Calling HD Adam and other Lightning owners
Discussion
I've decided I need a Lightning in the fleet to keep my bank account low and my wife miserable until the Hellcat arrives. 
Just wondering what's what really, anything specific I should be looking out for with them? I'm happy to replace most stuff over the course of a year but I really don't want to have to pull the motor / trans as it'll be a daily runner. Guessing they're solid in that department, but is there any bills I should be expecting at given ages or mileages?
It'll probably be a daily runabout for bobbing between job sites, so I'm keen to go in eyes open.
Only other thing of interest is a Ram SRT10 but I'd rather have the Ford.
Ta.
Just wondering what's what really, anything specific I should be looking out for with them? I'm happy to replace most stuff over the course of a year but I really don't want to have to pull the motor / trans as it'll be a daily runner. Guessing they're solid in that department, but is there any bills I should be expecting at given ages or mileages?
It'll probably be a daily runabout for bobbing between job sites, so I'm keen to go in eyes open.
Only other thing of interest is a Ram SRT10 but I'd rather have the Ford.
Ta.
Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 1st April 06:31
The newest are what 11 years old now. The leading edge of the bonnet can corrode same with the rear bumper. Like anything buy on condition. Pre 2002 from memory have the short reach spark plugs that can get blown out of the heads. Over the three I have owned over the years and what 300,000 miles the biggest expense has been replacing the valve block or at least I think that is what it is called in the gearbox and that was not a lot of money.
Other than that it has just been routine servicing. Front ball joints tend to wear but they are not expensive. Probably one of the cheapest vehicles with regards to maintenance I have ever owned.
I've just bought my fourth a 40,000 mile example. I think I will always have a Lightning. When I bought my first the missus said I bet you don't keep this more than 6 months
Other than that it has just been routine servicing. Front ball joints tend to wear but they are not expensive. Probably one of the cheapest vehicles with regards to maintenance I have ever owned.
I've just bought my fourth a 40,000 mile example. I think I will always have a Lightning. When I bought my first the missus said I bet you don't keep this more than 6 months
SVTRick said:
Well anyone admitting to owning a Kia Sedona should be hung, drawn & quartered.....
'koff Thanks mate, I've not got him on FB but will take a nosey.
graemel said:
The newest are what 11 years old now. The leading edge of the bonnet can corrode same with the rear bumper. Like anything buy on condition. Pre 2002 from memory have the short reach spark plugs that can get blown out of the heads. Over the three I have owned over the years and what 300,000 miles the biggest expense has been replacing the valve block or at least I think that is what it is called in the gearbox and that was not a lot of money.
Other than that it has just been routine servicing. Front ball joints tend to wear but they are not expensive. Probably one of the cheapest vehicles with regards to maintenance I have ever owned.
I've just bought my fourth a 40,000 mile example. I think I will always have a Lightning. When I bought my first the missus said I bet you don't keep this more than 6 months
I hadn't realized you had lightnings too Graeme - another with exquisite taste given the Hellcat too Other than that it has just been routine servicing. Front ball joints tend to wear but they are not expensive. Probably one of the cheapest vehicles with regards to maintenance I have ever owned.
I've just bought my fourth a 40,000 mile example. I think I will always have a Lightning. When I bought my first the missus said I bet you don't keep this more than 6 months
Sounds like exactly what I was hoping to hear, I remember looking into an HD F150 years ago and was under the impression they're fairly gremlin free, just wanted to be sure as there's naff all lightnings for sale locally so I'll have to travel. I found a peachy looking one with <30k miles on but it's a serious trek away.
k22wes said:
Mine is currently for sale, blue one on ebay.
got 2 people coming to view it this weekend.
the best car I've ever owned, has only needed a coil pack in the 18 months I've had it.
Great to hear it's been trouble free. I'd expected as much being an F150 but you never know until you ask got 2 people coming to view it this weekend.
the best car I've ever owned, has only needed a coil pack in the 18 months I've had it.
Good luck with the sale, blue is my first choice but I'm in the US.
Ok, I'm here.
Just like anything else, buy on condition & history.
Lot's have been loved and looked after and lots have gone through too many hands and been abused.
Issued specifically on the Lightning.
Recall on the cruise control switch as they could catch fire.
Recall on the fuel tank straps - can go rusty and your tank falls out.
99 intercoolers leaked into the inlet manifold and could hydrolock the engine.
99 to early 03 heads only had 4 threads in the plug holes. Later had 8 thread.
Depending on when it was imported to the UK, these may have been done in the USA.
If it's been in the UK all it's life, almost certainly not.
COP's can fail if the spark plug gap is too big.
Front suspension can clunk due to the lower wishbone moving about with the elongated (for adjustment) mounting holes.
Generally.
Poor maintenance. The plugs are a b
d to change so people don't do them.
Poor modifications & tuning.
They can get rusty underneath. If it's a recent Texas import, probably not.
If it's been in salty Michigan, almost certainly.
So buy the nicest, best looked after one you can find. Wes's truck is very nice.
Just like anything else, buy on condition & history.
Lot's have been loved and looked after and lots have gone through too many hands and been abused.
Issued specifically on the Lightning.
Recall on the cruise control switch as they could catch fire.
Recall on the fuel tank straps - can go rusty and your tank falls out.
99 intercoolers leaked into the inlet manifold and could hydrolock the engine.
99 to early 03 heads only had 4 threads in the plug holes. Later had 8 thread.
Depending on when it was imported to the UK, these may have been done in the USA.
If it's been in the UK all it's life, almost certainly not.
COP's can fail if the spark plug gap is too big.
Front suspension can clunk due to the lower wishbone moving about with the elongated (for adjustment) mounting holes.
Generally.
Poor maintenance. The plugs are a b
d to change so people don't do them.Poor modifications & tuning.
They can get rusty underneath. If it's a recent Texas import, probably not.
If it's been in salty Michigan, almost certainly.
So buy the nicest, best looked after one you can find. Wes's truck is very nice.
Thanks buddy, much appreciated. Looked over the only 2 within 100 miles of me today, one was as rough as a badger's arris, the other I'm half tempted to leave a deposit on. There's a nice one down south calling my name though, we'll see.
Thanks for all the help chaps. I'll let you know when I've managed to bag one.
Thanks for all the help chaps. I'll let you know when I've managed to bag one.
Not yet mate, I've been to look at a few but they've been pretty ropey. I've got my eye on one on eBay at the minute though - hope springs eternal. Expected a wait given the amount of ropey ones in Ohio and Indiana though.
This one got my interest too, bit more than I'd planned on spending.
This one got my interest too, bit more than I'd planned on spending.
Stu R said:
Not yet mate, I've been to look at a few but they've been pretty ropey. I've got my eye on one on eBay at the minute though - hope springs eternal. Expected a wait given the amount of ropey ones in Ohio and Indiana though.
This one got my interest too, bit more than I'd planned on spending.
In the words of McEnroe, You cannot be serious. It's got Lambo doors This one got my interest too, bit more than I'd planned on spending.
You want something like this http://www.blanchardautosales.com/mobile/mdetails....
HD Adam said:
Stu R said:
Not yet mate, I've been to look at a few but they've been pretty ropey. I've got my eye on one on eBay at the minute though - hope springs eternal. Expected a wait given the amount of ropey ones in Ohio and Indiana though.
This one got my interest too, bit more than I'd planned on spending.
In the words of McEnroe, You cannot be serious. It's got Lambo doors This one got my interest too, bit more than I'd planned on spending.
You want something like this http://www.blanchardautosales.com/mobile/mdetails....
I like the one you've listed, short of cars.com and ebay I've not really looked elsewhere. I'm hoping a sub 100k miles 02/03 pops up for <=$20k
I've got a new truck coming in a week or two so I don't mind a bit of a road trip with the trailer to pick it up.
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