What to look for (and WHERE to look) - F150 Lightning
Discussion
Seeing as Lightning's are now getting on for 12 years old for the youngest what sort of things should I be looking at when looking to buy one? What constitutes 'high mileage' in one of these (TBH I'd be happy with round about the 50k mark but it'll be hard!)? I suspect with one of these that mods are pretty much guaranteed but any no-no's WRT to mods? IIRC the best years to get are 03/04 (8 thread head, though shouldn't be a problem if the servicing has been properly done and the plugs screwed in right surely?) followed by 01/02 (bigger maf, different tune, thicker propshaft) and then 99/00 as still desirable but not as much so (potential issues with the intercooler, fuel-tank straps). Colourwise I'd be shying away from the earlier ones as I'm not a huge fan of white or silver (I'd be looking to get them resprayed and that is £££££) and am unsure about red. Faves are DSG, sonic and tru blue, black. Kit-wise am I correct to say that there's not a whole lot to chose between them (the temp gauge/glasses holder is pretty much the only internal difference)?
As regards where to find 'em the obvious places (to me) are PH, Auto-trader and e-Bay... any other sites to try? I know that there's obviously a far greater choice out in the US but IIRC trucks are taxed more heavily than cars if you bring one over and then there's the waaaaaaittttttttt (if I find a good one I would really rather have it NOW (what can I say I want instant gratification)!
As regards where to find 'em the obvious places (to me) are PH, Auto-trader and e-Bay... any other sites to try? I know that there's obviously a far greater choice out in the US but IIRC trucks are taxed more heavily than cars if you bring one over and then there's the waaaaaaittttttttt (if I find a good one I would really rather have it NOW (what can I say I want instant gratification)!
hi Graeme, that does sound quite interesting as it ticks quite a few boxes (lack of hard-top is a PiTA but if everything else is good) so if you wouldn't mind that'd be great 
For some reason my PM's don't seem to work on here so please feel free to drop me a line on e-mail, I'm aol.com
Cheers
For some reason my PM's don't seem to work on here so please feel free to drop me a line on e-mail, I'm aol.com
Cheers
I am from the States and there are a few good sites to visit, but as you said the instant gratification could be a problem! www.for-sale.com is a good place to start, within the site there are links to more specific car sites. Happy hunting.
There's a black one advertised in this months Classic American classifieds. A 99 with 39k miles. Ad say its in Staffordshire. I am not connected with it at all, just noticed it flicking through the ads this morning. There's also a silver 01 with 67k but appreciate you're not after silver
Good luck Patrick. I've run one as my daily driver for 13 years. I am on my fourth. First two bought new. Piled miles on, found one with low mileage and swapped it out. I know of a silver one with 6,000 miles on the clock. But I am saving that one for myself for a later date. Sorry. It will take strong money to buy it. Then I'll paint it black 
SRT Hellcat said:
Good luck Patrick. I've run one as my daily driver for 13 years. I am on my fourth. First two bought new. Piled miles on, found one with low mileage and swapped it out. I know of a silver one with 6,000 miles on the clock. But I am saving that one for myself for a later date. Sorry. It will take strong money to buy it. Then I'll paint it black
lmao - funny you should say that. I've seen a silver for sale at a great price but I'd have to re-spray too, I just don't like silver 
(which is also one of the reasons why I'm not looking at the silver one on ebay or the one on Autotrader). I'm not 100% sold on red either (I know I'm a fussy bugger!!) and when you add in 100k+ then it's a no-no. Meh "patience is a virtue!" lmaoPersonally, I think Silver is one of the best colours on the Lightning.
On my HD, the black looks like it's been cleaned with a wire brush but the silver doesn't show a mark and polishes up great.
Given the limited choice in the UK, if you find a nice silver one, you should really consider it.
On my HD, the black looks like it's been cleaned with a wire brush but the silver doesn't show a mark and polishes up great.
Given the limited choice in the UK, if you find a nice silver one, you should really consider it.
5ohmustang said:
F150's of this era had electrical issues and fires, not sure if this applied to the lightning. My friend had one a few years ago and they are bloody fast and fun. I just was not keen on the auto box.
it does apply to the Lightning too - apparently the cruise control could short-out and start a fire (even with the engine off and the keys out). There was a recall issued and this truck has been doneExcellent Pat. Nice one. It's a truck I've always fancied myself. I remember missing out on a seriously low mileage truck a couple of years back when the seller had a change of heart. I bought something else and then he called to say he'd sell it again. I was sick.
Post up some pics when you get her. Is there a link to an ad?
Post up some pics when you get her. Is there a link to an ad?
bigkeeko said:
Excellent Pat. Nice one. It's a truck I've always fancied myself. I remember missing out on a seriously low mileage truck a couple of years back when the seller had a change of heart. I bought something else and then he called to say he'd sell it again. I was sick.
Post up some pics when you get her. Is there a link to an ad?
truth be told there was no ad - I kinda stumbled across someone thinking of selling I "whooosh, like a rat up a drain-pipe" I was there. All being well (ie that he doesn't change his mind there'll be pix @ the weekend Post up some pics when you get her. Is there a link to an ad?
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