First off, let me introduce myself as a future L-owner. HOPEFULLY, IF ALL GOES WELL!!!

I've toured this site for months now, but finally registered. You guys have a great board here.

I'm a current Honda owner (please don't shoot me after my first post), but I wanna sell the Accord, and buy me a Lightning....

They're offering some great deals on '01's right now, and very few '02's are available thus far.

Do you know what, if any, improvements are expected for 2003? The '99s and '00s are basically the same, and now the '01's and '02's are basically the same.............so I'm assuming that for '03, we may see the 400HP mark, and maybe different gearing, etc..................has anybody heard anything or know anything??

Thank you everyone, and sorry for the LONG first post.

JC

 

Welcome aboard. Won't hold the Accord against you, they're good for what they were built to do...commute and save on gas...hey I had a Camry way back when...

I think the rumor is no big changes until '04, when the new body style for the f150's come out. Just a rumor, I could be way off...

 

I don't own an L but I am a big fan. The only big change I have read about is that they are dropping the white color and adding my favorite, TRUE BLUE. Hopefully they will still be making that color when I graduate (for the second time) in 2003. I will be all over that!!

Justin

 

I would go for the great deal and really low financing that is being offered. The guys at the Ford plant in Claycomo say 2004 for the next body change is the rumor.

 

Personally i hope they dont make them in 03 or even 02. Gen 1's were 93-95. Gen 2's already are 99-01 and thats where they should stop it at to keep up the tradition like the Gen 1's. I mean they are SVT and meant to be limited but how limited are they if they make them every year? One thing i love about having a lightning is that its different and you dont see many on the roads but now im starting to see more and more. Plus there have been 01's sitting on lots here for months if they cant sell the 01's how are they expecting to sell the 02's? Well i hope ford stops production in 01 then waits for the body change in 04 or whenever its coming to start the Gen 3's. And ford if you read this Gen 3's new color YELLOW.
Vin

 

One thing people keep mentioning is the introduction of a three or four valve head for 2003 or later.

The 5.4L four valve heading is now used in the Lincoln Navigator and it produces 40 more HP (300 HP) than the regular 5.4L. The Cobra R has the four valve engine that produces 385 HP. Imagine that with a supercharger.

So, it seems logical that the next big change would be the four valve engine. Parts-bin engineering.

 

Next generation (was for 03 but I hear it's pushed back to 04) is the 3 valve head and the 5R110 tranny. Should make over 400 HP and over 500 ft/lbs of torque. The new 5 speed tranny is a monster!!!

G

 

Well, I thought that 03 was suppose to be the new body and all extended cab, but if thats been pushed back so be it. The 99 will be really tired by then, can't wait for the 04.
noelvm

 

No ****, I am hearing you guys right?

The 2004 Lightning is suppose to be a extended cab, 400hp, and have a 5-speed transmission?

I have seen the Roush extended-cab F-150's at the dealers and they don't look too bad, but they are no Lightning.

What are all your thoughts on a extended-cab Lightning for the 2004?

 

A couple of points....

I think an extended cab supercharged"availability" would attract a lot of new buyers......however, I think that Ford should offer this as an option on a regular F-150 and not badge it as an L.....I think it'll detract from the "limited edition" status of the L.

Also, the great thing about this truck is that it retains such a high percentage of its original value, that if and when the new gen L comes out in '03, '04, '05, whatever, trading up shouldn't bring you much of a hurt in your pocket at all..............the '99's are still selling for prices very much near original MSRP........it's amazing!!!

JC

 

No way i hope that they dont make the truck in extended cab then that will take away its sports look if you ask me. Only changes should be engine HP and body style.
Vin

 

might as well make it a supercab that comes with factory nitrous and a cap for the bed, that should really attract everyone from the ages of 16-80!!! Need to keep the Lightnings a "special" vehicle" with limited production numbers. If they want to come out with a middle market truck between the lightning and standard fl50 fine, but leave the blowers to us lightning guys!!! I definetely agree with the yellow color as well. Also that dark green color they have for the superduties....or that tan color on the explorers would be neat.

 

I don't think you guys understand the rumor on extended cab. The rumor is the Lightning will have to be extended cab because Ford is doing away with the short cab. Thats the rumor.
noelvm

 

The reg. cab will still be around. If not Ford will lose sales.

 

I suspect the percent of total production of short cab to total F150 production is less than 10%. If it gets down to around 5%, it makes economic sense to cancel it because Ford knows that most of the buyer will move up. Where can we find figures on last year or the year before Ford production by vehilce type. Is such information available or is it considered secret?
noelvm

My info doesn't come from some squirrel at some dealership. It comes from very high up.