INPUT NEEDED: How Many People Would Want a "Lightning R" hood?
OK here's the deal. Remember the "SVT Lightning R" concept I came up with? (See https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=124107 and http://www.nloc.net/forum/showthread...threadid=49819)
The hood design in particular generated lots of positive responses, and we all mused about how cool it would be if such a hood existed. Well, your wish may be granted and this hood design might become a reality if we can demonstrate enough interest! Keystone, one of the biggest players in the industry, can make this happen for us. There is one slight problem though. I spoke with them over the phone and they said they already have a similarly styled hood for the GM boyz (http://www.gearfx.com/ford/keystone1.jpg). The problem is that the GM version sells poorly, and Keystone is not sure if it's worth making another potential flop for the Ford market. I briefly explained to Keystone that GM doesn't make any fast trucks, and that the Lightning/Harley guys would appreciate a hood like this more, especially with the functional features that may enhance the truck's performance (intake scoop and louvers). Keystone told me they would need to sell roughly 100 hoods to make the venture worthwhile for them (I guess they break even with tooling costs at that point). Certainly there are a few dozen interested buyers in the L/HD online community, and the "offline" L/HD crowd in your local clubs and the whole world of regular F150/Expedition folks could make up the rest of the 100 sales Keystone would need to make. I told Keystone that I would try and gauge the market by asking how many serious buyers would actually want a hood like this if it were to become available in the near future. If we can show that there is a significant interest in the product on F150, NLOC, and elsewhere... Keystone may agree that there's enough potential in the rest of the market to make this hood after all.
So how many people here would seriously consider buying an aftermarket composite hood with:
- Design similar to "SVT Lightning R" concept (see photos of concept below)
- Functional scoop intake and heat evacuation louvers (see reference pic of similar Keystone product below)
- Approximate $600 retail price
100 people don't need to make a firm commitment here... just post if you think you would seriously consider buying one. If only a handful of people are interested in this hood, that's fine too - we can always try lower-volume approaches from other sources too. Thanks!

<-- just an example, it's obviously dumping air on the opposite side of engine
The hood design in particular generated lots of positive responses, and we all mused about how cool it would be if such a hood existed. Well, your wish may be granted and this hood design might become a reality if we can demonstrate enough interest! Keystone, one of the biggest players in the industry, can make this happen for us. There is one slight problem though. I spoke with them over the phone and they said they already have a similarly styled hood for the GM boyz (http://www.gearfx.com/ford/keystone1.jpg). The problem is that the GM version sells poorly, and Keystone is not sure if it's worth making another potential flop for the Ford market. I briefly explained to Keystone that GM doesn't make any fast trucks, and that the Lightning/Harley guys would appreciate a hood like this more, especially with the functional features that may enhance the truck's performance (intake scoop and louvers). Keystone told me they would need to sell roughly 100 hoods to make the venture worthwhile for them (I guess they break even with tooling costs at that point). Certainly there are a few dozen interested buyers in the L/HD online community, and the "offline" L/HD crowd in your local clubs and the whole world of regular F150/Expedition folks could make up the rest of the 100 sales Keystone would need to make. I told Keystone that I would try and gauge the market by asking how many serious buyers would actually want a hood like this if it were to become available in the near future. If we can show that there is a significant interest in the product on F150, NLOC, and elsewhere... Keystone may agree that there's enough potential in the rest of the market to make this hood after all.
So how many people here would seriously consider buying an aftermarket composite hood with:
- Design similar to "SVT Lightning R" concept (see photos of concept below)
- Functional scoop intake and heat evacuation louvers (see reference pic of similar Keystone product below)
- Approximate $600 retail price
100 people don't need to make a firm commitment here... just post if you think you would seriously consider buying one. If only a handful of people are interested in this hood, that's fine too - we can always try lower-volume approaches from other sources too. Thanks!

<-- just an example, it's obviously dumping air on the opposite side of engine
Last edited by BMWBig6; Sep 25, 2003 at 02:33 PM.
Definately INTERESTED!
Could they make the "heat louvres" optional?
I like the hood and scoop, but I think the heat louvres are a little over the top.
Still would seriously consider with the louvres....
I like the hood and scoop, but I think the heat louvres are a little over the top.
Still would seriously consider with the louvres....
Actually, I like the Chevy hood better (scoop set back a bit more and louvers toward the rear. If it turned out like that for the Fords, I would be definitely be interested.
Steel or glass?
Steel or glass?
Trending Topics
I would be a FIRM Hell Yes. I have been looking for a hood and so far I would rather stay stock, but that hood is the hood for me. I sure hope we can muster up enogh intrest to make those happen
Originally posted by jaymz
Actually, I like the Chevy hood better (scoop set back a bit more and louvers toward the rear. If it turned out like that for the Fords, I would be definitely be interested.
Steel or glass?
Actually, I like the Chevy hood better (scoop set back a bit more and louvers toward the rear. If it turned out like that for the Fords, I would be definitely be interested.
Steel or glass?
I would be interested also and what material would be used for the hood?







..its a great looking hood, and if its ****ional..all the better