Schizoid thought of the day: Part Deux... Lightnings !!!

[Troll]

Ok, I know the basics and the 01-04 model has a tad more hp/tq than the 99-00. Eddie had one and a few more of you peeps own them or have owned them. Give me your pros / cons.

I'm thinking Wifey can drive it since it's Auto(she'll never drive a manual... can't/won't/don't want to/really shouldn't anyway) and I can haul some stuff. really fast. :goodidea:

[cam303]

Why would you want a vehicle the wife could drive?:loco:

I would stick with a manual in your case.

But lightnings are cool.

[Cam99]

I gotta be honest. My lightning is one of the best vehicles i've owned. It's cool because you don't see them often, the blower whine is intoxicating, easy to run 12's and I can still haul stuff for house remodling and assorted honey-do projects. The most useful hot-rod I've ever bought.

[Troll]

Why would you want a vehicle the wife could drive?:loco:

ssssssssshhhhhhhhh... I just want the L dude. I'm doing my best here. :thmbsup:

[Troll]

Cam, still selling yours? just curious.

I like "most useful hotrod".

either the Lightning or an El Camino with a BB. :rofl:

[somethingclever]

The functionality is certainly good....i had considered getting one until i realized just how TERRIBLE the gas mileage is. My use was DD with the occasional boat towing or parts hauling.

At the time, the math said it woudl actually be cheaper to buy a mustang that got way better fuel mileage to drive everyday, and a cheap truck for when it's needed. :)

[97LaserRed]

I considered one for a dd a while ago but the gas would beat me up. If you can afford the for a dd I say do it. But I'm sure its going to be a weekend car. I love them!

[Troll]

why does it seem like every L conversation turns into gas mileage? do more peeps DD them than weekend them or what? it would only bother me if I couldn't get to the next gas station. it has a F-150 tank, right? 20 gals?

if you could just get rid of the pig-rich factory tune without adding any other mods( :sticktonge: ), the gas mileage would probably go up.

[97LaserRed]

I heard has milage is about 7 to 14 city. Depending on how you drive. So with me driving. Prob 7 mpg Lol

[Inkdcountryboy]

i say buy one or atleast kick the tires clear off thinking bout it lol

[White5.0]

I heard has milage is about 7 to 14 city. Depending on how you drive. So with me driving. Prob 7 mpg Lol

whoever told you that was out of their fu*king mind


its more like 13-17.

7? why on earth would you believe that? lol

[Troll]

i say buy one or atleast kick the tires clear off thinking bout it lol
do you like yours?

I don't have a Lightning
oh, that's right, STFU! :sticktonge:

[2001GTTT]

I love lightnings, looked at some for awhile.

You said you wanted a truck, this would fulfill that want and at the same time be an extremely nice/fast show/track vehicle.

[97LaserRed]

whoever told you that was out of their fu*king mind


its more like 13-17.

7? why on earth would you believe that? lol

Actually people on svtp.com who own L told me that's what they get in there's. They told me to expect to see 12 to 13 daily and the had as low as 7.

[Cam99]

Cam, still selling yours? just curious.

I like "most useful hotrod".

either the Lightning or an El Camino with a BB. :rofl:

Probably keeping it. Markets to soft right now to really sell it even if I wanted to. My mileage averages around 12mpg, but i do almost no highway and I'm not driving miss daisy

[somethingclever]

why does it seem like every L conversation turns into gas mileage? .


Because that's their biggest downfall.

I think most people use them for a performance vehicle...not a utilitarian vehicle. If I can get a late-model mustang that will out handle, out brake, and out accelerate a lightning, all while still getting close to twice the fuel mileage, why would I get an L?

[Cam99]

Because that's their biggest downfall.

I think most people use them for a performance vehicle...not a utilitarian vehicle. If I can get a late-model mustang that will out handle, out brake, and out accelerate a lightning, all while still getting close to twice the fuel mileage, why would I get an L?

Have you ever owned an L? After having an 86GT, 98 Cobra, 99 GT, 03 Cobra, and 04 Mach 1 I can tell it will handle and brake with the best of them. And I would line my L with minor bolt-ons up against a large portion of late model mustangs with a bed full of plywood and show them taillights.

[Troll]

^^^ that's why. :rolleyes:

[bgblockelcamino]

well i would say el camino with BB but kinda partial to that lol

but the lightning is cool though. is someone building a trans for those yet that will hold up?

[somethingclever]

^^^ that's why. :rolleyes:



Facts are facts...look at any performance specs on an 03-04 cobra and it beats the L in every category. Heck..add to that list 99-01 cobras and 03-04 mach's. :rolleyes:

Point I'm making isn't that L's suck...in fact quite the opposite. What I said was that most people use them as performance vehicles instead of TRUCKS. If the intended purpose was largely TRUCK related, and not performance vehicle related, then the L's have their place.

If you want a toy to drive on nice days and at the track, you could do better for the same money.

[Troll]

If you want a toy to drive on nice days and at the track, you could do better for the same money.
yes, agreed.

But, I'm looking for a toy I can drive on nice days to the furniture store and get a coffee table, then stop for some stronger-than-usual libations on the ride home and have Wifey take me the rest of the way. ta da !!! :hyper:

[Cam99]

Facts are facts...look at any performance specs on an 03-04 cobra and it beats the L in every category. Heck..add to that list 99-01 cobras and 03-04 mach's. :rolleyes:

Point I'm making isn't that L's suck...in fact quite the opposite. What I said was that most people use them as performance vehicles instead of TRUCKS. If the intended purpose was largely TRUCK related, and not performance vehicle related, then the L's have their place.

If you want a toy to drive on nice days and at the track, you could do better for the same money.

You obviously have your one sided opinion, but take it from someone who has owned modded versions of those cars, the L stacks up fine. Cobra's are obviously faster stock, Mach's are similar,99-01 Cobra's behind. Again from driving and racing them all, braking and handling is on par, without the wheelhopping IRS or the weak 28 spline 8.8. They are very much a performance vehicle, with the added bonus of actually bieng useful for something else.

[Troll]

there have to be a few more peeps here that own one? :scratchchin:

[Inkdcountryboy]

i kicked tires on a bright green one at huffsmans....does that count?

[Troll]

i kicked tires on a bright green one at huffsmans....does that count?
that's a nice truck. I love the wheels. that one's an R-title and I think Ed Huffman drives it regularly. doesn't really want to sell it, but if the price is right. It got some mods, too.

now, they have a bone stock '01 with 17K miles and a good title there, too. :goodidea:

[Inkdcountryboy]

yea you should buy the bright green one its fkn SWEEET

[scott5]

I drove sam's (pumped 101) on here a few times then eddie bought it from the dealership and i loved it. And from what mike told me he got more people's attention and compliments with that silver lightning than he did in his 04 cobra.. If its a weekend warrior that can be used like a truck if the need be i say get it.. If your going to drive it daily and use it as a truck all the time. I say buy my truck and keep your mustang:highfive:


there have to be a few more peeps here that own one? :scratchchin:

[scott5]

yea you should buy the bright green one its fkn SWEEET

he wants wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much money for that truck

[Troll]

he wants wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much money for that truck
that thing has been on the website for YEARS. my mother-in-law was looking for a car a few years ago. we took her out there and Eddie actually talked with us. I asked him where that Green Lightning was. He told me it was his personal car and it was in "storage". I asked if it was indeed for sale and he said, "well, for that price, YES". He said it had gears, pulley, chip, etc...

[John4cam]

Hey man, I figured I would throw out the svtp lightning forums. There's alot of traffic through there and more L owners to give their insight..Not giving any opinions cause I've never owned one let alone drove one, but...I want one. Lol.

[Troll]

thanks John. I'm a regular lurker over there. :thmbsup:

[scott5]

that thing has been on the website for YEARS. my mother-in-law was looking for a car a few years ago. we took her out there and Eddie actually talked with us. I asked him where that Green Lightning was. He told me it was his personal car and it was in "storage". I asked if it was indeed for sale and he said, "well, for that price, YES". He said it had gears, pulley, chip, etc...

its not worth 20k plus and last i heard he had it for sale at like 24k

[SonofaBish]

Have you thought at all about a Harley truck?? the '00 and '01 were non-supercharged, but starting in '02 they had the same engine as the Lightning .... Since '00 was the only year of the extended cab, you'd end up with a super cab, but they're still sweet trucks... with exception of the rear sway bar, it has a full Lightning suspension on it as well... So its heavier version of the Lightning, with better looks (imo) and a really luxurious interior.... the super cab versions actually have two rear seats that are the same as the front seats (captain's chairs), with another console in between them... performance would be completely different, but i'm extremely happy with how my truck handles/feels - with the 2" lowering springs and L-spec billestiens, it has very little body roll and is very predictable... and when driving staright, its as soft and comfortable as most anything i've ever rode in....

And as far as teh gas mileage, it definitely won't be good.. my truck only gets 15mpg, and its the non-supercharged 5.4

[scott5]

Have you thought at all about a Harley truck?? the '00 and '01 were non-supercharged, but starting in '02 they had the same engine as the Lightning .... Since '00 was the only year of the extended cab, you'd end up with a super cab, but they're still sweet trucks... with exception of the rear sway bar, it has a full Lightning suspension on it as well... So its heavier version of the Lightning, with better looks (imo) and a really luxurious interior.... the super cab versions actually have two rear seats that are the same as the front seats (captain's chairs), with another console in between them... performance would be completely different, but i'm extremely happy with how my truck handles/feels - with the 2" lowering springs and L-spec billestiens, it has very little body roll and is very predictable... and when driving staright, its as soft and comfortable as most anything i've ever rode in....

And as far as teh gas mileage, it definitely won't be good.. my truck only gets 15mpg, and its the non-supercharged 5.4

I know you do alot of city driving bish, but i am getting around 17 in the city, i was getting around 20 or so on my long drives to NY and around 17-19 combined.. Once i did a full tune-up on it it really woke it up and my truck now has 106k on it

[2001GTTT]

Have you thought at all about a Harley truck?? the '00 and '01 were non-supercharged, but starting in '02 they had the same engine as the Lightning .... Since '00 was the only year of the extended cab, you'd end up with a super cab, but they're still sweet trucks... with exception of the rear sway bar, it has a full Lightning suspension on it as well... So its heavier version of the Lightning, with better looks (imo) and a really luxurious interior.... the super cab versions actually have two rear seats that are the same as the front seats (captain's chairs), with another console in between them... performance would be completely different, but i'm extremely happy with how my truck handles/feels - with the 2" lowering springs and L-spec billestiens, it has very little body roll and is very predictable... and when driving staright, its as soft and comfortable as most anything i've ever rode in....

And as far as teh gas mileage, it definitely won't be good.. my truck only gets 15mpg, and its the non-supercharged 5.4


id have to agree with ya brent...your truck is super nice, very comfortable and nice ride.

[Troll]

Ok, so I did a little research on the SC/HD. Why is it only rated at 340hp/425tq? Where'd the other 40hp/25tq go?

[SonofaBish]

Ok, so I did a little research on the SC/HD. Why is it only rated at 340hp/425tq? Where'd the other 40hp/25tq go?
pullies... it had a different pulley setup on it from the factory.....

edit: i think it runs 2lbs lower than the Lightning

[SonofaBish]

Also, i think the newer body-style HD trucks sit up kinda like 4wd truck, while the '00-'04's sit low and more sporty..... but i might be wrong on the newer ones...

And i know for damn sure that you can pick one up cheap... the value on my truck has gone WAY down in the last year and a half due to the economy ... its a good time to buy anything that gets bad gas mileage

[Troll]

there's an '01 Lightning in the Auto Trader somewhere around PGH with 46K miles. he's asking $14,000. It's black. That's the only color I DONT' want, but that's a hella deal. It has a 4# lower and some other mods, too.

Bish I'm in the same spot you seemed to be in with the TA. I can't sell a car right now. I wish I had the balls to buy something cheap and wait out this economy to sell the Stang. :rolleyes:

[SonofaBish]

That sucks man... I felt I had no choice at the time b/c I was under contract with a house.. now that i'm building instead of buying, i won't need the money still for another month, so i could have held out a bit... but o well i guess.....

Good luck with your choice... If you don't want black, then i guess a harley truck probably isn't going to fit your style... for the first couple years, black was the only color... then they added the silver/black... i think... i haven't done extensive research or anything...

[Troll]

anybody know who this is? I can't tell if that's a red fox LX or a pontiac grand prix in the reflection of the one pic?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=258150176&dealer_id=63786691&car_year=2001&rdm=1236450164380&model=&num_records=100&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=15425&advanced=&end_year=2001&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=38&standard=false&rdpage=thumb

[John4cam]

Looks like a gt with turbines to me...Thats seems cheap for that truck. I was pricing these when my car was on the market and possibly looking for a trade. They were asking more than that for higher mileage trucks. Interior looks spotless also.

[Troll]

I got a carfax request in at SVTP. We'll see wassupp. :hyper:

[Cam99]

Wish pricing was like that when I bought my L!

[scott5]

dont forget with the older year ones in that body style there were less threads fro the spark plugs and once you start putting some power to them they start spitting out spark plugs.

[Cam99]

dont forget with the older year ones in that body style there were less threads fro the spark plugs and once you start putting some power to them they start spitting out spark plugs.

The dreaded three thread heads!

[scott5]

The dreaded three thread heads!

yup.

[Troll]

dont forget with the older year ones in that body style there were less threads fro the spark plugs and once you start putting some power to them they start spitting out spark plugs.

The dreaded three thread heads!

yup.
OH GAWWD! I'm usually pretty skittish when it come to "known" problems, but I'm not going to let this scare me away. :goodidea:

[Cam99]

you gotta watch the boost levels on the earlier ones. Or just play it safe and get a newer one

[Troll]

'04 was the only year with the better heads. I'm not going to limit myself to one year. there's much debate about the 9 (is it 9?) thread heads over at SVTP and all over the innanet!!! the general consensus says it was just '04. :thmbsup:

[Cam99]

'04 was the only year with the better heads. I'm not going to limit myself to one year. there's much debate about the 9 (is it 9?) thread heads over at SVTP and all over the innanet!!! the general consensus says it was just '04. :thmbsup:

My 03 has the 9 thread heads

[scott5]

'04 was the only year with the better heads. I'm not going to limit myself to one year. there's much debate about the 9 (is it 9?) thread heads over at SVTP and all over the innanet!!! the general consensus says it was just '04. :thmbsup:


My 03 has the 9 thread heads

Yea teh 03/04 were the ones with the 9 threads.