What's going on all? I currently own a '01 SVT Mustang Cobra, and a '03 SVT Focus ZX3, a '95 F-150 FlareSide, a '90 Mustang LX 5.0 H.O., and I am currently looking at a '02 SVT F-150 Lightning. I was just currious if all the Lightning Pros out thier had any pointers in what to look for on a SVTL. I found a '02 with 43k, 20" chrome rims, DVD, remote start, 2" lower rear, 1" lower front, soft turno cover, for $20k. It is a few states away, but I have seen several pictures, it looks real sharp, the guy is haveing a kid, wife wants to get a FX4. What do you think? Anything I should look for?

 

Not a pro here but some tips I can offer (you might already know these). I paid for a CARFAX/OASIS report to get an idea of the trucks ownership/recall, etc. history. I also preferred as close to bone stock as possible (blower/crank pulley swapped, chipped, etc.)

Price looks good IMHO, considering that a few cosmetic/audio mods are already on the truck. Good luck on adding another SVT to your stable

 

I agree with "kromdom"... Up in Northern VA you can find a few like that with even less miles and bone stock... But they always want the arm and leg with that... I see them from 29 to 18 g's 2001 to 2003... Good luck on another SVT... I wish I had that problem of to meny SVT's... I know you can never had to much though...

Jeramie

 

Sounds like you have quite a collection there. Assuming this is going to be your first Lightning you want to start off on the right foot. They are awesome trucks indeed but here are some things/flaws you want to watch out for. 1999-2000 have leaky intake-intercoolers and that can be a horrible mess. All Lightnings from 1999-2002 eject spark plugs due to only 4 threads holding them into the head. 2003 and 2004 have newer revised heads with 8 threads holding them in. If I were you I'd pony up the cash and buy a 2003 or 2004 with low miles and no modifications. I'm on my 2nd Lightning now, and it's a 2004 with 15k on the clock. I payed around 30 g's for it, but it's worth every penny, and hasn't been molested at all. My previous 2001 was nothing but trouble as it had ejected 2 plugs and someone had modified the tranny and it was also going out. It also developed an engine knock due to a custom tune and an overdrive pulley that were not compatible, combined with a few years of being abused by the previous owner. I never would have known any of this by looking at it when I bought it. I'm glad I got rid of it when I did, as a matter of fact I made the selling dealer buy it back from me and sell me the 2004. Good luck, and I'm sure you will love it when you make that decision to buy. Just beware of abused ones, and pre 2003 trucks. BK

 

Just becuase the pre-'03 lightning ahve 4 threads on teh spark plug holes, doesn't mean that it is going to spit a plug.

IMO, a majority of those that are spit, are not properly maintained. I check mine on a regular basis to assure tightness that I use a torque wrench to spec. It can be a PITA, but the peace of mind is worth it.

 

...LOL, lets not start a new spark plug thread here, the fact is that it does happen, and if I were to ever do it again I would have never bought a used 2002 or older truck and that is why. I'm not implying that its anyone's fault or even Ford's fault that they come out, just that it happens. Mine actually had one in each head, and there is no way of knowing on a used one if it has ever been repaired, or if it was repaired properly. Just helping a potential new buyer make a wise decision, as I wish someone would have done for me before I stepped into my fiasco with my 2001. Still great trucks, just that the '03 and newer have fewer unexpected mechanical failures. BK

 

Wow, much better tips then expected, but exactly what I wanted to here. Thank you all.

To tell you the truth I really wanted a newer SVTL anyways, and I think your comments have helped me decide I am just going to have to keep looking for a steel on a '03 or newer. I can only imagine the PITA it is to have your plugs bounceing around your hood. Is thier any other changes made to the newer years? Any Mods I should stay AWAY from? Thanks for the help.

p.s. My Wife put her foot down... I'm selling my '95 FlareSide, but she said I have to get rid of one of the Mustangs before I get a SVTL. I really can't complain, I have a 2 car straight drive way, and 4 cars a H/D 883 and a trailer, pluss I want to get a SVTL... lol So to keep my SVT line up, good by to the '90 Had some good fast times with her. (My buddy is buying it, so I still get to drive it. mwahahaha)

 

..make sure you also get the buy-back rights! lol, It's worth it. I've learned that you can't keep em when you're dead, and if you keep em until you're dead you'll never have anyhting else. ...unless you're rich of course. I'd rather say I had one and had to get rid of it than to say I never had one. Oh, and My 2004 is pretty much identical to my 2001 except for a few odd-ball options, like the 04 has an in-dash 6-changer instead of behind the seat, the glove box handle is in the middle instead of on the side, and OH, the rear end of the 04 is much higher because they added to the payload. I used the springs from my old 2001, and a bell-tech drop shackle (2"?) and it's perfectly level now. The '04 is about 2" higher in the back than the 01, but the front is the same. If I were you I would do what I did and put 01 rear springs and the 2" shackles if you want to level it out, that way you keep the pinion angle and it rides smoother too. Good luck!! BK

 

My biggest tip would be to BE PATIENT. I looked for months before I found the one I was looking for. And I payed 23K for an 03 with 18000 miles.

You are in a good area for deals.

Have fun.

 

I could not resist this one guys! Check it out, and only 16K!

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=6722

It has some mods that you can see, but also has a 12lb pully, 70MAF, K&N, Ported intake / heads, Preditor Tune, and Flowmasters.

Wow this truck is sharpe! I can not wait to pick it up.

I still have to sell my '95 FlareSide if any of you are interested, $6,100.00 OBO.

 

Well, It's a nice truck. Did they put the proper thread inserts in when they redid/ported the heads? Has the internal intercooler been replaced? How many miles are on the rig? I'm not sure what a 2000 is worth, I would imagine a lot less than an '03 or newer. Remeber also that although the vehicle may have had the factory flaws repaired, the fact that it had the flaws makes that year worth less in resale value. Don't mean to be a pessimist, just lookin out for ya. ...Either way, welcome to the club if and when you get one. BK

 

The motor was sleeved, not sure about the intercooler, you know an easy way to check? I can not wait to pick it up, I fly down thier saturday to drive it home! 13 hr drive, and looking forward to it.

'95 FlareSide lowered to $5800.00 OBO

252-671-7637

 

Looks Hot, CONGRATS AND WELCOME

 

Bought my plain ticket today, flying down to Hollywood, FL to pick her up saturday, and I am going to enjoy every last minute of the 13 hr drive back up to Cherry Point, NC!!!


And thanks Rob, and everyone else too. So far everyone on here has bean very helpfull in this purches. Man I can't wait to get in her!

 

COOL!

I did the same thing, bought mine in Arizona and flew over, picked it up and drove it back to California. So I know how you are feeling right now. I was so jacked up I couldn't wait to get in the thing and drive!
Check it out good though. Mine had a few issues that were not disclosed and could not be seen in pictures. I made them come down quite a bit in price before I drove it home.
I still look forward to my drive to work each morning. (I sometimes wish it was more then 5 miles).