really well. That much mileage I would be intent on checking over all the moving parts and bushings in the front suspension, and bushing in the rear and at the cab/chassis mounts. Also make sure the power steering is completely sound, it's a known weakness in these trucks.

Other than that the mileage isn't scary, the powertrain on these trucks is as robust as they come. If the interior is good (verify that seat heater and cooler works) and your happy with the options there is no real reason to pass on the truck.

 

[TannerK17]

The tune isn't a real concern. Most of what is in a tune on an unmodified truck is just removing the power enrichment delay, removing the throttle limitation vs rpm and sometimes adjusting timing. There may be some shift adjustments, but a firmer shift probably increases trans life. None of this has a huge impact on longevity unless it's been driven hard constantly, and that's hard enough on a truck that you wouldn't want it anyway.

Is ruby red the color you really want? That seems like the make or break on the whole deal, if you don't care much about the color or want another one just pass on it, his price is high. There is no way he is getting that on a trade, and I certainly wouldn't pay that much private party... that above dealer asking price IMO. With whats happening with unemployment and the economy these trucks might be hard to offload for a while, though that's just speculation, maybe wait and see. You have already held out for a year, another month can't do any harm.

Do you know if and when the shocks have been rebuilt or replaced? They are a 50k item, max. I would plan on budgeting to do them as soon as you take posession of the truck (your looking at $1k-1500 depending on options and if you install them, more for 3.0's). Since this is a "friend of a friend" type deal I would see if you can take it for an inspection by yourself or whomever your mechanic is. They need to get it up in the air and go through the front end really well. That much mileage I would be intent on checking over all the moving parts and bushings in the front suspension, and bushing in the rear and at the cab/chassis mounts. Also make sure the power steering is completely sound, it's a known weakness in these trucks.

Other than that the mileage isn't scary, the powertrain on these trucks is as robust as they come. If the interior is good (verify that seat heater and cooler works) and your happy with the options there is no real reason to pass on the truck.

Thanks for the response, Ben!

I guess you’re right on the tune aspect. I’ve had tuned trucks before, but always been the guy that loads them and gets familiar with it, so maybe that’s what brings the question up. I know the 6.2 and power train is solid from the forum, the amount trucks on the road with this engine and first hand experience working out of a super duty with one before.

As far as color, my 2015 F-150 was ruby red. I hunt 3-4 months out of the year on and off. This truck will absolutely be in thick trees and high desert and rural highways more than anything pretty much. With that said, it was impossible to keep clean or keep the scratches from showing and ultimately getting super dull. In all honesty because of what my trucks are used for and because I do get them buffed and polished once a year to get them removed I can deal with it, but it is inherently more difficult to keep that color in good shape for what I do. Terrain is my top pick, followed by white.

Mechanically, the truck seems sound. I would absolutely have it put on a lift prior to purchase. I asked him about shocks the first day I looked at it and he said he “Had them looked at, but not rebuilt”. Which isn’t clear at all. That said, 3.0’s would be on my list and probably the first mod I’d do regardless of which truck I buy. Interior had no problems to speak out besides some cosmetic items.

As far as his claims on trade goes, he claims he can get $32K on trade from our local dealer, which I’m sure if they over allow a decent amount on the trade and with the tax credit in Nevada they can get somewhat close to that.

Either way, the more I think about it, unless he made me a deal I couldn’t refuse then I don’t think it’s the one for me. I’m definitely playing the waiting game at the moment due to everything going on. As much as I feel comfortable with this truck and the situation, I feel like I could wait this out 1-5 months, go out of state and find the one I really want. Time will tell!

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Truck is worth $32k, all day long.

 

[tales_from_the_crimp]

I’m selling my 2013 silver super cab with 65k miles as of today. Completely stock,

Just replaced the front rotors and pads, axles, hubs, tie rods, vacuum lines. Tires have about 50% life life maybe more. They’re Falken Wildpeak AT3’s.

I replaced the rear shocks 6 months ago with brand new Fox’s and replaced the fronts with rebuilt ones.


I’m looking to get 38k for it. A proper for sale thread will be coming later today

 

[TannerK17]

Truck is worth $32k, all day long.

I agree with you. Mid-range KBB in the shape it’s in is $29.5K for private party which is where my number came from. Then again I see the same truck at dealers all over the place between $31-$34,000 with 80-120K miles and depending on a few things. With that said, I think he can get it on trade with the numbers moved correctly and he’s loyal to that dealer which I think helps in his case. Also these trucks (Any truck for that case) bring a premium in Las Vegas it seems which is why I shop a little more.

 

[TannerK17]

I’m selling my 2013 silver super cab with 65k miles as of today. Completely stock,

Just replaced the front rotors and pads, axles, hubs, tie rods, vacuum lines. Tires have about 50% life life maybe more. They’re Falken Wildpeak AT3’s.

I replaced the rear shocks 6 months ago with brand new Fox’s and replaced the fronts with rebuilt ones.


I’m looking to get 38k for it. A proper for sale thread will be coming later today

patiently waiting for the proper sale thread.

 

[tales_from_the_crimp]

patiently waiting for the proper sale thread.

just posted

 

[_veloci_]

Turbos are the way to go in the high elevations in my book. Post pics when you get your new ride!

 

[TannerK17]

None yet! I just sold my 6.7 F-350 on Friday, so now I’m getting somewhat more serious. I think I’m going to pass on this Gen 1 though. For what my long term idea is with the next truck I buy, I think I’d like something with less mileage and if I’ve waited this long for the perfect one, I may as well wait a little longer and find the exact spec’d and color truck I want rather than settle again.

That said, it is a solid truck and it is a street queen. Before he trades it in I may have him post it here just to see if it gets any love!