hi, im getting ready to purchase a new truck and was looking at 07-up sierras but im thinking about getting the truck that i have always wanted, a lightning!!! right now im driving my 97 f150 as my daily driver. if i get a nbs gmc ill most likely sell my old f150 and end up spending over 20k for a good used sierra 4x4 with all the options i want with under 100k miles. but im leaning towards the lightning. ill be using it as my daily driver and have been seeing them around here for around 12-15k with around 40-70k miles on them. if i go lightning, im going to keep my old f150 and give it a big makeover with the money i save not buying the gmc. here are my questions. what are there any years that i want to stay away from in the 99-04 range? when i get one i will probably want to mod it a little and have a few questions about that. i have been reading up a little on modding these things and am completely lost. being this will be my daily driver, i dont want to go to overboard. i really dont want to mess with the pulleys and will be satisfied with just a good cai, catback exhaust, and a good programmer. what are some good mild mods for these things? what is a good exhaust system? do these trucks have 4 cats like on my 97 5.4? can i run it without the rear cats? what is a good programmer for the lightning? do i have to to get it custom tunned for just a cai, exhaust, other? what all can i do without having to get it custom tunned? i dont want to go to crazy on this thing being i want it reliable. but i do want to pep it up some if i get one. i really want one of these trucks and am just getting where i can afford one. sorry for the long post. thanks in advance

 

doesn't need a tune for CAI, but if you do an exhaust, do a full system, not that cat back crap. Long tube headers with high flow cats will liven it up, but a tune with the exhaust upgrade will help. others will chime in hopefully.

 

there really isnt any years that you want to stay away from, 99-04 were all good but the 99/00 had a leaky intercooler that had a recall. You will most likely have that fixed if you bought those years. 99/00 also had 3.55 gears, 20 less hp, smaller driveshaft compared to the 01-04 years. Still great trucks and shouldnt steer you away from a good priced 99/00. 03-04 models sat a lil higher in the rear with an added leaf spring to accomodate more towing and also had 8thread heads compared to 4thread on the 99-early 03. Same power level as the 01-02 years.

Modding is easy and can net big gains WHEN PROPERLY TUNED. Mild mods would include CAI, Catback, 4lb or 6lb lower pulley, NGK TR6 plugs, Diablo MAFia or SCT 2400 MAF, ported s/c-throttle body-plenum, and a good tune. Headers arent worth the money or power gain on a bolt on Lightning, factory manifolds will work. Yes they have 4 cats but need a tune when you remove them or engine light will go on. A intake/catback is about the only thing you can do without a tune motor wise, once boost goes up a tune will be needed. When choosing a programmer find out what your tuner uses (SCT or Diablo) rather its dyno tuning or email tuning.

 

thanks alot man. great info. im looking forward to getting one. i will probably go with a cai, catback, 4lb lower, tr6 plugs, and a good email tune. is the maf and the porting a must?

 

Where do you live? I'm hoping a southern state. It kills me people daily driving these trucks in snow/salt states. Also, hope youre not concerned about gas mileage. Mine gets bout 10-12mpg. 01 was the highest production year with a little over 6000 made. You can easily find one of those as long as you take your time and find what youre looking for, dont settle for the first one. It took me over a year and a half to finally find one, but then again I live in a very rare area for Lightnings.

 

I'd also recommend a HP valve body! Best first mod!

Jim