Ford F150 lightning

Ford F150 lightning

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Discussion

Meatball

Original Poster:

1,638 posts

215 months

Monday 24th March 2008
quotequote all
Im toying with the idea of changing my tvr for a f150 lightning are there any owners or ex owners on here who could give me some advice or points to look out for when buying one of these.

evolutionvalet

907 posts

225 months

Monday 24th March 2008
quotequote all
Meatball,

Pop over to Rebel-v8.com there are around 10 Lightning owners active on that Uk forum who I am sure will help you out.

Kev

666 SVT

1,052 posts

245 months

Tuesday 25th March 2008
quotequote all
I agree Rebel is the place to go. I went from a TVR Tuscan to a Chimaera and
then to the Lightning and I love it. I have an early 99 example and if going
for an early one make sure the intercooler core recall has been done.
Col

Meatball

Original Poster:

1,638 posts

215 months

Tuesday 25th March 2008
quotequote all
Thanks chaps

SVT Rick

3,633 posts

200 months

Friday 28th March 2008
quotequote all
Or at least will introduce you to over 600 RWHP and 760ft lbs torque.
Daily driver and lifts the wheels up on track days...









THX138

483 posts

198 months

Saturday 29th March 2008
quotequote all
SVT Rick said:
Or at least will introduce you to over 600 RWHP and 760ft lbs torque.
Daily driver and lifts the wheels up on track days...





Interesting1 I see you are running with no tailgate.
This made me think of a 'Mythbusters' TV show where they proved less drag with tailgate up!
Not sure which pickup they tested

See here http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2005/11/episode_43_seasickness_cures_f.html 

SVT Rick

3,633 posts

200 months

Saturday 29th March 2008
quotequote all
It's simple..


Lift of the tail gate - it's heavy.
Same as the pass seat
Bed cover
Move battery to rear o/s
Take weight off front end (Aluminium Motor -120lbs)

Rack & Pinion Steering next -100lbs (Aprx)

Lightweight Borgart Rims & special front springs with Metco links at rear help too.

It all helps these heavy trucks to hook.
States side the same setup gets them into consistant low 10s and some dip into 9s all motor.

Add a twin wet shot and low 9s are begging.

Top end speed open road or track if you got the balls to go for it in excess of 165

I am happy for a very quick street truck with over 500 on the tire.
And track days with over 600 on the tire
It's also run low 11s on street tune & 97 pump gas
Not bad for over 2 ton



graeme36s

7,088 posts

222 months

Sunday 30th March 2008
quotequote all
Hi Ya Meatball.
Go for it they are the bo**ocks. Both myself and my business partner use lightning's as our daily driver's. In fact I am on my 3rd one. If we both had to sacrifice all of our toys for one vehicle we would both keep the Lightnings. Why because you can tear up the tarmac or just chill out and cruise. Not interested in tuning them, they go well in standard form, are perfectly reliable, traction is good. You need to buy 2003 model year on as they had longer reach spark plugs. The earlier years had a tendancy to blow the odd spark plug out. A chap that works for me bought my old truck so we have three at work. He winges and moans at everything but agrees that sticking £80 in the tank is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

THX138

483 posts

198 months

Monday 31st March 2008
quotequote all
SVT Rick said:
It's simple..


Lift of the tail gate - it's heavy.
Same as the pass seat
Bed cover
Move battery to rear o/s
Take weight off front end (Aluminium Motor -120lbs)

Rack & Pinion Steering next -100lbs (Aprx)

Lightweight Borgart Rims & special front springs with Metco links at rear help too.

It all helps these heavy trucks to hook.
States side the same setup gets them into consistant low 10s and some dip into 9s all motor.

Add a twin wet shot and low 9s are begging.

Top end speed open road or track if you got the balls to go for it in excess of 165

I am happy for a very quick street truck with over 500 on the tire.
And track days with over 600 on the tire
It's also run low 11s on street tune & 97 pump gas
Not bad for over 2 ton
Point taken!
I have had ago in a stock lightning at North Weald drags and that was fun enough!

You have a lovely truck, good luck.

Meatball

Original Poster:

1,638 posts

215 months

Monday 31st March 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for your reply chaps ive got a couple more questions for you

How much are they to tax (post budget)
Who do you insure with
In stock form whats the 0 - 60
Average yearly running costs, services etc
Around town MPG
Most importantly any owners in North Devon, North Cornwall who would take me for a spin




mikef

5,140 posts

256 months

Tuesday 1st April 2008
quotequote all
Hopefully Light Goods Vehicle at £175 (I'll find out when my renewal comes through). Or it could be - gulp! - Group G at 400. (edited)
Insured with Norwich Union, since they bought out Hill House Hammond. £600 fully comp, parked on the drive.
Ford's figure 5.4, Car + Driver review 5.2.
Pretty cheap to keep on the road except for gas and tax, provided you have the recall work done as advised above. I pay about 350 for my annual service and buy parts when I'm out in the States .
I'd expect 15 mpg in town if you're not too heavy on the loud pedal.
There used to be a West Country owner on here, but I seem to recall that he was selling because the L wasn't suited to narrow country lanes (which I would agree with).



Edited by mikef on Thursday 3rd April 13:36

irish boy

3,606 posts

241 months

Wednesday 2nd April 2008
quotequote all
agreed.....fantastic trucks! as stated if u can afford it go for 03 or 04 models with the longer plugs! after mine blew one it never went right after that!

SVT Rick

3,633 posts

200 months

Wednesday 2nd April 2008
quotequote all
I get about 15-20 (or more on a run) with built motor if I drive steady.
Will go under 10 if your on the boost a lot however it's + 500rwhp on the road so that ain't bad.

RFL is £175 however my truck is used for work so that keeps it down.
( we have a 7.5 ton truck @ £165 and 32 ton 8 legger @ £750) cant see why your paying £400 )
Transit van is £175 so can't see how it's arrived at £400 (less emissions than a 2.5 Diesel)





mikef

5,140 posts

256 months

Wednesday 2nd April 2008
quotequote all
Hi Rick (I think we exchanged greetings driving through Twickenham a while back)

Based it on this page: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...

I haven't renewed the L since the last increases, but assuming it will be treated as Band G rather than Light Goods Vehicle (may be wrong about that, though)

Mike

SVT Rick

3,633 posts

200 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
Yeah I was on my way to the Rugby at Quins, I remember.

Did I see you the other day with a Fridge in the back heading South ?

Anyway how you keeping then?

mikef

5,140 posts

256 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
Rick

No, not me. I gave up nicking fridges a while back!

Doing good, thanks. Great to see your truck pics

By the way, I always used the L forum on F150online.com as a great source of info, but my IP address is now banned (not sure what I did...). I posted about that in the International section from my hotel in Vegas a couple of weeks back

Cheers
Mike

SVT Rick

3,633 posts

200 months

Thursday 3rd April 2008
quotequote all
Send a mail to the moderators, I am sure it's just a mess up.

I am away on Rugby Tour this weekend but give me a shout soon.
maybe hook up for a beer.

Will be putting motor back in truck after it's been checked over ready for the 2008 meetings.

Ricki

308mate

13,757 posts

227 months

Friday 16th May 2008
quotequote all
mikef said:
Hi Rick (I think we exchanged greetings driving through Twickenham a while back)

Based it on this page: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...

I haven't renewed the L since the last increases, but assuming it will be treated as Band G rather than Light Goods Vehicle (may be wrong about that, though)

Mike
I think (hope) it will treated as LGV.

The tax renewal says Light goods so hopefully thats how they will classify it.

mikef

5,140 posts

256 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all
Let me know - I'll start saving up!

Mike

evolutionvalet

907 posts

225 months

Saturday 17th May 2008
quotequote all


My F150 Harley truck is LGV class so surely the Lightning should be too as it carries the same payload?