Vehicle Description
2018 Ford F150 XL Short Bed Pickup
When the second generation Ford F150 SVT Lightning came to an end
in 2004, performance fans maintained hope for a third generation
production truck as F150 configurations evolved. Ford teased truck
lovers with the supercharged Sport Trac Adrenalin concept in 2005,
but production trucks ended up with relatively tepid V8's. Saleen
got into the game but only produced 398 of their S331 supercharged
sport trucks in 2007. And of course, the Lightning name was
reignited for the all electric pickup in 2023 which is fast, but
lacks the visceral, ground pounding prowess of the gasoline powered
trucks.
For consignment, a 2018 Ford F150 XL short bed with a title
verified 55,972 actual miles and hinting at what a modern Lightning
might look, and sound like! With some tasteful mods to this truck,
it's gone from your run of the mill cargo hauler, to one that is
more red light warrior than grocery getter.
Exterior
The first thing you notice is the shocking Lightning Blue paint,
(Ford's real name for it! Ironic?), then the stance, lowered onto
its 20-inch chrome wheels by four inches in front and six inches in
back. When you combine that with the Cervini four inch cowl hood,
you've got an aggressive looking F150 that goes from utilitarian
vehicle to street machine. Freight train sized grilles were already
a thing by 2018 and this truck's gray and black grille adds to a
slightly sinister nature, augmented by fog lights, a chin spoiler
and big black side mirrors. Smoked LED tail lights look mean and as
we make our way to the passenger side of the truck, we gaze upon
the side exhaust, a Lightning trademark, and it looks fantastic.
And so does the tonneau cover and the paint overall with one scuff
being the only imperfection we note on the outside.
Interior
Gray formed plastic makes up the door panels which have robust
features including door pull, arm rest, and storage bin. Custom
leather and suede design covers the gray and black split bench
heated seat, perhaps another nod to the second gen Lightnings.
There's a full jump seat in the middle with headrest for a third
occupant and plenty of room in this wide cabin. The driver is
treated to a Raptor steering wheel with working paddle shifters and
a bevy of thumb controls, while the standard F150 instrument
cluster is a clean and practical affair, backlit in white and
sporting blue needles. In the center stack, a small screen is
flanked by columns of black, flush buttons and the next panel south
is for the AM/FM/CD radio, then climate controls below that, all in
monochromatic black. Rough Country contoured mats protect the
carpet underneath fully, and the gray soft headliner is in perfect
condition. We'll cover the interior of the bed here, which is rhino
coated and shows it has been called into duty a time or two.
Drivetrain
Under the Cervini is a 5.0 liter Coyote V8, fuel injected and
sporting a K&N cold air intake in a clean engine bay. It's
mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the
Ford 8.8 inch in the back. Power disc brakes are on board and the
rear brakes are new.
Undercarriage
The dry underside has plenty of typical surface rust on untreated
metals including the rear axle, U-bolts, and various other hardware
and components. Zero invasive rust of any kind. The exhaust comes
from the engine, meets as a single pipe, then enters an MBRP
exhaust system and muffler that turns the pipes to the side where
they exit in dual chrome tips in front of the right rear tire. Coil
springs are up front and leaf springs in the rear with the
aforementioned Belltech 4" front and 6" rear lowering kit.
Drive-Ability
We hop up into this comfortable cabin, start the Coyote, and grab
the Raptor wheel and point the truck towards the test loop with a
sweet exhaust note! It might lack the supercharger whine, but it
doesn't lack the giddyup, providing plenty of power from this
lowered truck, which also handles well and stops on a dime. The
roomy cabin dispels any thoughts of being cramped and all functions
on this obviously pampered pickup work as intended. While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
Take that, Ford! If you're not going to build it, we'll take
matters into our own hands. Thankfully, the aftermarket obliges and
what we have here is an F150 that's been cool-ified by sporty mods
that give it a Lightning vibe with the powerplant to back up the
looks. As it happens, a few of the guys at Classic Auto Mall have
second gen Lightnings, so believe us when we say this very nice
modern interpretation will not last long. As Elvis conveyed with
his TCB lightning bolt necklace, you better "take care of business
in a flash, son!"
1FTMF1C53JFA54954
1-USA
F-Ford Motor Company
T-Truck
M-6001 To 7000 GVWR
F1C-F150 2wd 4x2 Regular Cab
5-5.0 Liter Coyote V8
3-Check Digit
J-2018
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
A54954-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
