So I've been reading this forum for about a week now, and I've come up with some stuff which is really scaring me about buying my lightning. These are:

1) A tendancy for the engine to "spit out" spark plugs

2) Serious Intercooler problems which can cause severe engine problems.

The truck I'm looking at is a 1999.

What is wrong with the intercooler, and how much does it cost to fix the issue? Is it not just the case that I can replace the current intercooler with an aftermarket item? Is the intercooler a true intercooler (air-based) or is it a Charge-Cooler (liquid based)?

Also, what is the likelyhood of my truck spitting a plug?

The problem being that I live in the UK, and Lightnings are difficult to come by at reasonable prices here (I'm paying nearly $40,000 USD for this one), so my choices are limited. This truck is in great shape and has done 60,000 miles, but I need to know if it's going to become a serious liability and is going to cost me 000's more to fix it up.

Also, I have no aftersales support over here, as all Lightnings (actually, all F150's in general) are imports here, as Ford UK does not produce a UK version for general sale.

Any information anyone could put my way is much appreciated. I'm seriously wanting to buy this truck, but if it's a bad idea, I'm gonna pass...

 

To be honest, In your situation I think I would pass on a Lightning. They're nice trucks and definitely have some great performance, but without a support system for it, you could be asking for more problems. Especially if you have to pay $40,000 for a 1999 with 60,000 miles on it. If you're looking for performance, there should be many cars readily available over there that will give you more bang for the buck. Good luck in whatver you choose.

 

Hmmm... Not really the response I was hoping for. I currently drive another US import - a 2000 LS-1 Corvette. I've had no problems with this car at all, and I'm well versed in where to find parts etc. for the car as there is quite a big third party support for american vehicles over here.

The question is reliability.

There is nothing else over here that I'm interested in buying. I want something which doesn't look "too fast" (the vette is too obvious) but something which I will be able to rely on as my daily driver.

Would I not get that from a 1999 lightning?

 

Buy it and enjoy it! If you don't "go overboard" on the mods, the trucks are very reliable. Throw a 4lb lower, air kit, and conservative chip on it. Also get a upgraded valve body and have fun! Check your plugs every 5-10k miles or so too. I'd use NGK TR6's. If you do happen to spit a plug, it's very easy to helicoil an insert. Heck, any local garage can do it or you can do it yourself.

There are other UK owners who have Lightning's with built blocks that are 10 second capable trucks.

 

That's more like it!

So what do I need to do to the intercooler to make sure it's not gonna fry my engine? Is there a modification, or does the whole thing need replacing? If it does need replacing, where can I buy the parts?

Also, do these trucks have a "blow off valve" of any kind?

 

Somehow you need to run an "oasis" report on the VIN, maybe the intercooler was replaced. That is if the truck was imported "used", it may have been taken care of. If not you can buy the replacement from Ford but that is $$$$$$$$$$$.. The intercooler on'99 and '00's developed a leak and there was a "recall" but it's long expired.........JR

good luck and enjoy it....

 

if you keep it stock you should be fine.... the 99 and 2000 years dont seem to have as many problems with plugs. The only thing I would worry about is the previous owner....like any sports car/truck... most of the owners drive them like a race car .... some dont of course....no mods is a good sign....but even a stock truck can be beat on.

Im very lightly modified at the moment...and Im just about to turn 50k on the ODO.... I dont drive the **** out of it...but it is my daily driver. No repaires to date other than the intercooler, but that was done very early on when Ford put out the service re-call for it.

Good luck

 

The replacement intercooler kit from Ford is ~$800 parts.

It is a charge-air cooler, and the issue is that the wield on some of the seems splits from flexing and then starts letting the antifreeze leak into the engine.

While it -could- do severe damage, you'd have to keep forking fluid into the chamber for that (it only holds about a gallon).

The spart plug thing is hit-or-miss and was a build design issue for all 5.4's from Ford (F150, Expedition, etc) up until mid-2003.

A new set of heads is around $1200 I think?

Either can be replaced by a compitent mechanic without much complication, though the heads usually require the engine to be pulled out. ($ cost of labor)

Daniel

 

I have had my 99 for about 2 years now and no problems. Mildly modded with Bassani cat/Borla muffler, JLP ram air and Super chip program. You can get a low mileage 1999 Lightning here on the east coast for about $22k US dollars. What would import tax and container shipping be to the UK if you bought it in US and had it transported? I think that as long as you're not beating on the truck you will be fine.

 

If you buy a 99 Lightning and are worried about spitting plugs you can always get some Time-serts installed. Good insurance and the kit and inserts for all eight plug holes cost approx $150.00. I spit a plug last year and installed the inserts myself. The plugs are now held in by eight steel threads. The I/C isn't that expensive and can be easilly installed by a home mechanic with the proper tools.

 

I love my 99'.

I've had it for 3 years now, never a problem.

I had the intercooler recall done.

Never spit a plug, as I knock on wood.

 

If the truck is under warranty wouldn't it cover all the spark plug issues and intercooler?

 

I don't think there's much warranty work in the UK.. The intercooler recall has expired anyways