Ford’s definition of “efficiency truck” has shifted considerably over the previous 20 years. Presently, these phrases are synonymous with “Raptor,” the high-flying off-roader from the Ford Efficiency division that provides 37-inch tires and 700 supercharged horsepower. Within the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s, the Blue Oval’s signature F-150-based energy pickup got here from Ford Efficiency’s predecessor, SVT (Particular Automobile Workforce), and was generally known as the Lightning (which has additionally since been redefined as an electrical pickup!)
The primary technology of the Lightning was Ford’s rival to the Chevrolet 454SS and struck supplier tons within the 1993 model yr. Just like the Chevy’s big-block avenue beast, it mixed a big V8 (a 5.8-liter Windsor) with a single-cab physique and a brief mattress. After a complete of three years available on the market, it was discontinued. Fortunately for fanatics, Ford introduced the Lightning again as the final word model of the 10th-generation F-150 in 1999. Not solely was the curvier new Lightning geared up with a Flareside mattress, it additionally packed an Eaton-supercharged 5.4-liter Triton V8 that produced 360 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. Channeled by a heavy-duty 4R100 four-speed automated transmission and the rear wheels, that output enabled the Lightning to bolt to 60 mph in underneath six seconds.
This Decide of the Day is a 2003 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning supplied on the market on ClassicCars.com by a supplier in Tucson, Arizona. Given its comparatively late spot within the second-generation Lightning’s 1999-2004 manufacturing run, it advantages from the enhancements SVT made for the 2001 model yr. By altering the rear-end ratio to three.73:1, putting in a bigger mass airflow meter, and bolting in a higher-flowing consumption manifold, Ford’s in-house pace freaks elevated output to 380 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque, introduced the 0-60 mph time nearer to the five-second mark, and bumped the highest pace as much as 142 mph. As one of many 4,270 Lightnings produced for the 2003 model yr, this truck additionally rolled out of Ford’s Ontario Truck Facility geared up with up to date cylinder heads, redesigned 18-inch wheels, and a better payload score of 1,350 kilos.
In line with the promoting supplier, this Lightning has solely had two homeowners. The second stored the truck since 2004 and racked up nearly all of the 72,398 miles on the odometer. Over the previous 20 years, the truck has remained largely inventory. It nonetheless has its manufacturing unit physique equipment, twin exhaust shops that exit on the passenger aspect forward of the rear tire, and European-style taillights, though an aftermarket laborious tonneau cowl has been added to the mattress. The grey and black cabin gives SVT devices with white dials; energy home windows, locks, and mirrors; and a pair of leather-based and microsuede seats divided by a flip-down heart console. Nonetheless, a Kenwood eXcelon infotainment system with Bluetooth and a backup digital camera feed has been put in to supply fashionable conveniences.
Quite a bit has modified previously 20 years, however one factor hasn’t: Ford’s capability to make enjoyable, highly effective vans. If you wish to catch air at 100 mph, the Raptor is prepared for flight. Should you’re within the temper to take Camaros and Challengers to Gapplebee’s, harness the ability of Ford’s unique efficiency truck, the SVT Lightning. The asking worth for this second-gen Lightning is $30,929.
To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.
