I doubt they will make any major changes. Sometimes changes are made to fix problems. The big differences between the 99 and the 2000 were making some options standard (CD Changer and hitch) and other stuff that is common to the F-150 (different tail lights and body colored mirrors).

 

Last fall I talked to a couple development guys who had driven '01 prototypes. Both would only say 'just wait'.

 

The only real change I have heard of (and this is strictly a rumor) is that there may be a 3 valve/cylinder head on the 2001 motors. I haven't heard any HP numbers yet.

As far as styling is concerned, I haven't heard of any significant changes.

Your chrome wheels look great!

The Wyldman

 

This is off the subject, but where did you get your chrome wheels? I'm looking for a place where I can send my stock wheels and have them plated instead of buying another set and having them plated. Do you know anyone who does this? Do you know what they charge? How much did your plating cost if I may ask? Thanks in advance for the info.

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1999 Red Ford SVT Lightning
Build Number: #2134
Build Date: 6-9-99
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Power Surge Performance Chip
Power Surge Performance Air Filter Kit
Dual 2 Chamber Flowmasters
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Other Cars:
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda 440 Six Pack
Dad's Car: 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe

 

Hey 99BLCKL..The wheels on your L appear to be chromed. Can you provide me some info...such as where you got them, price, how long you had to wait for return, if your happy with them etc ? I am currently considering the purchase of a L. If I do buy one it will definetly be black..and the first thing that I am going to want to do is obtain chrome wheels. The F150online store has them available but at a hefty price of 379.00 each. I have done a "search" on this website but didn't find any other options aside from the F150online store. Any info at all would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks for the complements... the wheels are great.
I will get you guys the name & number of the company I had do them.
They did a fantastic job on them, they have been on for 10 months now with no signs of any problems.
It took awhile at the time to get them plated because I was the first Lightning that came in for chroming...so they had to make the tooling off of my wheels.
If I remember right it ran around $600 and this included getting the caps chromed too... that cost was almost $100 of it!
This place does top quality work and is located out of Southern CA.
I will post the info just as soon as I can look it up.

Jeff

 

I heard there will be a minor increase in HP, probably on the intake air system. Also some cosmetic changes, such as lights and grills, no body panels.

 

I have been "lurking" here for a while. I am looking at buying a Lightning this fall. According to Blue Oval news (blueovalnews.com) The 01 will have a new grill, new front end with clear headlights, different taillights, new wheels, 375hp, upgraded brakes and some handling tweaks and last but not least a new color.
C5GalaxyEng

 

Horsepower rating are intregueing. If horsepower is rated at the flywheel, I believe the rule of thumb is that rear wheel HP is 20% less. Last year Hot Rod dynoed some stock cars and found the 300 HP Saville made, I think, about 23o at the rear wheels. The hot camero and firebird were very close at the rear wheels to the advertised HP. No 20% drop. If the L is making about say 320 HP at the rear wheels (stock) then 320=.8X where X=Flywheel Horsepower, then X=400. I don't believe that any car company has ever elaborated on their method of determining advertised Horsepower but it seems to me we could be anywhere from 320 to 400. It sounds pretty impressive to say this engine will dyno on the bench at 400 HP. Impressive.
Cigar

 

Have any of you heard of any possible changes between the '99/00 Lightnings and the 2001 models?

Engine,Suspension,Styling?

I have a '99 L and am thinking having some aftermarket things done to it, but if there are going to be some significant changes next year I may hold off and buy a 2001 model.

Jeff

 

I thought they had planned on implementing a plastic bed instead of steel. Was this a rumor or is it a strong possibility.

If anyone could shed some light on this that would be great.

 

In general, 20% drivetrain loss is normal for most cars, but on a '00 Lightning, the drivetrain loss is an astounding 11.2%.

And yes, I've double checked that number.

Gregg

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'00 Silver Lightning
"Ontario Rocket Sled"
Manufacturing Tech at Sharonville Transmission Plant

 

Last September on a DynoJet I got 355.9 bhp/440.6 lbs-ft with only a Superchip.
http://www.teamfme.com/news/item0045.html

In the #1 (off) position, it lost about 20hp + 20 #'. At 20% loss, 335hp becomes <400hp at the flywheel stock. Can it be so?

 

Hey DH, you know anything about the guy witht the 95 T-bird?? 437hp?? I have a '94 T-Bird SC and would like to talk to this guy if you happen to know an e-mail or anything.

 

Top

Anyone know any more on plastic beds in 2001?

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JB
JDBURKE@ball.com
PaceCar18@aol.com

• 91 GMC Syclone (Red)
• 91 Talon Tsi AWD
• 94 Mustang GT conv.
• Yamaha YZ 250

"Still waiting for lightning to strike"