I went to a few SVT dealers that had 03 L's on their lots to see who wanted to sell me one for X plan. I found 2 locally and I now just deciding if I want to get ripped by tradeing in my 2001 GT with 13000 miles or just take my time and sell it. Now, I noticed that every L I look at has the exaust way below the body molding cutout. Is there a simple fix for this or are we talking muffler shop? I also noticed that the front bumper is further out to one side than the other and the gap is tight on one side and loose on the other. Is this normal? I know the bed gap is off on just about all the trucks I've seen also. I know that Ford is not the best at quality but some things just look strange to the eye. I am on the quality team for another auto manufactorer and maybe I am just too picky? What the heck, it is $30k, shouldn't Ford look out for their SVT customers? Please let me know other things to look for and things that are considered normal.

Thanks

 

Mine matches up pretty well all the way around. Is your GT's body panels off? If your Mustang seems ok to you, than you should be able to find a Lightning w/ equivalent quality standards. Good luck in your search.

 

The mustang is ok. One of the exaust tip is out farther than the other and the lock plate needs to be adjusted in on the drives side to even out the door to body.
If your L is even all the way around then maybe I should go to some other dealerships and check out their trucks. Maybe Ford is throwing out the last of the L's due to the impending body change and not checking quality that close? I trust what you guys think and say.

Thank in advance for the replys

 

I think there is more gap between the 01 and up bumpers than the 99-00. Mine had a 3/4inch gap but it was easily fixed.

 

The gap thing is not a big deal...mine doesnt have it but its easily fixed by loosening one side, and pushing down on it until it is even. Then you just tighten it back up when your done. All our front pieces can be loosend and dropped down about 2" or so...not that you would want that though. My exhaust tips are fine, and all my trim/ground efffects line up. I dont have the bed alignment problem either even though my last 99xlt did.

 

you can always try to see if the dealership will adjust the tips before purchase to fix the problem...

my tips sag a little now too but they'll get adjusted soon..(or replaced )

 

The dealership said that a muffler shop would have to adjust the tips back up. The top of the tips are at the bottom of the ground effects or 1 to 2 inches low. Is this a muffler shop job or simply a loosen up clamps to adjust problem?

 

A local muffler shop raised mine for $10. They heated the pipe just before the clamp and bent the tips to the right height.

 

Thanks 03Lightning, thats just what I needed to know. Now I just have to check the build date to see which one has the new heads on them.

 

CarolinaL,
When I bought my 03, the bed and cab were crooked (that's what the body shop said). Ford paid to have them straightened out, plus the bumper and grill. It wasn't way off, but enough for me to notice.
My exhaust tips are even all around (top and both sides) so I'd say they are in the right spot. I looked at mine and there are clamps just inboard of the tips. So they may (I'm not saying they can) loosen the clamps and move them for you. I would definitely not accept it with anything not just right, the dealer should be willing to work with you. My Ford oval on the grill was off to the left about 3/4 of an inch (hung off the oval in the grill) but I didn't notice until the first time I washed it. I took it to the dealer and they were happy to fix it while I waited.
If they are not willing to fix these things for you, move on to another dealer.
Also, from what I have read, all 03 L's have the improved spark plug holes.
What color are you thinking of getting? Either way you are going to love it from the first moment you sit in it.