Howdy to all.

I've been aching to get a Lightning since they came out. I've test driven a couple and love the performance and all aspects of the truck.

The only thing holding me back from writing the check is the lack of AWD/4WD. I regularly tow a pair of snowmobiles up to Wisconsin (from the Chicago area) and need something that can handle the snowy conditions that I often seem to be in.

My question is how well does the L handle in the snow with/without snows? Are snows, the LSD, and a few hundred pounds in the bed going to be able to get the job done for me with almost 2000lbs in tow?

I traded in my old truck, a 2wd open diff Ranger, because it couldn't handle it. So, I don't want to be in the same boat again.

Thanks,
-Colin

P.S. What is the real world mpg for these trucks? I'm figuring that I'll probably be around the same as my Ranger at 14/18. True?



------------------
'98 Ranger 4x4 4L - I&E
'99 SVT Contour - stocker

 

you absolutely cannot drive these trucks with the summer tires in the dead of winter. thats the first thing. you must change to narrower winter tires.the second thing is that no two wheel drive car will be as good as a four wheel drive in the snow. the lightning even less so because of the extra power. if you must have really really good towing power in the worst conditions, a lightning is not the correct choice. now having said that, i wouldnt drive any other vehicle.

 

Umm "absolutely cannot drive these trucks with the summer tires in the dead of winter"

That's not true. I would not recommend it but it can be done. I got through the whole winter in MI with the summer tires on it. Again...it was bad, real bad at times and I would not recommend it. But to say that it absolutely cannot be done is flat out wrong.

Expect 14/16 for mileage.

If you need to be towing snowmobiles in the winter this would not be the first vehicle I would recommend. But I know people who have done it, so while not ideal, it is possible.



------------------
2000 Red Lightning
BedRug
95 Saleen S-351 Convertible/Triple Black
97 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic

 

Hmmmmm...The term 'pig on rollerskates' comes to my mind for some reason. I really wouldn't recommend towing sleds with an L. Just my opinoin.

Later,
Jake...

 

I also had to drive my L during the past winter (only vehicle). It wasn't fun, and I didn't like to do it. But, it can be done.
We didn't have a large amount of snowfall this year, so that helped too. However, I did manage to get caught in a suprise snowstorm. Had a long drive to make on very bad roads in heavy traffic. Finally made it 3 hours after I started. Only came close to losing control once, and didn't get stuck at all.

 

Drove mine all winter w/no issues....



------------------
Rich
1999.5 SVT Lightning - Red. 100HP Shot NOS, NGK TR6 Plugs, BellTech 3/4 drop, Ford MotorSport Chrome Lightning wheels, Super Chip(TRAC). K&N Filter. Viper Alarm w/remote start, Sir Michael's roll pan, smooth corners and steps w/billet inserts, clear corner lenses, Cervinis Ram Air hood, ARE Cover w/ wing, Momo billet pedals, cd changer, cover, Phantom boost and nitrous gauges, MTX Thunderform w/ 2 10" MTX Thunder 4000 subs. 5-channel 500w. Clarion amp.(APA5241), (4)Polk Audio 3-way, 130w. DX 7's, Color-matched Muth signal mirrors, Soundproofed cab, BedRug, Trenz billet grills, Piaa 9007 Super Whites, etc. Build #2755
TampaSVT@Tampabay.rr.com

http://home.tampabay.rr.com/tampasvt/

2001 Lexus IS-300
2001 EB Expedition

 

Hmmm.... Doesn't sound promising. It sounds like I'm gonna have to either pay off the Ranger and buy a used L or get a BBK Instacharger for my Ranger to fulfill my speed cravings.

Thanks for the replies.

------------------
'98 Ranger 4x4 4L - I&E
'99 SVT Contour - stocker

 

Do what I did, suck it all up and buy it.

The first time I heard the whine of the S/C and it shot off with my 140lb body being thrown back into the seat and rush through your whole body kinda like a rollercoaster, made it all worth it.

Plus the reaction of everyone helps to.

 

Do a search on winter tires. There are a lot of positive comments.

I've run Bridgestone Winter Dualers the past 2 winters with 500 pounds of salt (in bags) in the bed and had no problems. If you get into the boost too far, you'll spin them, but other than that, they're great. I've towed with them too. No problems.

you'll LOVE a Lightning!

------------------
'99 Black Lightning #1212 5/12/99

 

You guys are making this decision tough!

------------------
'98 Ranger 4x4 4L - I&E
'99 SVT Contour - stocker

 

And on the 4th. day of owning a new L, Rick learned about winter driving one. Two days before this, I was driving in terrible rain about 2-3" deep on the highway.


------------------
Rick
'01 Red Lightning Ordered 11/30/00
Built On 2/20/01
Arrived at Dealer 3/19/01
Picked Up 4/5/01
Mods:
Downey SST
BedRug

 

All will be fine....

I'd lay off the LSD though (when in the snow that is).....


.

 

Move SOUTH!

------------------
2001 Lightning, silver, bot/picked up on 05/08/01, 1997 f150 xlt 4.6L 4x2 with: a/f one fipk, superchip, optima battery, bbk 75mm throttle body, edelbrock ias shocks--2001 lightning to come(she came--see above)

 

First off I live right by you in orland park and let me tell you that driving this truck in the snow around here is no fun, unless you have snow tires on the truck, and you can also get a detuned program made on your chip designed just for towing your sled's. this will help out allot. A stock L can tow 5000 and probably more! I drove mine in the snow the first winter I had it and still had the stock tires on. with 600 pounds of sand in the back too! It wasn't fun at all, but just for chits and giggles this winter I threw on a set of regular f150 tires that I have at my wharehouse, and the truck really drove pretty good. nothing like a 4 wheel drive truck, but much much better then I ever thought it could.

There's not a day that goes by that I don't love that truck, even when its broke sometimes.

------------------

 

Saleen,
How the heck do you get 14/16 mpg???? Try 11/14, unless you're getting a tow-downhill.