After crawling around the new sled for a few days here are some observations.

Yes the engine is the Lightning motor, same super charger, same air box (Lightning air filter fits), same s/c whine. Larger pulley, smaller intercooler grill seem to be the most significant areas responsible for 40 hp loss. Different computer code makes me suspect that a whole new chip learning curve may be required. After going through the Lightning's chip tuner's OTJ "training program", I'm going to pass on chipping the beast.

My opinion, the stock HD muffler seems louder than the stock Lightning muffler. However, the winding path it takes to exit behind the rear wheels, as well as the overall length, may also extract some hp. The large chrome tips are nicer than the Lightnings ceramic tips.

The suspension is garden variety Supercrew. There is not a SVT piece anywhere. The rear end seems to be easily upset by cross winds and it does multiple hops over bumps going around corners. It screams for a rear sway bar and Bilstein shocks. The wheels are beautiful but they have to weigh 75 pounds each. Rear brakes look the same as the Lightning, front brakes seem bigger and are of a different design.

The exterior has all sorts of interesting chrome and Harley emblems to entertain. I thought I'd miss the Lightning's 'Dolly Parton' cargo box, but I don't. I had to add the Lightning's clear rear tail lights and third stop light. They match the clear turn signals on the front perfectly. BTW the flames are nicely done and on the grey truck appear almost muted.

The interior has it all over the Lightning. The room (rear seats), color (mostly black), climate control, sunroof, chrome accents, heated front seats, and accessable CD changer are all fantastic, and nowhere to be found on the Lightning. The seats have full leather surfaces that actually feel like leather (my Lightning's leather inserts must have been from a defective cow), and the carpeting is a much higher grade. I also sprung for the carpeted Ford/Harley mats- super quality carpet and emblem (front only). Finally, the premium stereo sounds much better than the Lightning's factory radio. Probably due to speaker placement and the bigger 'drum' effect of the larger interior box.

I'm going to miss the Lightning's 'fling-ability', it seemed if it was thousands of pounds lighter than it was. Some magazines have listed the HD S/c within about 50lbs of the Lightning. All I can say if you believe that then I have some nice swamp land to sell . I hope I can dial in some of the L's handling with the rear sway and Bilstein's. As far as the power goes, unless your into drag racing, I don't think you'd miss it.

Do you NEED a truck like this, probably not, do you WANT a truck like this, most definitely yes!

Regards,

Franko

 

Nice breakdown!!! Well im adding the belltech shackles to the back......do you think it will make the back settle down a bit being it would be 2" lower? I have the lighting clears already too........only thing im waiting on is my truck LOL. It was built last monday 3/25 And I was told to expect it today (tuesday) or tommorow. Well see.......I know I dont have that much more wait to go. Congrats on the new truck btw. -TeK

 

yes, like Teknics said, nice breakdown, now how bout some pics guys, or better yet, links to your galleries

 

"Leather inserts must have come from a defective cow".....you gotta love that description!

 

I had a 01 Lightning last summer and i drove a 02 HD last week that we got in at work. I agree with what Franko said.

 

Those are some nice pics outnumbered. IMO ford should still be using the front grill and lower valence from the '00.

 

nice looking truck outnumbered--and I like the paint, but it sure looks big! Wheels seem to fill the wells better than my '00 especially in the back. Disappointing about the Ford suspension tho; I can get some wheel hop and side to side on roads with sucessive small bumps as well--rebound rate on springs/shocks seems to be too tight. My SVT Contour on same roads at faster speed stays well planted on all four wheels ( it is a car after all ) while the HD hops a little too much. Curious to hear,Franco, your experience with shocks and sway bar. The '02 looks really sweet though.

 

abullerm,

My wife is not particularly fond of the grill either. I could be making a change.

 

Well, tomorrow is the day that I take a '02 HD for a spin. Both myself and the service manager had tried to do this before, but something always comes up. Mainly due to the sales manager using it as a demo and not being around when we want him to.
So we're swapping trucks and going for a cruise. Him in MY Lightning and me in the HD. Then we're going to swap again, so I can see for myself with my OWN truck how they compare on the street. I've checked it out in person once already, but the keys weren't around. It IS a sweet set of wheels. Can hardly wait to sit my butt in that thing. And I must admit, the HD interior is better than my 'L'.
So come tomorrow afternoon(PST), I should have a couple pics to post with the 2 trucks together, and a road report. Looking forward to some HD action.

BTW, Out#ed: You're truck is looking damn hot with it being lowered/raked like that, as well as with the 'L' tails on. Keep it up man.

P.S.-I heard that it's not possible to get a black '02 HD. Is that right? Don't tell me Canada got denied the black color option. Unless this one new sales guy that I was talking to was on the crack pipe a little too long.

Cheers all

 

crack pipe it was....

our only 02HD weve gotten so far is black. I like the gray better

 

Could someone who owns or has access to a S/C Harley please tell me what the eighth position of the VIN is?

Thanks,

 

That's what I thought, but maybe us Canucks got shafted on that color. Although HE (the OTHER sales guy) is new to the sales team, so I'll have be gentle on the words when I see him tomorrow. Good thing he's not driving MY truck.
I haven't seen a black '02 in person or in picture form as of yet. Not to start a color war here, but IMO, I think the black would be better. Looks more aggressive.

 

The number "3"


Regards,

Frank

 

Franko,

You mentioned that the Harley you reviewed did NOT have a rear sway bar. While putting my shackles I noticed that I do have a sway bar on mine. The sway bar appeared to be about 1.5 inches thick and had a few numbers and the Ford logo. I'm not sure if the dealer put it on or if it came from the factory all I know is that it is there.

 

Hey Franko that vin position is the engine type. That number three is in the same place on all harleys.