Check out the below link for a news release regarding the 2000
Harley-Davidson model F-150. One thing that is interesting to me is that
the new H-D F150 will be a SuperCab and will be made at the Ontario plant.
This, of course, is where the '99 Lightning is assembled and until now only
produced regular cab models. Does this mean that future Lightning's may be
available in extended cab form? Interesting.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/news/news45.html

Mike Philpott
'99.5 Black Lightning
'94 Harley FXLR
'90 Black SHO

 

I posed the Lightning SuperCab question to Robert Warner at Blue Oval News. Here's his reply:

"2002.5 will be a regular cab still ... at least for now."

So, sorry all you guys (and me too) who would consider a back seat a plus. We'll just have to be content with what we got for now. (I'm happy, of course, but always wishing for more.)

Mike Philpott

 

my personal opinion is that the lightning is already too heavy for it's size, i don't think the svt guys would be too happy with the performance,cornering, braking numbers, of an even heavier lightning, unless they can get the weight off.

 

BBQ

I agreed with you about the wieght and preformance I also think that the regular cab looks a lot sportier.

Dennis
white lightning
G-Tech
bed rug
chip is next

 

I too think the reg. cab gives it a way sportier style. Chances are you wouldn't be hauling around alot of people anyway, considering it would drastically hurt the performance. The reason why I didn't pick up a super cab, is that they usually turn into a taxi for friends and family.

------------------
'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system / Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed cover, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

From Nov. 98 through March 99 you would see extended cab F150's around the Detroit area that had all the options of a Lightning. I seen one at Blackwell Ford in Dec. and heard it was a FoMoCo evaluation vehicle. The top of the dash was covered with various instruments and it had a computer accessible to the driver by being mounted on a swing arm. The SVT salesman, who later moved to a different dealership, assured me that the Lightning would be an extended cab vehicle. Suddenly I was disappointed - it didn't look sporty, aggressive, squatty, mean (fill in your own adjective). The tire/wheel combo didn't fit the truck length/profile. Maybe that's why they're outfitting the HD truck with 20" wheels/tires. Anyway, I was happier than a pig in ---- when the new salesman wagered his first born on the Lightning being available in a regular cab configuration only (for now). I miss the extra space (had a 97 F150 ext. cab ORP) but wouldn't give up the looks just to haul a few bags of groceries. That's why the wife has an Explorer!

Chuck

 

Well, to tell you the truth, I enjoy hauling around friends and family. If I want to go solo, I hop on my Harley.

I do love the way our Lightning's look but I also think the extended cabs look good too. My stepson has a black '99 F150 extended cab with chrome aftermarket wheels and it looks great.

No question it would be somewhat slower with the added weight, but I wonder how many of the 4,000 folks who are buying these trucks each year will be running them on the strip on a regular basis? On the street, it would be hard to notice too much difference. And, I'll bet that an extended cab option would double Lightning sales. Speed plus added utility is hard to resist.

Of course, given my druthers, I would prefer a Crown Vic with 500 horsepower to a Mustang with 400, so maybe I should pick up an F-350 crewcab duallie and Vortec that V10.

Mike

 

It's supposed to be a sport truck.
A longer wheelbase would adversly
affect the cornering and handling
I believe. One of the features
that make our lightings unique is
their ability to out corner all
other trucks, most cars, and many
sports cars and sport sedans. I
personally like the fact that it
is made in limited numbers and is
not trying to be all things to all
people. Only 4000 out of over
900,000 F series trucks are
lightnings. I think thats kool.

Every time a manufacture stumbles
across a really need vehicle that
appeals to the real enthusiast
then attemps to make it appeal to
the masses it just becomes a
watered down bore. Look at what
happened t the Datson 240 Z, the
mustangs of the 70's (ie mustang
II ),the Thunderbird .
Anyways guys, thats this mans 2
cents worth.
-------------------------------
99.5 fast white. Billet aluminum
grill top and bottom. Saving up
for Superchip, bedrug, roll cover.

 

I'm with you Peter, that's why I got the truck... to have a special piece of FORD history, a functional high performance sport vehicle and go fast at the same time. The corners this thing will take are unbelievable, I have had all sort of cars all inj the 70's .... Camaro, Firebird, Mustang (71 Mach 1)by far the best of all of those. This truck is by far the funnest to drive and handles way better than any of those GM turds.

------------------
1999 Black Lightning SVT all options, (Factory soft tonneau cover, 6 Disc CD, Class III towing hitch), Loyd one piece floormat (Fits well, looks good), Tail light covers (Killer painted black to match), Black spray in bed liner (looks very good), Windows tinted gray 15% on doors, Dark Limo on back glass, Ordered 1st truck 1/21/99 till salesman told me a $5000 premium would be added, On the same day ordered second truck 2/24/99 (BEFORE getting my check back), Took delivery 6/21/99 After MANY many MANY promised ETA dates, Build date of 5/20/99

 

Hi SVT
On the same topic if handlimg, I was wondering if you have heard of any suspension upgrades. The weakest quality of the lightning is the vague and numb steering. Maybe something similar to a camber change and maybe some ureathane bushings.

 

Hey guys, I agree with what you say. It's just that I think having the OPTION (i.e., either regular OR extended cab) of additional space would be cool - and the increased sales might help insure that SVT will continue with the Lightning program on a permanent basis and not wimp out on us after a year or two like they did in '95.

However, after just spending an hour and a half washing my beast, I'm leaning more toward a Ranger-sized truck anyway. <grin>

To answer the suspension question, I am not aware of any upgrades at present. There will probably be some in the not too distant future however.

Mike

 

Hey Guys,
I spoke with a guy,(If someone is really intrested,ill go back and get his e-mail) he put a Roush (sp) suspension on his Lightning. I dont recall the exact #'s, but it lowered an Inch or two and gave him some more "G's in the turns? He also had a hood with scoops installed. Said it helped cool everything inside the engine compartment? Any ideas on that? Mike, havnt forgot ya bud! Be talking at ya soon.


------------------
John Rock
99.5 White Lightning
Melbourne,FL

 

Does anyone know of a website that has aftermarket fiberglass hoods. I wouldn't mind getting a cowl induction style hood for my flareside. The ram air style hoods, I find are kind of useless, unless you have air induction setup off your hood. As for heat dispersion, where is the warm air suppose to go? Plus, aerodynamically, cowl induction has a lower drag co-efficient.

------------------
'98 F-150 XLT Reg. Cab Flareside 4x4, Black, 5.4l, 3.55LS, tow package, K&N, GTS headlight covers, Alpine changer w/FM mod, Clifford alarm system / Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

Hey F150SVT,
How about a wash, a cleaner on/off, polish on/off, and a wax on/off! It only took about 5 1/2 to 6 hours, using a buffer. although there were some small breaks in there, but it still took a long time.

------------------
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
PFA
'99 WHITE LIGHTNING
RHINO, Soft cover
LoJack
Valentine 1
Mobil 1



[This message has been edited by PFA (edited 03-25-2001).]

 

Hey PFA,

I've had my truck about 7 weeks (since July 3) but haven't polished it yet because I was waiting on my Invinca-Shield 3M Scotchcal film to be installed. Got that done a week ago and am just waiting for it to properly cure before doing my first 6 1/2 hour therapy session like yours.

If you like to keep your truck lookin' pretty, you can count on a constantly depressed state of mind if you: (1) have a black truck; and (2) live in Central Florida where it rains almost every day this time of the year. I've tried the Budwiser treatment but it didn't help much. Guess I'll have to step up the potency and prescribe myself a daily dose of Jack Daniels until the weather changes. A good excuse, anyway.

Mike Philpott
Black '99.5
A.R.E. Lid
BedRug Liner
Invinca-Shield
16% Window Tint
LoJack
Valentine-1