Vehicle Description
Ford invented the high-performance pickup truck with the SVT
Lightning in the mid-90s, a legacy that continues today in various
forms from a variety of manufacturers. Better still,
first-generation trucks like this 1993 Ford F150 Lightning were
siblings of the mighty 5.0 Mustang, and all the goodies that you
can use on a Mustang can be used just as well on a Lightning, just
as they were in this case.
But before we get to the hardware, let's talk about the enduring
popularity of the F150. Simple good looks were surely part of the
truck's longevity and popularity, and the SVT engineers didn't do
much to change that. They took the lightest and most maneuverable
body (the short bed, regular cab) for their hot rod pickup, and
offered it in only three colors: white, black, and the bright red
found on this one. Twenty years later, it's not so subtle, thanks
to a traditional flame job licking across its nose. It was probably
painted when it was still pretty new and despite the passage of
time, the paint still shines, the gaps are good all around, and
since the Lightning could technically carry a load, this one got a
heavy duty rubber mat in the bed. There's also a rear roll pan that
replaces the rather frumpy-looking stock bumper, and a subtle chin
spoiler that gives it an aggressive road-race look. It's topped by
a tonneau cover, making the bed a safe, weather-proof place to
carry your stuff.
Obviously someone has been careful with the interior, because the
handsome cloth bucket seats and center console look great and
certainly better than you'd expect with the mileage. It also still
carries its original wheel and instrument panel, plus surprisingly
plush carpets that make this truck feel luxurious, not basic.
Lightnings came only one way: loaded, so this one includes A/C,
power windows and locks, cruise control, and an upgraded Pioneer
AM/FM/CD stereo. It's all in extremely good shape and the by
keeping as much OEM hardware as possible, reliability is unharmed;
the A/C is cold, the windows zip up and down, and the truck still
works as if its years younger than it is.
Now about that engine. See, the Lightning got a 351 cubic inch V8,
and as part of the Windsor family, it's basically a tall-deck 5.0.
And yes, it also means that all the 5.0 performance parts will bolt
right on, which is the case here. The engine was fully rebuilt,
bored .040 over, stuffed with a set of DSS forged pistons, a Comp
Cams roller camshaft, ported GT40 heads, and adjustable roller
rockers. There's a custom tune to make it work right, an upgraded
fuel pump in the rear tank, and an MDS ignition system, all topped
by that distinctive Lightning GT40 intake manifold. It's bolted to
a reworked 1995 AOD 4-speed automatic that's been suitably
fortified with a B&M shift kit, and the rear end was rebuilt in
2015, including a fresh set of 4.11 gears to really make this
sucker feel snappy. A custom Flowmaster exhaust system sounds
gnarly, and the OEM look continues with a set of 18-inch alloys
from a 2000 SVT Lightning which wear staggered 255/60/18 front and
285/60/18 performance radials.
Cleverly built and extremely fast, this Lightning is more than just
a fast truck, it's a Mustang with a bed. Call today!
