Well I'm going to buy a Lightning. I have been looking at 2000's and was wondering what I need to look out for. What signs signs of abuse etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!

 

well for one i would try to get an 01 cause of the "few" changes such as 90mm mass air and i think shocks.......

i would look at the engine and see if it is at least clean...... and how many miles of course. and the interior also. if you wanted to look under the truck and see if everything is "rust free" or close to it.

other than that you can test drive, but even if someone beat on it, these trucks are very strong and can take a good amount of abusing!

 

The only major design flaw that I found was the intercooler problems that the 99s and 2000s were having. I didn't have any problems with my 2001 and Ford was doing warr. work on all of them replacing with a new unit.

Check the paint on the roof in the rain gutters, make sure you don't have any major clunks from the front end and like everybody else said check for leaks, rust etc.

The fog lights were an ongoing problem when I had mine. All would crack on the inside of the housing from the heat or whatever. Ford was replacing them for free but with the same design. I don't know if this was ever resolved.

Other than that they are F150s at heart and very strong. Be careful if you go the modding route but bone stock these things should last a very very long time and are wickedly fast.

Good luck
Chris

 

Not too long ago, there was a post on this board concerning a voided warranty. Seems the poor fellow bought a used L from a dealer but when he went back to get some items fixed under the warranty, he found Ford had voided the warranty as the previous owner had modified the L. I would certainly advise you check this out before signing on the bottom line.

 

I know I didnt check mine out good enough when I bought it. Turns out mine had been lowered, I didnt realize it and the guy who did the install didn't tightnen the shocks enough so they were all screwed up.

Also the bottom of the front bumper was scratched up pretty bad because since it was lowered it would scrape on curbs if you parked to close.

I would also check the driver side seat edge and see if there is excessive wear there.

 

Just go ahead and buy an '01 if you need to get one used. I tried to save a few bucks and got a used '00, but have since spent a bunch of money trying to get it where the '01+ is stock. Also, check for a chip. Hope this helps.

 

Get an 01 or newer. Have the tranny checked, check for any oil leaks from the engine block, check for any evidence of mods, and which ones were they, check body panels and paint for any signs of an accident. I would take it to a good shop and have the whole thing inspected such as: frame, compression on the engine, body, tranny, etc..

 

Guys, thanks for the replys, all appreciated.
WHat are the mojor diffs. between 00 and 01. Thanks again!!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about rust...unless it is serious...usually it is just surface rust. I would worry more about mods and abuse. Try to get one that has not been moded. Find out if the warrenty has been void-ed also.

Avoiding a modified/abused vehicle is a lot more important than worrying about a little surface rust, cracks in the pain in the rain gutters, and the difference between the 99/00 and 00-02.

 

Major differences betwee 99/00 and 01/02

Rims - New Style
Mass Air - 10mm bigger
Intercooler - Leaking problem fixed
Tail Lights - Clear Style
Head Lights - Corners have little orange strip wheras older models had half the light orange
Fogs - New Style
Shocks - New Type, Bilstiens

thinks thats it....

edit:
computers were changed as well
total of 20 more hp and 10 more tq over 99/00

 

01--aluminum drive shaft, Bilstein shocks, 3.55(00)- 3.73(01) rear gear, and easier to change the lower s/c pulley for more boost.

Dan

 

The intercooler was repaired (should have been anyway) on all 99/00 and much of the horsepower difference was gained back.

A lot of it comes down to aestetics. I don't think I spelled that right. Depends on what kind of wheels/tailights and stuff you prefer.

 

Why don't you just buy a new one? I just saw a used 2001 with 30,000 miles on it for $28,000. I have seen several like this.

If you can get a L on the X Plan, you can get it pretty cheap, probably $29,000 or so. I also think (correct me if I'm wrong) you can get Fords low interest financing on the truck.

I personally don't want to buy someone else's hotrod.

 

Once again, thanks for the replys. Some very good info passed along!! I'm not looking to buy another new vehicle. I have seen some 2000's with well under 30k miles for the low $20's. I think that is the route I'm going to take. I'm not looking for all out performance, I just like the theory and the look behind these trucks.

Thanks again!!