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From the December 2022 issue of Car and Driver.
Ford’s performance-oriented Special Vehicle Team (SVT) made its debut with two models in 1993: the SVT Mustang Cobra and the SVT F-150 Lightning, a souped-up pickup that immediately divided the Car and Driver staff at “Why?” and because!” camps. Enough buyers eventually fell for the F-150 Lightning to get a sequel with a big bump in power for the 1999 model year.
From 1999 to 2004, Ford built more than 28,000 second-gen SVT F-150 Lightnings wearing the love-it-or-hate-it aero body (and Flareside bed) that came with the ’97 truck. Not enough to make them common, but enough to develop a cult following that, even today, owner forums have flourished, and enthusiast meetups are happening all over the country.
Models from 2001 onward got a revised Triton 5.4-liter V-8 with more power, a shorter rear-axle ratio, and Bilstein monotube dampers. The best examples are the 2003–04s, which benefit from factory updates that resolve common issues. The abundance of mods requires careful parsing of potential purchases. Make sure the job is done right and consider replacing any substandard parts.
Problem Areas
A common issue with 10th-gen F-150s is the V-8’s tendency to eject spark plugs, and the Lightning is no exception. The 2003 and ’04 models got more threads on the cylinder heads to help solve the problem, but it’s worth checking the plugs. Just be careful when removing them as their two-piece design can easily break on the head.
Value
The arrival of the new electric F-150 Lightning has spurred renewed interest in the supertruck of yesteryear, with prices jumping dramatically over the past two years. The days of sub-$20K second-gen Lightnings are almost gone, though the occasional 1999 or 2000 example may hover near that range. Low mileage and originality are prized above all else and drive most high-dollar sales, with top-end 2001–04 models ranging from $40,000 to just under $50,000.
machine
F-150 Lightnings for the 1999 model year had an Eaton supercharger tied to a 5.4-liter V-8 that produced 360 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. The 2001 model got a revised air-intake opening and mass airflow meter, along with a higher intake flow, increasing output to 380 horsepower and 450 pound-feet. Some final tweaks for 2003 include heavier rear leaf springs that increase cargo capacity from 800 to 1350 pounds, in case you intend to use your Lightning to haul more than a donkey.
2001 Ford SVT F-150 Lightning
380-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V-8, 4702 lb
TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.2 sec
100 mph: 12.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.8 seconds @ 104 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 185 ft
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