I am new here and I have to say this is the baddest truck I have ever seen. This will be my first ford and my first truck. I have been a corvette guy until now. I am thinking about the 01,02 years. Are there any common problems with these trucks? How are they on milage? What is the tow capacity?

 

cant give you the specifics but I have an 01 and have several mods, I have had a Grand National, 4 mustangs and a WS6 Trans-AM and this is by far the best vehicle I have had. By that I mean fast and easy to make go faster. For the ones who dont know the truck is a good sleeper for street races. I have smoked a zo6 vette from a 20 mph kick and pull a car to the track on a trailer, unload it and run the L as well as the car you hauled and the L is nearly as fast.........yep good truck.

 

Hey Dave, welcome to the site. The reason I'm replying is mainly because of your screen name. My good buddy has owned two ZR-1's. He can pull me (or atleast he could when I was fairly stock) on the highway. However one time I took him for a ride, and he mumbled out, "damn, I wish my vette pulled like that!" and to this day won't admit it! Anyway, its a whole different animal from your vette, both are AWSOME vehicles! The 01/02 are good. They hve 373 gears as apposed to the 355 gears in the 99/00's. The 03+ have more threads in the heads for the spark plugs...the older ones seem to pop out if you don't keep them torqued. Other than that, it is just small changes, and really leaves it up to personal preference. Most people try to get the newest on possible, others buy the 99/00's as they are cheaper now. I personally like my 00 style wheels/grills/lights. Either way, if you buy one that has been modded, find out the history of it, get it to a dyno to make sure it has a safe tune, and contact the tuner that did the mods.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I am really blown away on how much power these trucks make. My ZR1 makes 430rwhp w/cams and headers. I have a ZO6 that makes 450rwhp w/heads and cam. This truck makes more power w/less mods. I have to get one. I am down here in San Antonio TX if you know of any locally. I am ready to buy w/ a budget of 20-25K.

 

I'd get an 03 or 04 just becuase the block has more webbing and the heads have 8 threads in the spark plug, whereas the earlier years have 4 threads and widely known to spit plugs out of the head.

around 450rwhp, you will start to look at building the lower end. The stock is good to about 450rwhp reliable.

 

Towing capacity on a 01-02 = 5,000/2,270kg

Payload = 800 lbs/363kg

Rich

 

http://www.austinsvt.com/lightning/gen2data.html

Good reading above..helped me decide on an '01 (BTW, I had the same budget/price range as you do)

 

Dave,

You will enjoy a Lightning. It is fun to drive and easy to modify. However, when heavily modified, it seems that 99 and 00 models have slightly stronger rods. On the other hand, 01 + models have 3.73 gears and more stock power.

PS. I am also in San Antonio. If you have any questions feel free to call me at 404-1557 or send me an e-mail at:

gstieg (a) worldnet.att.net



Greg

 

If you get an '01, there are two different models of transmissions. To see which model you have, look on the driver side, just forward of the extension housing, th3ere should be an ID tag with either code "1J" or "5X". Of the two, the 5X is the better one to get.
This only applies to the (early) 2001 models, and only about 1600 of the 1J model transmissions were sold. The 5X model was introduced in March of 2001 and continued for the resto fo the model years.


G

 

You guys have been very helpful. I am looking forward to joining the club. I would love to see your truck Greg. Are there alot of lightning guys in SA? I do know a guy by the name of Mike Woods. He has a first gen, not sure what year it is.

 

im sure u can find an 03-04 for under 25k. I would go for one of those cause most of the problems are all taken care of. Goodluck!

 

Welcome from a 'former' Lightning owner. You won't be disappointed in the low end torque monster known as the 5.4 in these things. Do all the bolt-ons and maybe a port job and you're pushing 440/535 ~ to the wheels pretty safely.

I was cruising the Z06 boards earlier this year. Almost bought a Cartek heads/cam '02 in March but decided to pick up a Harley truck. Little more practical for me right now with the back seat. Not too practical at 525/635 to the wheels though.

If you're looking for good sources for classifieds, check them out here on this board and at:

www.nloc.net
www.svtperformance.com

Good luck.

 

Hi Gregg,
In a nutshell, what changes were made in 01 that make the tranny a better one?

TB

 

I might part with my 03 for $25,900. It only has 10,400 miles and the only Mod is a JLP Forced air kit and FlowMaster exhuast

 

Yea, Greg I would be interested to know what the change are since I just looked and have the 1J.