Hey guys, hows it going? I don't post often but I was curious about how our trucks are doing in the snow......

We just got our first real snow fall today here in the Detroit area. Only a couple of inches but it is enough to make for a tough ride in a L' I would guess. I have already heard of one "lightning fatality" (must not have seen the sticker on the door post warning about traction in the snow)

Is there a good tire out there that will give decent control, if so, what has been your experiences so far???
Happy New Year all

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99 Lightning, Black, CD
changer, Downey SST tonneau, Class 3 hitch, Ford bed mat, tinted back window,clear headlight/ foglight lenses, Pioneer speakers.
DOB: 4-28-99, ordered 12-27-98
Build #694
My one really cool toy..
(except my Mercury Parklane "hobby")

SVT RULES THE ROAD!!!!!

 

Lightningkid:

Instead of $500 snow tires, I'd recommend a $500 p.o.s. car for the snow. Just a thought That's what I do. 1980 Ford Fiesta and it's all one color. Can't beat that $375. Cheap insurance, too.

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JIGAWATT SVT#2698
N.L.O.C. Member
4:10's
Bassani kit
TransGo shift kit
AIM 2 inch drop shackle

 

DONT take this personally but, lightnings are not made for the snow.if you want to drive in the snow buy a ski-doo. all kidding aside , buy a winter S!@#box. how dare you drive that precious piece of art in the COLD, WET,SALTY weather. the only time mine sees water is when i wash it.Lightnings are more than a truck, they are a way of life!

 

After living in Oregon, Sweden, Canada, New Jersey and Connecticut, I am sure glad I now live in Atlanta. With the exception of a week or so altogether considering snow and ice storms combined, I can safely drive my Bolt about 360 days a year and never have to worry about salt/sand/snow.

BTW, my northern beaters included several AMC Matadors, a couple of Chrysler Cordobas and some 4 cyl. Mustangs. As some of you have mentioned, cost about $300 each and I ran them for 6 months and took them to the junkyard in May. As long as the heaters worked (my only requirement) I was a happy camper.


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Bill Murray
99.5 Lightning
Oxford White
Bedrug/ARE LSII lid

Tow Package CD Player
Superchip
HobbyTownUSA Graphics
Identical 1/10 Scale Tamiya RC Truck incl. graphics.
Truck interest e-mail:
fastwhitey@myf150.com
4 heavy decals!
Kennesaw (Atlanta) Ga.

 

Sorry guys... I forgot to mention that I have a trusty Ford Escort to run in the winter. I was just curious about the snow handling because I have seen other guys around here running in the snow. Mine is high and dry untill March unless we have a nice dry-salt free spell

L8R

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99 Lightning, Black, CD
changer, Downey SST tonneau, Class 3 hitch, Ford bed mat, tinted back window,clear headlight/ foglight lenses, Pioneer speakers.
DOB: 4-28-99, ordered 12-27-98
Build #694
My one really cool toy..
(except my Mercury Parklane "hobby")

SVT RULES THE ROAD!!!!!

 

I am driving a 89 Buick Regal, got it from a friend for the price of new tires (Until his boy turns 16 next June). Quite the babe magnet I might add. Any serious driving though we take the better halfs 99 Ranger. I love shoveling the white sh*t in Michigan.
Jim

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'99 Red #2394, NLOC #342
Superchip, Black Rhino,
Window Tint,Clear fog lens covers

[This message has been edited by Trimble (edited 12-28-1999).]

 

Hey Guys

Temp. today was 70 degs. Took Lightning out for a 40mile drive and cruised along the highway. We have 20mi straightaways and most of the time dont even worry about HP(trooper) Drove at average 100mph and opened it up to peg. The digital trick doesnt work. Mine reads to high. What a bonding me&L had today. wish it would snow so I could get the Powerstroke out. Happy New Year Lightnins..

 

I drive my Lightning every day, rain or shine, because its mine. I couldn't handle not driving it. 1st I had to wait for it to get here from Seatle via barge (3 1/2 weeks), then I could only drive for less than a week before the snow flew. 3 weeks later I found a deal on 17" steel rims AND wintermaster studded tires for $800! I know I have upset some fellow Lightning owners, but hey you only live once, live it quick, live it in a Ford Lightning!

Oh I almost forgot, I'll be driving down the Alcan to Vegas commencing the third of Jan, 2000. When I get to Seatle, I'll have the slicks back on after a 4500 mile vacation.

Sorry to make this long, but there are atleast 4 other Lighnings up here, none are the fast color though (black), and none like the winter.

99 Black Lightning
All stock, rhino lined, underlined, all 3 options.

 

white IS the fastest color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol lol lol lol

 

I have noticed a few problems with the Lightning and slippery conditions. I believe I am going to have to take in account the extra weight of the truck before I try to tackle a Michigan winter in it. I had driven my Cobra through 2 winters and have not had a problem with it, but the Lightning just seems a little more unforgiving with "sudden" stops on frosty/snowy roads. I do have a beater, but it is in Texas and I dont really have a good way to get it back here right now..
So wish me luck, and I will keep my insurance payments up to date!

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Jim
96 Black Cobra,
K&N,OffRoad H-Pipe
NitrousExpress 150 shot
Soon to have a stroked 351W
1999.5 Black Lightning
No Mods yet
www.milleniamusic.com

 

I got some 16x7" steel wheels off an expedition and Wintermaster Plus tires on mine for the winter. Today in MI it didn't seem to be too bad, although it is the first of the season.

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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
PFA
'99 WHITE LIGHTNIN'
#0873--1 of 866--
RHINO, Soft cover
LoJack
Valentine 1
Mobil 1
Superchip
Water Wetter
Phantom Boost Gauge
Best ET to date-13.54 @101.51MPH--10/29/99
best MPH to date-102.33

'98 Red Lincoln Continental

 

I use my L as an everyday driver. Last night I just got back from Sudbury Ont, where I spent the Xmas holidays. If you plan on dirving these beasts in the winter, top of the line snow/ice tires are a MUST. Don't even think of using all seasons or mud tires. I have put on a set of Bridgestone winter duelers and they are very impressive, even without putting any weight in the back. I must have passed 8 vehicals in the ditch on my way up (most of them pick ups or 4x4's of variouse makes). The trip was 400 Km and it took me 7 hours to get back due to blizzard like conditions. Lots more cars/trucks in the ditch.

These tires are good, but you still need to drive smart. No tire, no matter how good will keep you out of trouble if you are not carefull with the throttle. Our L's can overpower any type of tire on surfaces with questionable traction. I had a few close calls giving it a little to much juice on black ice when trying to speed up. I didn't even realize there was black ice as the ABS did not kick in when slowing down due to how well these tires woork on ice. When I use the throttle lightly I just drove away on the ice without any problems, while other people with their all season tires sat there and spun, escpecially on the hills.

Drive smart and even in the winter we can enjoy our trucks. Lots of fun to be had late at night in big open snow covered parking lots as well

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99 Lightning in Pull me over Red.
Still stock except for a set for Bridgestone P245/70/R16 Winter Dueler's, on steel rims.
Email me at cruecibahl@home.com

 

I have to also drive mine in the winter up here in Canada. It hasn't been to bad yet and I try not to take it out on the real nasty days.

That 350$ winter beater equation just doesn't add up. Unless you get real lucky, that car can become a nightmare of unreliability and unstability. I'll just play it safe and drive my truck. I enjoy it more this way.

Right now I have the Winter Dueler tires on in with 16" steel wheels (225/70/16) They work great. A couple of weeks back I got caught in a freak snowstorm. I was in sheer terror because I still had the F-1's on! Oh well...I made it back without incident. Taught me a lesson though on being prepared.
As far as salt and ice go, this is a non-issue with me. I frequently wash the truck with care and had the body oil-sprayed with Rust Check. I will continue to have this done every year as a precautionary measure. It works very, very well! My father's 89 Chev Blazer has over 230,000KMS on it and has been through the harshes of winters. With the regular applications of the oil spray underneath, it still looks immaculate!!!!

Besides....how much fun is in doing donuts in a fiesta.....!!!!

;-)

Paul G.

 

I installed 4 Bridgestone Winter Dueler (“the Blizzak for light trucks”) tires on my Lightning, size 225/75R-16 to keep the tire diameter as close to the original 295/45-18 as possible. The Tirerack (www.tirerack.com) had some Navigator cast aluminum take-off wheels that were only ~$5 more per wheel than the steel wheels, so I got them. No hubcaps were included. Total cost mounted, balanced and shipped UPS 2nd day: $628.

I made a 2x8 treated lumber 'crib' for the bed and loaded in 5 - 80 pound bags of salt. With the A.R.E. lid and a bed liner I figure the total added weight at ~550 pounds.

I got around OK during the first snow. Not as good as I'd hoped, but I'm sure a LOT better than then if the F1's were still on it. I tried shifting into 2nd a couple times on slick uphills (which starts you off in 2nd) and that seemed to help.

I find I have to stay out of the supercharger except on dry pavement or the rear end gets VERY loose.