I would like to say hello to all the folks in the forum and especially the Lightning owners.

I have been close to purchasing a lightning all the way back to 95.

For one reason or another the purchase has never happened.

Anyway, the lightning bug has bit again and I hope to be checking out a 2001 with 61,000 miles next Friday or Saturday.

The dealership that has the truck is nearly 3 hours away so I would like to be prepared when I go!

Are there any issues with Lightning trucks that I should be aware of?

The salesman I spoke to made me concerned when he made a comment that Lightnings shift harder than a regular F150! He said it doesn't shift smoothly like a reguler F-150 and when it shifts it puts him back in the seat!

I still need to question if this happens when cruising normal or only at WOT.

Is that true? Do all lightnings shift harder than the regular F-150?

I like the truck enough to take a 3 hour ride and trade in a new 07' FJ Cruiser 4x4 with 6,000 miles so any advice would be appreciated!!!

If there are any other issues that you folks can bring to my attention that would also be appreciated!


Thanks

Charlie

 

Lightnings are tuned to shift firmer. They have most of the built in slippage removed from the shifts. This increases performance, plus reduces heat and wear on the cluthes. It is a desireable thing for those of us that like performance. Many of us have tuned our non Lightnings to shift the same way.

 

Sounds like a nice truck, a few things to look for, make sure the recalls have been done, im not a lightning guy so idk all of them but ill do what i can... lol. there is an intercooler recall, im not too sure how to tell if its been done. maybe a vin search. and there is a cruse control recall, you can see this one there is an electral plug on the break booster and the recall basicy add a fuse in to that, i suggest you do a search on this site for anymore. Look for any mods, Intake, Exhaust, and any others... I would see if they have the maintance record and find out a little infor on the previous owners, to see how it was driven and maintained... good luck on getting it, i hope you stick arround after you get it, i dont thing you will be dissapointed with a lightning... If you dont mind my asking, how much are they asking? post up some pics after you get her home...

 

Thanks for the reply's!

I'm relieved about the transmission. I wouldn't mind it shifting hard and if it throws me back in the seat I'll have a grin on my face from ear to ear.

The asking price is $14,995. The truck includes, remote starter, after market upper and lower grills, hard tonneau cover with speedster wing, Pioneer nav/dvd player, and 22" Harley Davidson wheels.

It looks clean from the pictures I have seen but as everyone knows, pictures don't tell the whole story.

Another question... If the dealer does not have the SVT paper work is there anyway I can find out what production number this is?

Thanks again for your help!

Charlie

 

Here are some pics. Comments either negative or positive is appreciated.







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looks decent shape, hows the undercarriage?

you can contact ford and they can get you a "new" build sheet

 

What state are you in? The price sounds accurate, and the truck looks nice. I've got a black 2000 with 75,000 on the OD, all put on by me. It has new ******* tonneau w/small wing or upturn, original wheels chromed (which I bought from Ford), all recalls performed, and a $2000. tune from Swanson Performance in Torrance CA. It now sports 385 real wheel horespower, at 407lbs of torque. Just curious, If you were looking for another option to buy, you might want to reply to me on this thread. I do not have it for sale, but thinking about it. It's been on the west coast it's whole life, and I have all the original paperwork and build certificate. Oh, and the shifting will definetly set you back in your seat. Good luck with whatever you wind up with...........Roger

 

Man thats one sexy truck. My fav color too. I will have one someday! I hope you get it, but not without talking him down from that price!

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I have to wait until this weekend to make the trip which is going to kill me. I wish it was around the corner!

I like the mods the previous owner(s) put into the truck. The 22" Harley wheels are 2" too big for my taste but I still like them!

Regarding the price, the dealer knows I'm interested enough to drive there 3 hours from NJ so I'm not sure how much leverage I have. That said, I am willing to walk away if we can't agree on the terms of my trade and the L or if I find anything major wrong with it.

Who knows, maybe I'll find one closer to home between now and then?

Charlie

 

i really like that bed cover, those look like the factory 20" harley rims off of a '00 -'03 model

 

I agree! I did a search last night and thought the same thing. Also, I'm wondering if it has been lowered?!?!

Can anyone confirm what size those rims are and if it looks like it has been lowered?


Charlie

 

I'd ask the dealer for a close up picture of the tires, those are the same rims I have my my '01, the rear of the Lightning loks like 2 inch drop shackles were installed.

the Lightning you are looking at appears to have the same wheelwell "gap" as my truck

here's a pic of my '01 it has lightning springs and rear 2 inch drop shackles

 

New Jersey eh? I have a nice stock 2004 with the SVT build certificate and factory window sticker with only 26,000 miles on it...

 

that truck is sooo sexy

if those are the 22s you can buy the truck and sell the rims and get enough to buy some different rims plus some other mods!

those 22s are pretty rare

 

Nice truck OD33! Good luck with that and welcome to the forum.