The aftermarket has exploded...
The aftermarket has exploded with parts and pieces to enhance your F-150 Lightning driving experience. In most cases, that experience is down a dragstrip, so more power becomes the necessary evil.
5.0&SF: How durable is the drivetrain in the Lightning? Will it hold up to lots of abuse?
Sal: The drivetrain has gotten better as the years went on. For the Gen 1s, the E4OD trans was revised each year, with the '95 being the strongest, especially with the O/D bearing support added in. All Gen 1s came standard with an aluminum driveshaft and 4.10 gears. The 8.8 rear used in the Gen 1 Lightning is the strongest version of the 8.8 Ford has ever built.
The Gen 2s have the 4R100, which is basically the redesigned version of the E4OD. It's a great trans, and it has to be, to handle the massive torque of the Gen 2. The '99-'00s had a steel driveshaft and the '01-'03s have an aluminum one. Both work great. The rearend in the Gen 2 is a massive 9.75-inch unit. I can attest that it works great, as my 4,760-pound truck pulls the front wheels off the ground, and that power is going through the stock Ford rear. The drivetrains in both generations hold up great to heavy abuse, with failures few and far between.
5.0&SF: Are Lightning enthusiasts excited about the future of the Light-ning and the new model that will be out next year?
Sal: The '04 model is going to be a continuation of the current truck. Ford is still undecided on when the Gen 3 will make its debut, but right now it looks to be in 2005. I think many people are excited about the new truck. The silver concept truck is not what the Gen 3 will be exactly, but it does hint to some of the ideas going into the new Lightning. I do have some knowledge of the new truck, but I can't share it for obvious reasons. I can say that I seriously doubt anyone will be disappointed. The power rating is going to be considerably more than the current truck. Visually, the truck will not have that yellow interior from the concept truck, but the final outside appearance should look close to what's been done on the concept truck's body.
5.0&SF: Is the Lightning a useful tow rig?Sal: The Lightning makes a great tow vehicle. As a matter of fact, many Lightning owners bought their trucks to tow their race cars. The Gen 1 trucks were rated at 5,000 pounds max towing, but that was only because the Gen 1 project went into production so fast the towing-ability testing never made it past the 5,000-pound test. Even a bone-stock Gen 1 can tow a 24-foot enclosed trailer with a car inside, with nothing else needed other than a load leveling hitch. I personally towed our '01 PSP drag truck all over the country for almost two years with my stock '95. The Gen 2s are even better, with all that massive torque on hand.
During the last five years, an entire cottage industry has sprung up that caters to the SVT Lightning truck owner and enthusiast. So many of these performance trucks have landed in the hands of individuals who simply want more, that specific Lightning classes and shootouts go on all summer long. So, whether you have a Gen 1 truck in need of a turbo-charged 408 small-block, or you just bought a brand-new Gen 2 and you want a good chip, here's a list of other folks who can give you a hand with your project Lightning.
JDM Engineering
Dept. 5.0
60 Jerseyville Ave.
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 780-0770
www.teamjdm.com
Johnny Lightning Performance
Dept. 5.0
25 Archery Rd.
New Providence, PA 17560
(717) 786-4670
www.johnnylightningperf.com
Paul's High Performance
Dept. 5.0
3715 Commerce St.
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 764-7661
www.paulshp.com
Power Surge Performance
Dept. 5.0
15 Shagwong Dr.
Sound Beach, NY 11789
(631) 821-3622
www.powersurgeperformance.net
Here are some Web sites to start you on your journey to Lightning enlightenment.
www.nloc.net
www.f150online.com
www.svtperformance.com