Im going to trading up my reg cab flareside 5.4 for a lightning this summer.

I havent seen too many lightning at over 100K so im kinda worried to buy one with more than 60K on it. What goes out on these trucks first? I heard rumors about superchargers, because roots make alot of heat. I really wouldnt want to pin the pedal to the floor and hear something break the first day i have it. Is there anything that i can check for when i go look at the truck? it will most likely be a 1999-2001

THanks
Greg

 

All the regular buying tips are fine, but I'd ask about mods installed, check wheel wells for toasted tire scraps, ask for mantainance reciepts, and for piece of mind run a car fax.

 

Greg,

I think the reason you don't see that many high mileage lightnings is because they are expensive to run as daily drivers and I think alot of people tend to own them as toys or secondary vehicles. I don't think it is because they break at higher mileage.

I'm on my second one and (knock on wood) they seem very tough....as long as the mods are kept reasonable and you don't beat it all day long. It has proven a much tougher truck than my 2005 Silverado SS was. I think Ford did this one right.

 

These trucks are built well, like others have said, these are specialty vehicles that most people take pride in and keep maintained, some only drive at the track or on weekends. Just check which mods are installed and run a carfax. I bought my 2002 truck for $21,500 with 17k miles. I had to replace minor things suck as pads and fuel filter, battery, maintanence items, but overall have had to replace nothing major unless i was doing upgrades. Pretty tough truck with alot of potential to be tougher!

 

Well, This is going to be my daily driver. Y are they expensive to operate?? gas milage wise? I get about 13 mpg now so i dont thing there could be that big of a difference in havng a ligtning. Maybe that u have to run 91 fuel in it which i dont mind, would you not recomend a lightning as a daily driver. I wont be adding any mods to it when i get one, maybe an exhaust but that about it.

 

Before getting an exhaust, I would get a CAI, 4LBR and a tune.

 

whats a cai and a 4lbr?? like i said im not looking for a 500hp truck. I just want something that gets up and goes. Ive modded out my current f150 enough and im kinda tired of all the work. I spent nearly 10 hours doing a set of headers. Im done with that.

 

DO WHAT EVER YOU WHAT!
If you are tired of working on vehicles than you should look into something other than a Lightning.

Lightnings are more fun the all the bolt on's.

 

CAI= cold air intake
4lb'er= 4lb lower SC pulley.
Those in combination with a tune should net you 380-400hp/450-500tq at the wheels depending on tune and dyno..

if you get a 99-00 take the vin to a dealership and have an oasis report on it to make sure it's had the intercooler repaired. The problem was fixed for good in 01 though. Also be prepared for 10mpg if you do a lot of city driving + premium gas only. good luck.

 

I drive my '04 every day to work on the Los Angeles Freeways and get about 14 mpg. I also drive it over to Havasu and get up to maybe 16mpg doing around 80-85mph.
I have 55,000 mi on the truck and it hasn't had a bit of trouble. I've replace tires and had a brake job.
My only mods are a K&N air filter , lowered, twin 10" sub-woofers and have air bags for when I tow my 5-6,000# boat.
I get on it once in awhile but don't race it.
The dealership mechanics and advisors say they haven't seen any problems with the trucks if they are maintained. They refer to it a bullet proof. Not sure if I'm buying that line but so far so good for me.

Hope that helps.

Bill

 

Hey I might be selling my truck this summer. Let me know if your interested, contact me at rawaggon@usc.edu

My truck is a silver 2001. It really is like new condition: 24,000 California miles, Bassani Stainless CB, FTVB, brand new nittos (600 miles on them), and completely Dynomatted (can't hear anything but blower from the inside).

 

Oh, and I also have a CAI and Electric Fans (Flex-a-lite dual).

 

Sorry, one last thing. Oil changed every 3k with Mobil 1 Synthethic as well a Mobil 1 Sythethic ATF in trans with 4x4 pan.

 

Hey, congrats on making the switch over to the lightning, you won't be disapointed. There are some nice ones on here, and also nloc.net, and svtperformance.com, usually with some mods, but if you are looking for a stock one I would check out autotrader.com. I got my 00 for about 14K off autotrader. Good luck

 

eBay is also a great place to look. Thats where i got my 100% stock truck from. I would be very patient though. I had to pass up about 7-8 trucks before i found the one that was right for me and my pockets.