A while back I posted some messages about my decision to get a Lightning or customize a Chevy Silverado. Well, my patience wore out waiting for the 2001 Lightning that I ordered, and I bought a 2001 Chevy Silverado, 5.3 liter standard cab, stepside. Before you all rip me a new one, let me thank you all for an awesome forum. I know I will never smoke any of you in a race, but I am gonna have some fun customizing my Chevy and when I'm done it would be fun to hang with some of you Lightning boys in my neihborhood.



24 grand out the door. I added 18X9 Ultra Moto wheels with 285/50/18 Pirelli Scorpion Zero Tires for about 2 grand. Another grand to lower it with a Belltech 2/4 drop kit. That leaves me about 8 grand more to spend in mods. We all know that it'll take a lot more than that to make it quicker than a bolt, but it'll be fun trying...

Thanks again all,
Jeff

 

Other than the lightning, I personally like chevy trucks better for many reasons.
1.comfort
2.power
3.styling
4.resale
5.ergonomics

What I think is funny is I did the same thing,Same time of year,Same color,motor,whole 9 yards.Let me tell you how i ended up.

I allocated a Lightning in nov of 1997 when they pronounced a production date.My order went in on the first Lightning ordering day in Nov of 1998.I waited til January and i could not wait any longer,I figured it was cheaper,i like the 5.3,It was new styling and was wicked comfortable.I bought a black 5.3 shortbox silverado.I put 17 inch weld wheels,lowered 2+4,programmer plus,dual flowmaster exhaust.iwas into the truck for $21,900
$2,000 wheels
$250 lowering
$300 Programmer
$200 exhaust
_____________________
About $25000

I love the chevy and then the 99 white Lightning I ordered showed up at my dealership.I refused it,They dropped the price to $27995 and I immidiatley bought it and never looked back.
I still love the new and older chevy's though.Believe it or not,A 5.3/3.73 with a locker might not be as fast but is has great throttle response and is probally a little more fun due to the "not caring as much" because its not a Limited production.On the street its not that much slower if you tweak it.I had mine doing 14.6 with the mods listed.NO BAD!!! I raced a lightning on the street and although he beat me,It was very slight all the way from 0-70 and then 50-128 where my tuck shut off.You would be surprized how well that chevy will go with a couple of bolt ons.Dont expect to come close at the track though

[This message has been edited by Lightningquick (edited 12-13-2000).]

 

Wash n Wax
Even though I'm a true Ford man and would NEVER buy a Chevy, those are nice looking trucks. Truck looks good with mods so far. Have you thought about loosing the chrome bumpers and going for a monochrome look?

------------------
2000 Black Lightning, Snuglid
Custom Bed Carpet
Clear Corners, Lightning banner
Tinted Windows, Custom air intake
2" drop, VTech Taillight covers.
NLOC #377
Build Number 1405/4966
DOB 3/21/00
See pics of '00BlackLightning at:
http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294555843

 

Hey I'm not a die hard ford guy.

I only bought my truck cause I fell in love with it at first site. I might talk some nasty chevy trash but that just come's with the window sticker. I've had a chevy, pontiac, and a lexus. Who really cares, as long as you love your vehicle, thats all that matters. We'll party anytime, But you know I gonna whoop that chevy A$$. HAHHAHAHAHA

 

I have always been a Chevy guy and agree the Chevy is superior in comfort, etc but the 99 and up is BUTTUGLY!! If I didn't think that I would have done the same as you, Washnwax. Put a Vortech on that thing and it will run good. I was in need of a truck about the time the G2 came out and it was the only new truck on the market I would have and they were going way over sticker, so I got a 88 Chevy and put in a 96 LT1, digital dash, etc. I was still driving it when I bought the L and in a lot of ways I wish I would have just kept it. If you customize a truck to your tastes you generally will be happier with it. Just my .02

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2000 Silver L #4906
Best 1/8th mi stock:9.13
Best with R9 and 5,000 mi: 8.67
1995 Stang : (wifes'car) 12.30 1/4 mi
1972 Skylark: 7.16 1/8, 6.70 on the bottle

 

Sure if you can keep up and don't mind always following.
noelvm

 

Wash n Wax
A buddy of mine has a Silverado it is a nice truck. The only thing I do not like is the steering wheel. I like the rims you put on looks sharp.
Check out this link maybee they have a supergarger for your truck. If they do I bet it would really screem.
http://www.magnacharger.com/gm_5_7.htm

[This message has been edited by Don C (edited 12-13-2000).]

 

Would that happen to be at the 76 station that has the carwash next to Topange Plaza?
k

 

Don't care for your truck but I must say those are some NICE wheels. I think I might have wheel envy!

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99 Black#1940, Modified Airaid box, Pro-M 80, Swanson Chip, Wet Okole's, Loud Clunk, Bedrug, Clear corners, 2" Aim drop, 2nd set well worn F-1's, 135 W Xenon Fog Lamps, Red Line Water Wetter, That's all folks!

 

Here is another forum you might enjoy:
http://www.pacific-audio.com/perform...iscussion.html
I have a 99 Sierra SLE ex-cab (only mod is exhaust) and I really like it. I hope you enjoy your new plaything

------------------
www.dragracer.cc
Kristi
Drag racer and opinion-giver extraordinaire!
~Black '00 Lightning
R9 Superchip, Airaid on the way.
13.43@101.5 1.95 60ft
~1966 Chevy II Wagon
434 SBC, Powerglide, 5.13
~2000 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ
~1999 GMC Sierra
5.3L, 3.73, ex-cab, Gibson exhaust
*Any questions?*

 

Man I love the Black and Chrome Look! Nice truck. I like anyhting that looks good. I just bought my 2000 Silver L 3 weeks ago. love it. If there was no Lightning, I would have bought the Chevy. Owned a mercury, Chevy Monte Carlo, 2 Chevy berettas, Tahoe, Dakota RT, and now the L. First Ford for me. Good luck with the ride.

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Jason Beard 2000 SVT LIGHTNING Silver Frost Metallic

 

while i think you messed up by not waiting a little longer for that 2001 L, the chevy truck you bought is really nice lookin! --and i am a FORD MAN!...

...those side mirrors would look a lot better painted black to match the body and smoked windows.....GL with the truck any which way.

 

um...NO!

 

Wash n Wax,

I've always been a die-hard Chevy man. I felt like a traitor the day I drove my new L home and I couldn't stop looking at the Ford emblem on the steering wheel. It almost made me sick because I sold my first car, a prisine Vette, and a loaded '99 Xtreme to buy the L. The sickness quickly wore off and I love my new Ford so much I'll never get rid of it.

I still like the Chevy trucks though in the way they perform, their general quality and their resale value. I plan on keeping my L forever, but if Chevy comes out with a faster hot-rod, I'll buy one to boot. It seems to me that Chevy has always had more "goodies" available than Ford. Too bad. So yes, if we ever meet up, I'll talk to you.

------------------
Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
J.L. Single program
J.L. Stage II ram-air

 

Damn! I wanted to hang out with BulldogSVT...

Kobiashi, yes...that's my 76.

For the rest of you, thanks for the suggestions and support. My next mod will be an exhaust and then some more cosmetic stuff. Any of you Lightning guys (or girls) who live in my neighborhood are welcome to come to my car wash and talk horsepower. I'll even throw in a free wash if you tell me you're on the boards. Remember...clean black trucks are the fastest...