today with all good intentions, i went to the local dealer to look at the 2004 f150. they only had one so i didn't get the full effect of what i was looking for. before i left,i spied a 2001 lighting sitting in the front row off the lot. when it comes to trucks i'm like a kid in the candy store. i have a 97 sc flairside with the off road package. i bought it as soon as they were available when it was new. it has a 3 inch body lift with 35's and a k&n fipk. it's still like new,only 50,000 miles. the problem is this lighting caught my eye and now i want it. any pros or cons on this truck. 23000 miles aftermarket hood and hard bed cover. it's really a beauty but i love my 4x4 also. the wife says i can't have both because we just bought a new explorer. somebody call me a doctor because i'm sick[wife says in the head]lol

 

Do you NEED the 4x4 package? If yes, keep your truck. If no, look deeper at the L. Check the body, engine, do a carfax, see if it was anyone on here's. L's are awesome trucks (I actually get to drive ours tomorrow (taking it to work & taking my sister to lunch in it).

 

footwart -

Yes, do check it's history and maybe someone on the Lightning board used to own it.

Do a search on the lightning board to make yourself familiar with all the pros and cons of owning one.

The early gen IIs (99 and 00) had an intercooler leak problem (which after tons of back and forth with the jokers at ford was finally recalled. I do not believe the 01 had such a problem, but check it out anyway. The 2002 model launched plugs because ford got cheap and to save pennies decreased the number of threads holding the darn plugs in. The 02 also throw rods.

I have had 2 lightnings, a 2000 silver and a 2002 Red.

Here's my take.

Yes, they are a ton of fun, but there is a price to pay for it.

If it rains a lot or especially if you NEED the 4x4, turn around and walk away.

If you are looking for a weekend fun truck that will do 150 mph then this is it. It is even practical (sort of) in that it can handle payload and towing.

They get crummy mileage...thinik 11 to 12 mpg.

But on the "do I want to buy this" front...
Keep in mind that a number of people mod these trucks and drive them hard. Personally I never did race mine or drive them to the limit (or beyond). I'd drive fast when on highway to Palm Springs to play golf. There's just something about being in a truck and going 130mph.

But remember...it's a truck that will do that and many owners push the limits of these things. I wouldn't buy one used unless I knew absolutley, positively, that it was not abused and is in perfect shape.

If you're wondering why I have had two in so short a time, the 00 got ripped off, and after watching my L brothers in the L board repeatedly have ford deny the warrenty after plugs shot thru the engine on the 02s I got rid of it figuring that I wasn't gonna wait for problems to happen.

That said, I'm waiting for the Gen IIIs to come out in a few years. Some habits are hard to break.

Like I said, tons of fun, not the most practical vehicle in the world, not cheap to own, but....fun.

Hope this helps...search the Lightning board. The guys there know everything about these vehicles and are very helpful.

k

 

thanks for the input. after alot of thinking,i have decided to keep the 4x4. it has been a really good truck,and like i said it loks about a year old when it is actually 6. i still want a super truck but if i wait till my wifes explorer is paid for i can have my cake and eat it too.

 

Ya wont find many that havnt been pushed or abused at one time or another. Hell if i had an L i wouldnt abuse it, but every now and then, youve got to set those back tires loose