Build date and time on lot….?

[Fmoser]

How can I find the build date and how long it’s been on the lot? One of the places I looked, the original salesman said it was on the lot for over 120 days, this was a month ago. I went in again yesterday and the current salesman said it was only about 45 days. The vin matches so it’s not a different one. What should I look out for on early build v recent ones? I noticed this has a regular ford key and not the one with VT on the back. I’m jumping ship from an eternity with Jeep so I don’t squat about what I’m getting into ! I just know that when I drove it, I liked it!

 

[KCM]

When you open the driver's door you will find the label with the VIN and codes. At the top will be a month and year, MM/YY. This would be when it was built. On the bottom of the window sticker there will also be a month, day, and year. Not sure if it will 100% match the label, but should be very close. I believe the date on the window sticker is when the vehicle was put into Ford's system to schedule for production, but maybe somebody can verify that.

As for how long it was on the lot, I believe only the dealer knows. When I bought my car, I know the car was built months before the dealer got it into stock. I guess it would depend if the dealer special ordered it or received it from Ford stock. I would think for most cases the dealer would have received it not long after the build date.

I'm curious about the key fob not having "ST" on it. Wonder if Ford quit doing that.

 

[DaHuntah]

I'm curious about the key fob not having "ST" on it. Wonder if Ford quit doing that.

It is probably an aftermarket. They gave me two keys with mine and the second one doen't have ST on the back.

 

[Fmoser]

I went to two different dealers to check vehicles, neither place had ST logo on the key. Not that it’s important, just a detail I picked up on. And the one with the sun/sound package had a manual controlled steering column while the one without had a power column.
Attached pic- 11/21/24 is the date?

 

[KCM]

You are correct. Probably not the exact build date, but can be used to tell if one vehicle is newer than the other. I wonder if Ford deleted the power adjust steering column for Job 2 since you said the one with the Sun and Sound Package does not have it. Have yet to come across an updated dealer order guide for Job 2. I bet they deleted the ST logo on the key fob for 2025. Do they have the FORD logo? Maybe some 2025 owners can verify.

 

[Fmoser]

Thanks. Appreciate the replies.
I recall reading about a job 1 v job 2. I didn’t think anything of it when I read it, wasn’t sure what it ment. Is there any significance?

 

[KCM]

From what I understand it is a point in production where changes are made, many times half-way through the year's production. These usually include adding or deleting options and features, changing the way options are packaged, trim changes, and price changes. I suppose it could also be minor mechanical changes too. Adding the Sun and Sound Package and the deletion of the power adjust steering column would be examples. Depending on what changes from Job 1 to Job 2, it could be a good thing or a bad thing.

When my dad bought a new Job 1 2002 F-150, for Job 2 they changed the style of running boards, deleted the wood grain trim kit, and added automatic climate control.

FYI, I see on the Ford website that for the ST they now say it has a manual tilt/telescoping steering column, so sounds like Ford did delete the power adjustable column for Job 2 (a bad change).