I don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but I'm not quite sure how I'd feel about plastic boxes. Sure, the weight would be down, so the Lightning could haul a little more (wood or butt, you choose).

However, I don't think I like the idea, but I'm not planning on racing. I am buying a truck first...then a badbutt sports vehicle. The greatest way to get the best of both worlds, so to speak. Anyway, here's the link. Lemmie know what you think.

http://blueovalnews.com/2001_platicbox.htm

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2000 Silver Lightning on Order

[This message has been edited by AirBurps (edited 03-19-2000).]

 

asfdasf

 

i wish they would make the entire truck out of plastic. it would be lighter and faster, no dents and dings. in the event of a collision, no one fixes anything anyway, replace whats damaged. anyone seen the insurance rates on a totally aluminum body car?

 

Yeah, but we're talking about a truck here. If I wanted a plastic vehicle, I would buy a Saturn.

 

It's not just Ford, the Bow-Tie Boys are gonna get the same treatment.

The Wyldman

 

I have some "trucks" at the office. my 99 SD w/PSD has steel fenders, steel hood, big chrome steel bumpers, unlike my "L" which already has fiberglass fenders, aluminum hood, plastic covered bumpers. i don't see the big deal on a plastic bed that is going to be covered with some kind of protection anyway (bedrug,rhino, etc)

 

Think weight, think weight again then think EPA, then CAFE and then think about the intrepid legislators we keep sending to Washington who come up with these wonderful programs
Then read the post about 2000 L's being delayed because Ford had too many low mileage vehicles in production and had to make some more high mileage ones before returning to Lightnings and other desirable vehicles. A true Market Driven Mechanism if ever I saw one. Been there, done that, and it drove me and my fellow auto execs nuts.

Bill

 

BBQ,

Whatsamatta with good ole American steel?

Actually, you make a good point, but I have to agree with Bill on the weight issue. Of course, I haven't any numbers on how much weight will actually be shed with a plastic box, but don't we already have problems with the lack of it back there? Sure they may be able to produce a plastic box with the necessary weight, but that may actually increase the cost of the truck. I dunno. JMHO

 

That explains how Ford gets 15 more HP out of the 2001 L. Glad I'm getting a 2000.

Andy
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Red '00 L On Order
(ETA: 4/17/00)




[This message has been edited by Andy Maus (edited 03-19-2000).]

 

Theese plastic box's are a great idea, there not the whole rear of the truck, just the bed where you would throw things into if you were hauling. I saw one of theese box's on a 2001 SportTrac. I couldint be happier, this plastic is so ahrd you could throw anything in there and it looks great as well, maybe 1.5" of SMC plastic. I imagine in the future all truck beds will be like this, its lighter way more durable and looks better. If you havint seen one yet then go find a Explorer SportTrac near you. And the people that sue the trucks for work purposes tis a god send its way more tough then and bedliner or spray in, you could literally toss cinder blocks onto it from outside the truck w/o any damage except a plastic crease, maybe.

 

Read an article a while back that said Ford lost big money, on every escort produced. and every manufacturer does to meet their mileage commitments. they simply tag the losses onto the guzzlers (trucks/SUV's). so when you see a factory special on those econoboxes, those guys are selling too many trucks. so anything they can do to lighten them or get better mileage, will save us some bucks, and we lightning guys (and gals) know what to do with those extra bucks anyway, right? regain traction for that lighta** bed, get rid of factory mileage gains with hi perf computer wizardry. heat up plastic bed with heat gun and stretch fiftyish fins and other custom shapes. i've been on this lightning list for a year now, and i have confidence that this group can modify anything SVT can produce.

 

what the h@*# are they thinking. the back of these trucks are light enough. You go and make it lighter and you would never get any traction, especially if its wet blacktop road.

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TAZMAN
2000 F-150 XLT Ext. Cab.4.2L V6 5 speed manual,3.55 gear 4X2 Toreado Red,Tinted windows,Flowmaster Dual Exaust. K&N filter, Two 10'' Kickers w/4 channel Kowler amp under back seat.