Does anyone know what Ford is planning for the 2003 Lightning? My guess is that they will stay pretty much the same. Maybe they will add another color to choose from like they did in '02. I bet that yellow will become an option for 2003 on the Lightning, and hopefully a little more power. I would like to see them get the L into the 400Hp range. I can't wait to see what Ford does if Dodge brings out the Viper Truck. If this happens look for Ford to make some huge improvements in performance with the L. I just hope they put the 32 valve DOHC 5.4L that is in the GT-40 into the Lightning. Just think of the Lightning producing 500Hp and 500 ft/lb of torque with 2 less cylinders and a much smaller engine than the Viper truck. If Ford does that then we will see who the mayor of Truckville really is. If for does make a huge performance change in the Lightning I hope the price stays under $40K. I'm saving up for an L, but I think I'm going to wait for awhile because I smell some changes comming soon.....I hear that Ford is going to come out with a new style on the F-series for 2004, Has anyone else heard about this? I sure don't want them to change the Lightning, I mean how can you mess with perfection? Just put in the s/c 32 valve DOHC 5.4!!!

 

What is everone's opinion??? Anyone heard the latest news from Ford?

 

I would be willing to bet it will not be a 32 valve. Keep in mind that this is a HEAVY truck and we need torque those 4valve heads would lose way to much tq.

There are however some 3valve heads out that are being tested so you can look to see that as your next power gain and some better rods....

as for the rest your guess is as GOOD as mine.
It will have to be something major for me to traid up. I love my truck and all its little problems




edit:typo correction

 

Nice truck!! But I thought the s/c 32 Valve DOHC 5.4 produces 500 ft/lb of torque??? Am I wrong, that's just what I heard and what I think I read?

 

That may be true, but at what rpm does it make it's peak at. I made over 500 ft-lb at only 2600rpm on the dyno a few weeks ago........that is where we need our torque powerband to be

--Joe

 

It's at the same 3250rpm. We still don't know the overall shape of the torque curve, though. We only know they both peak and intersect at 3250rpm. The shape of the torque curve is more important that the actual peak number. We do know it makes more HP, but that's a given since it revs higher.

 

True

--Joe

 

My opinion, is that this is a bad *** engine, and I would love to see it in the L. I would think it would make the Lightning a stock mid 12 sec. truck easy with all that power. I think it is obviously a very good engine, better than the 2 valve 5.4, if Ford puts it in the GT-40. What is everyones opinion?

 

I have no Idea, but this may give you a clue what the 2004 F150 will look like. So add a different bumper some gound effects and you can imagine what the gen 3 lightning will look like.

 

not sure how true it is, but i heard this more than once. True Blue is gone next year and they will be replacing it with the awesome new metallic silver/grey color used on the new HD's and Stangs. That would be sweet. I still wanna see that awesome light blue color used on the mustangs and rangers back a couple of years ago

 

Here's some info from a thread I started awhile back answering some of your "what's new for 03L" questions:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...threadid=76435

Frank

 

Yeah I think the dark grey would be a good choice for Ford to add to the color choices of the Lightning. I really doubt they will get rid of the true blue for 2003. Lets see what Ford does if the Viper Truck comes out in '03. I would really like to see some huge performance changes. But I think that the L is going to need a new engine to match the 500HP and 500 ft/lb of torque the Viper truck has. I think there best choice would be the S/C 32 valve DOHC 5.4 that they have in the GT-40. Sure hope Ford does something because if Dodge release the Viper truck they will have to turn over the title of world's fastest stock truck to Dodge.

 

I came across this Blue Oval Report. This was dated back in 2000 but it gives indications of what they were working on for 2003 model year. Don't know if any of what is reported will be reality.
Two interesting items I noticed were 3v and 4v heads and a new
5r100w tranny.
Anyway, check it out
Blue Oval Report

 

no way they are using a 5r100w in a lightning. They are good up to 500lbs of torque. That means a filter, chip and 2lb pulley and your tranny is toast. The 5r1002 is replacing the 4r75, which is the tranny used in the standard f150. The lightnings use the 4r100, which is used int he superduty trucks. Funny think a guy was telling me the other day. In the tranny buisness i guess the power stroke diesels are known as the tranny killer because these 4r100 are getting toasted left and right. He said these lightnings must be going through trannies alot with the torque they put out(which I believe is more thean the powerstroke).

 

Yeah if Ford does put in a new engine in the Lightning they might have to make a new trans. for it. Does anyone know what trans. is in the GT-40? Maybe they can use that. They are going to have to do something to compete with the Viper truck if it comes out.