I thought id post in here as well as it seems a busier section than the SouthEast one!

im coming over to the USA (from UK!) in about a months time and am on the hunt for a lightning.

Ill be in the Central Florida area (Orlando). Does anyone have any links to garages/dealerships etc i can visit to see about buying one?? I am having a lot of trouble trying to find them from here!! Prices here in the UK are extortionate and it works out far cheaper importing one yourself.

Ive also always had a thing for the F150 Lightning (1999 / 2000 i think), but have been advised that these are now 'old hat', and the newer facelift model is the one to go for????? Am i right of have i been mislead??(no disrespect intended for current owners)

Is there more than one model lightning (someone mentioned flareside etc). Im after one ideally like the pic below (found it in the pic gallery from this site!



Any help / pointers in the right direction will be great.

Thanks
Chris

 

Chris,

check out Black's Automotive in Longwood, FL (about 5 minutes north of Orlando), they always have used Lightning on lot. They are a Mustang/Cobra/Lightning lot, and sell top quality used vehicles. www.blacksautomotive.com

Or check out Tropical Ford in Orlando, that is where I purchased my 04 Lightning only 2 months ago. Great place to buy. www.tropicalford.com

Best of Luck, and holler if you need any more info, I live in Orlando.

Joe

 

You might wanna look at some more colors...silver's aren't that fast

Sonic blue all the way.

 

lol, cheers guys. Ive looked on the tropicalford site and they only have one!!

Not necessarily a silver one though, anything but black as its hard to keep clean in out British Weather!!!

Cheers
Chris

 

WELCOME Chris

1999-2004 are the Gen II Lightnings.
They all look the same (other than a rim or lense change)
The 99/00 needed to have a new intercooler installed to correct
a problem (there was a recall on ALL of them) so if you go with those years MAKE SURE THE INTERCOOLER HAS BEEN CHANGED.

All years have little issues that are usually no issue for most,
but if you want the best years, they are clearly 03 + 04.
These 2 years have the improved Heads, Block, and Head Gaskets

99-02 used heads with only a few threads holding the spark plugs in, AND MANY MANY have spit plugs due to it

01 - 02 seem to blow head gaskets easier than other yrs
(not a prob for most, but it has been for some)

03+04 have a diff block with more surface area to seal the heads, more threads to secure the plugs, and a improved Head Gasket
But 03's + 04's are much higher in the rear (more pay load) so they will need to be lowered to look correct

There are other suttle differences through the years, but these are major issues you should be aware of, if possible buy 03/04

GOOD LUCK AND HEY WHATS WRONG WITH BLACK

I don't blame you
Believe me I know, mines one big dirty swirl mark


BUT IT LOOKS AWESOME FROM A FEW FEET AWAY

 

Thanks for that Rob.. You deffo know your stuff!!

Your black one looks lovely mate. Thing is over in the UK, the weather is so bad, you can clean a black car up making her mint, drive 2 miles down the road and its filthy again!!!! Ive got a black Honda Integra Type R (DC5) at the moment and its a pig to keep clean!!!

Thanks
Chris

 

Mine seems to run O.K.....

(Sorry, didnt mean to hijaak the thread!)

-Dale

 

Welcome Chris.

Where in the UK are you from? I'm from just south of Oxford.

Not got an L yet but hopefully will have in the spring.

I spoke to Peter Jordan at a company called specialised shipping here in the UK about importing an L. He said he can usually get a substantial discount from Sam Galloway Ford Inc in Ft Myers Florida Their phone number is 239 926 2193. THey can also arrange transport/shipping/customs clearance and SVA approval.

If ya interested the number for Specialised Shippping is 01252 838888.

And you know Red is the way to go

 

hi mate,

im from Essex (near Southend)! Was over in Oxford the other week though!!!

Ive been looking at ford dealers in that area, and have been speaking to friends over there so hopefully should find something! Red IS the way forward!!!! Thats the colour i want but am finding second hands ones difficult to source.

Ill give that number a call later today for some shipping quotes . Been told its cheaper to organise it from the US end as it will be cheaper (apparantly!)

Cheers
Chris