Let me preface this question by saying that I think the '99 Lightning is absolutely awesome. In a straight line it completely dominates the first gen. However, I have noticed from the magazine tests that the braking and cornering of the new Lightning appear to be slightly behind the old Lightning. I know that being an airchair racer by comparing magazine results is often erroneous because there are so many variables involved, but the magazines show the new Lightning braking from 70mph in 197 feet, vs. 184 feet for the old. This is especially suprising given the four wheel disks and four wheel ABS of the new vs. front disk/rear drum and rear wheel only ABS of the old. Regarding steady state cornering, the new Lightning registers .81g's on the skidpad vs. .86-.88g's of the old Lightning. Again surprising given the larger wheels and tires of the new.
I know you guys are all very proud of your new truck (and have every right to be) and right now you think that it is the best at everything, but new owners who also had a '93-'95, how does the new compare in handling and braking?

 

I think we need a race to make the determination of which generation is best! Maybe a track with a couple of long straight-aways so our superchargers have a chance to negate any purported shortcomings in cornering and breaking. BTW – mine turns and stops great.

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'99 Black Lightning

 

Dunno where you've been reading those numbers but Ford's are 60-0 137ft, 100-0 in 238ft, 100ft skidpad 0.85g. Motor Trend had it stopping 60-0 in 131 ft.

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Red 99.5 Lightning,#0975,Born 5/6/99...Adopted 5/27/99 SuperChip

 

there is only 1 variable that causes the first gen to out brake/out "g" the present, compared to the first, the present is a big fat overweight larda**

 

All in all given the chance to buy a 1st gen. truck with ZERO mile on it, or a 2nd gen. with the same. Even if they had the same price tag, I would take the 2nd gen. truck HANDS DOWN over the 1st gen. But I would love to have both. Since I think both are very nice, very collectable and the TWO BEST trucks ever built by any standards. Lets don't get into a pissing contest with each other when all those inferior trucks are trying to catch up to both generations. Let the Chevy boy's and Dodge dudes take that roll here. When your the LEADER its easy to be beaten by a follower that has the advantage of a starting point to work with.
SOMEONE HAS TO SET A STANDARD!!!!!! So here, We (both generations) are.

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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

 

'95LIGHTNING,

I believe the ‘99.5 Lightning is an excellent all around performer. But it does not handle as well as the original Lightning’s from ’93 - ’95. The steering responsiveness is not quite as good and as far as taking curves the ’99.5 doesn’t give you the same level of comfort as the ’93 - ‘95 model Lightning’s. My ’93 Lightning surprisingly takes curves as well as many sports cars. The wet weather handling however of the ’99.5 is much better than the older version. I also believe the ’99.5 Lightning does brake better on wet and dry pavement. For handling I’ll give the edge to my ’93 Lighting and for all out acceleration the bone stock ‘99.5 is the best with out question. The specs seem to agree with my seat of the pants assessment.

‘93 Lightning

Lateral Acceleration 300-ft.
Skid pad, g 0.88

Braking:
60 – 0 mph 143 ft.


’99.5 Lightning

Lateral Acceleration 100-ft.
Skid pad, g 0.85

Braking:
60 – 0 mph 137 ft.


------------------
'93 Lightning
(Black) #102
Tekstyle Cover, K&N Filter & McGard's

Soon:
SUPERCHIPS Chipped
********************
'99.5 Lightning
(White)
A.R.E. Lid
EGR Deflector
SUPERCHIPS Chipped

Soon:
K&N Filter

 

He got those numbers from the January issue of Car and Driver, with the lightning on the cover page. That is surprising to see, I never noticed that. I would say that MRBBQMAN is right. I'm pretty sure the 1st gen. weighed less than 4700lbs, but you still would think the 2nd gen. would have the edge.

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'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 w/keyless entry & starter disable // Future considerations: 285/75/r16 Mud Terrain BFG's, bed mat, tonneau cover, suspension lift.

 

I may not be qualified to comment on this thread as I have never driven a 1st gen Lightning, but I have driven a lot of sports cars and I find the handling to be excellent, especially on the highway.

We have a toll road here in Houston that has some of the meanest and most challenging on/off ramps I have seen. My 99 will hold tight thru a 35 mph turn at 90+ and not even make the tires sing.

I find the braking to be at least above average but have noticed that it can be a little vague, mainly because of the sheer wieght of this brute. But she does have the ability to make mit der go slow almost as well as she can make mit der go fast.

It may be inferior to the 1st gen in some respects, but they are both awesome vehicles and deserve the utmost respect (the Dodge boys and the Bowties are learning the hard way, for them, not us ;-))

Anybody know of an abandoned airstrip or road course track in the Houston area? I'd love to wring this truck out for real, drag racing is a blast, but road courses will tell the full tale.

Just my .02 worth,

------------------
Chuck 'Wyldman' Shelton
Black 99.5 Lightning
Superchip is installed, wow!
G-Tech/Pro is here!
SnugLid finally installed.
BedRug. Ford Duraliner for sale!



[This message has been edited by Wyldman (edited 09-02-1999).]

 

the first is 300-400lbs lighter than the 2nd, anybody know what a reg cab short bed 97-99 5.4l f150 non-lightning weighs?

 

I like them both the 99 has more power but the old one handles better.The braking is about the same but the new ones brakes would be alot better on a road course.I think it would only be fair to put a poweradder on the old one and then run them hehe.

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95Lightning(9psi boost)
NLOC MEMBER
Marcus Harrison

 

I owned a 93 Lightning and I do fel it stuck to the road better than My 99. I am still no where near as comfortable diving into curves with my 99. It does an acceptable job but...you'd think that they could have managed to at least match the 93 what with technology and all. I have owned and still own some cars that the 93 could hang with in the curves. It was quick for a shoebox (squareish) and handled sweetly. I Favored it over My merkur xr4ti's..even the one with the SVO upgrade with koni dropped suspension. I love those cars. However the 93 had a better viewing perspective. It was a great truck.
Still is for someone else. I do like the top end on the new one. The 93 had a flat spot just after the shift to third. Wish I still had it.It does out handle the new one...Have no doubts about that!
The new one seems to brake better. In My opinion. The steering is heavier due to the tire width I think.
Jeff C




[This message has been edited by Twisted99 (edited 09-02-1999).]

 

BBQMAN,

About 4200lbs, if that!! The lightning's suspension is soo heavy also.
What does the 1st gen Lightning run 0-60?

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Fast46Triton


1999 Ford F150 XLT Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2, 4 wheel disc brakes/4 wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Cloth Seats, Amazon green, 16" All season tires, Soft Tonneau Cover, CD Player, 4.6 liter Triton V8, 3:55 ls, towing package, 4 speed auto, K&N Airfilter
Future Mods:
1)Superchip
2)Airbox Mod
3)Gibson Exhaust

My new home page! I have a owner's gallery setup. Email me your pictures!
http://members.aol.com/polokid54/fseries.html

 

I wrang mine out on a back road one night on the way home from work as I seen it hit 140 I shut it down.... Just had to see if it would!!!!!

------------------
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

 

Hey I beleave 0-60 for the first one is about 7flat give or take some.I have hit a 4.99 on a G-Tec before with my mods.

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95Lightning(9psi boost)
NLOC MEMBER
Marcus Harrison