STEVEN COLE SMITH
Posted Date: 10/20/04

Ford has pulled the plug on the next-generation F-150 Lightning SVT pickup truck, instead putting all SVT's eggs into one basket - the SVT Cobra Mustang, due for 2006.

"It's a business decision," said Alan Hall, SVT spokesman. The official line is that the Lightning has been "postponed," and not killed, but if it is revived, it will be 2008 or later before we see one. SVT has gone from three vehicles in 2004 - the Lightning, the Cobra Mustang and the SVT Focus - to none in 2005.

Ford had already shown a concept version of the next-generation Lightning in 2003. The concept had a supercharged V-8 engine with more than 500 horsepower, in answer to the Dodge Ram SRT-10, which eclipsed the Lightning as the world's fastest production pickup in a test last winter. Ford was eager to regain the crown, but has decided to deed the performance pickup-truck market over to Dodge and its 500-horse SRT-10, and to a lesser extent, Chevrolet, though the heavy all-wheel-drive Silverado SS is not in the same category.

The Lightning debuted in 1993, with a 240-horsepower version of Ford's 5.8-liter V-8. Cobby and not that attractive, it was only a mild success, and was dropped in 1995. The F-150's redesign led to a handsome new Lightning for 1999, featuring a 360-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V-8. A handful of 2004 Lightnings, not much changed from that 1999 model except for a horsepower bump to 380, remain on dealer lots. Base price: $33,560.

Apparently, cost played a leading role in the decision, as the expense involved in developing and certifying a proper V8, and massaging the new-for-2004 F-150's chassis, was deemed prohibitive. Also, the next-generation Lightning's fuel mileage would likely continue to detract from Ford's Corporate Average Fuel Economy totals: The current Lightning is rated at 12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway.

Even so, this news will not be popular with Lightning loyalists, such as Mike Philpot of Heathrow, Florida, who paid full sticker price for his Lightning in July, 1999. "My '99 Lightning has been a fantastic vehicle," he says. "It has about 54,000 miles on it, and it runs better than new. Never any problems. I bought an extended warranty from Ford, but I could have saved myself the money. It has it all: good looks, comfort, good handling and, of course, all that incredible power. Hardly a day goes by without at least one positive comment on it from someone.

"Hopefully, Ford will change its mind. If they want to keep the F-150 the most popular truck in the world with all the competition that it has now, they had better continue with their halo vehicle."

I dont like trucks/SUVs myself, that one seemed like a somewhat decent one

Guess my 02 will have to do

Quoted: Guess my 02 will have to do

Just hope it doenst end up like every vehilce I have tried to keep decent.

www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101065

S.O.

As long as they don't canel the Excursion....

Quoted: As long as they don't canel the Excursion....

Didn't Ford cancel the Excursion last year.

Bummer.  I've always liked that thing, quite the toy.  I can understand it though, it's low volume market.

i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10

Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10

Yep. The Lightning once stood out as the only hot-rod pickup from the factory. Anybody really serious about leaving 11" wide black streaks everywhere they go in their pickup will surely opt for the 10-cylinder prescription.

- Or: -
<tinfoil hat on>
They're afraid the Lighting will steal sales from the Ford GT.
<tinfoil hat off>

Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10

Yea that SRT-10 looks like the real deal, that thing is no joke.

Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10

EXACTLY

this thing kicks ass.

Just got one in August.

Traded my 2002 Z06 'Vette on it.

Puts a bigger smile on my face than the Z06 did - and that's saying alot.

Two completely different performance vehicles.

One heck of a ride!!!!

Dodge RAM SRT-10:
- 500HP/525ft-lb V-10 (same engine as Viper)
- 6-speed manual with Hurst shifter (same transmission as Viper)
- Dana-60 rear-end
- 22" wheels with Perelli Scorpion Zero's
- Infinity audio system (amp/sub-woofer/5 speakers)

www.lhup.edu/dfisher/srt1002.jpg
www.lhup.edu/dfisher/srt1003.jpg
www.lhup.edu/dfisher/srt1004.jpg
www.lhup.edu/dfisher/srt1005.jpg

Quoted: Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10 EXACTLY

Do you know what you are talking about? An L with less than 1k in mods will SMOKE an SRT-10 all day long. The SRT-10 is an overhyped tank. They are not that fast, esp for 500 hp. Not that I dont like them. But the hard to master 6-spd and limited traction makes for slow 1/4 mile times. I think the fastest I have seen was a high 13

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10 EXACTLY Do you know what you are talking about? An L with less than 1k in mods will SMOKE an SRT-10 all day long. The SRT-10 is an overhyped tank. They are not that fast, esp for 500 hp. Not that I dont like them. But the hard to master 6-spd and limited traction makes for slow 1/4 mile times. I think the fastest I have seen was a high 13

Have you ever driven an SRT-10 (weight 5,150lbs)?

Have you ever driven a Ligntning (weight 4,700lbs)? What less than $1K mode will do this trick?

Have you ever driven a Z06 'Vette?

I own/owned the SRT-10 and 'Z06 and know what they have. The Lightning ain't in the same league.

The two comparisons that I've seen on TV between the SRT-10, Lightning, and Gibbs Chevy left the SRT-10 way ahead of the competition. This was on "Car And Driver" and "Trucks".

I have ridden in an SRT-10, and a Zo6. A ZO6 is an 11 sec street car, the SRT-10 is sure as hell not. Have you ever raced an L, or taken the SRT-10 to the track? How about these for mods, +4 pulleys and a tune? Less than 1k, and a solid 12 second truck. My brother has an 02 L, so I know what they do. Hell, even I have a little turbo 4.2 F150 with 330 rwhp.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10 EXACTLY Do you know what you are talking about? An L with less than 1k in mods will SMOKE an SRT-10 all day long. The SRT-10 is an overhyped tank. They are not that fast, esp for 500 hp. Not that I dont like them. But the hard to master 6-spd and limited traction makes for slow 1/4 mile times. I think the fastest I have seen was a high 13

That is the dumbest post all day.

First off, we are talking about stock vehicles.
Second off, what happens when you do 1K in mods to an SRT-10?
Overhyped tank? If that is what the SRT-10 is, then what does that make the lightning?
Hard to master 6 speed? ummm k. you don't know shit about manuals do you?


now that i have shot your entire post down, you can go back to your hole.

Quoted: I have ridden in an SRT-10, and a Zo6. A ZO6 is an 11 sec street car, the SRT-10 is sure as hell not. Have you ever raced an L, or taken the SRT-10 to the track? How about these for mods, +4 pulleys and a tune? Less than 1k, and a solid 12 second truck. My brother has an 02 L, so I know what they do. Hell, even I have a little turbo 4.2 F150 with 330 rwhp.

it isn't a turbosupercharger is it?

Quoted: Just got one in August. Traded my 2002 Z06 'Vette on it.

No offense, but  

Fact is, the Gen 3 Lightning would have gone toe to toe with the SRT-10, for lless money.

An extra 100 HP out of the Dodge costs $30k from a decent tuner. An extra 100 HP for a Gen 2 Lightning like mine is $800 at the mechanics shop.

I should run even with an SRT-10 (actual race, not with a pro dragger behind the wheel) after I get a pulley, intake, WOT bypass, and chip. I'll do an electric fan while I'm at it too.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10 EXACTLY Do you know what you are talking about? An L with less than 1k in mods will SMOKE an SRT-10 all day long. The SRT-10 is an overhyped tank. They are not that fast, esp for 500 hp. Not that I dont like them. But the hard to master 6-spd and limited traction makes for slow 1/4 mile times. I think the fastest I have seen was a high 13 That is the dumbest post all day. First off, we are talking about stock vehicles. Second off, what happens when you do 1K in mods to an SRT-10? Overhyped tank? If that is what the SRT-10 is, then what does that make the lightning? Hard to master 6 speed? ummm k. you don't know shit about manuals do you? now that i have shot your entire post down, you can go back to your hole.

Excuse the fuck outta me then, I forgot you are the master of all truck knowledge. Another, I have driven a manual my whole life asshole. 55k truck vs. a 29k truck. You do the math. Lastly, who the fuck keeps a performance vehicle stock?  Your post is the dumbest all day. How many 11 and 10 second SRT-10s do you know of smartass?

Quoted: Quoted: I have ridden in an SRT-10, and a Zo6. A ZO6 is an 11 sec street car, the SRT-10 is sure as hell not. Have you ever raced an L, or taken the SRT-10 to the track? How about these for mods, +4 pulleys and a tune? Less than 1k, and a solid 12 second truck. My brother has an 02 L, so I know what they do. Hell, even I have a little turbo 4.2 F150 with 330 rwhp. it isn't a turbosupercharger is it?

An Eaton M112 is on the L. A T3/T4 hybrid turbo is on my 4.2. The Srt-10 is NA.

Quoted: Quoted: Just got one in August. Traded my 2002 Z06 'Vette on it. No offense, but

to each his own.

Personally, i would also rather have the SRT-10.

Why? because everyone has a vette.*
it's different, and i like the thought of a 500 horse truck.
sure, it doesn't handle as well, are isn't as fast or quick, but it also in a different class of vehicles.

i say again,
to each his own.

Quoted: Quoted: Just got one in August. Traded my 2002 Z06 'Vette on it. No offense, but

Just got tired of it, time for a change!!!!

Tag. I love these kinds of posts.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: i would too if i knew i had to compete with the Dodge SRT-10 EXACTLY Do you know what you are talking about? An L with less than 1k in mods will SMOKE an SRT-10 all day long. The SRT-10 is an overhyped tank. They are not that fast, esp for 500 hp. Not that I dont like them. But the hard to master 6-spd and limited traction makes for slow 1/4 mile times. I think the fastest I have seen was a high 13 That is the dumbest post all day. First off, we are talking about stock vehicles. Second off, what happens when you do 1K in mods to an SRT-10? Overhyped tank? If that is what the SRT-10 is, then what does that make the lightning? Hard to master 6 speed? ummm k. you don't know shit about manuals do you? now that i have shot your entire post down, you can go back to your hole. Excuse the fuck outta me then, I forgot you are the master of all truck knowledge. Another, I have driven a manual my whole life asshole. 55k truck vs. a 29k truck. You do the math. Lastly, who the fuck keeps a performance vehicle stock?  Your post is the dumbest all day. How many 11 and 10 second SRT-10s do you know of smartass?

Shit, a guy could take damn near any vehicle to run 11's, provided they had the money.
we are talking about stock vehicles.

This is not a "well i could put a grand in my truck and kick your stock vehicle's ass!!" thread.
This thread compares two STOCK (AS IN, NO MODS WHATSOEVER) trucks.

I don't see myself buying a street pickup. Pickups need to go off road and not mind getting firewood thrown at them.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I have ridden in an SRT-10, and a Zo6. A ZO6 is an 11 sec street car, the SRT-10 is sure as hell not. Have you ever raced an L, or taken the SRT-10 to the track? How about these for mods, +4 pulleys and a tune? Less than 1k, and a solid 12 second truck. My brother has an 02 L, so I know what they do. Hell, even I have a little turbo 4.2 F150 with 330 rwhp. it isn't a turbosupercharger is it? An Eaton M112 is on the L. A T3/T4 hybrid turbo is on my 4.2. The Srt-10 is NA.

by the way, what i said right there was a joke, from a different thread. that's all.

Quoted: 55k truck vs. a 29k truck

I paid $42K for my SRT-10 - MSRP was $46K.

Sticker in L is about $33K - about 29K would be right.

O, well, Im in a shitty mood. Sorry. And the P-47 thunderbolt has a turbosupercharger.


BTW:

I would buy an SRT10 in a second over an L if money was no option. I got one ride in one and I love it. Just dont hate on the L in a L thread.


42k? Awesome. Around here they were 52k. Nice price.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Just got one in August. Traded my 2002 Z06 'Vette on it. No offense, but   to each his own. Personally, i would also rather have the SRT-10. Why? because everyone has a vette.* it's different, and i like the thought of a 500 horse truck. sure, it doesn't handle as well, are isn't as fast or quick, but it also in a different class of vehicles. i say again, to each his own.

Granted, I understand that.  But a ZO6 isn't a vette just everyone has.  But like you said, to each their own.  I personally just can not fathom a $50k 2 wheel drive 2 door truck.  The Lightning I understand, the SRT-10 just seems more like a novelty, with the Viper engine of course.

Don't get me wrong, I think the SRT-10 is mean as hell, and would love to spin the tires for a bit.  But when you're talking $50k, unless I was a MOPAR fanatic and already had everything else....

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Just got one in August. Traded my 2002 Z06 'Vette on it. No offense, but   Just got tired of it, time for a change!!!!

That's cool.

Quoted: I don't see myself buying a street pickup. Pickups need to go off road and not mind getting firewood thrown at them.

for the most part, i agree.

i couldn't see myself buying a truck that i couldn't tow a couple of snowmobiles, or throw a dead elk in the back.

I've got a better question
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Who gives a rat's ass?!?!

You guys sound like the little kids in elementary school talking about how one dad could beat up another dad. Chill for goodness sake and relax. It's just a friggin truck.

Quoted: Quoted: 55k truck vs. a 29k truck I paid $42K for my SRT-10 - MSRP was $46K. Sticker in L is about $33K - about 29K would be right.

Well, $42k is a lot better than $50k.  I too thought the SRT-10 was hitting $50k.  Sorry for the misunderstanding on my part.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I have ridden in an SRT-10, and a Zo6. A ZO6 is an 11 sec street car, the SRT-10 is sure as hell not. Have you ever raced an L, or taken the SRT-10 to the track? How about these for mods, +4 pulleys and a tune? Less than 1k, and a solid 12 second truck. My brother has an 02 L, so I know what they do. Hell, even I have a little turbo 4.2 F150 with 330 rwhp. it isn't a turbosupercharger is it? An Eaton M112 is on the L. A T3/T4 hybrid turbo is on my 4.2. The Srt-10 is NA.

L?  Fucking spell it out.  LIGHTNING it's not that god damn hard.  Plus you just sound even more stupid when you just say L.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Just got one in August. Traded my 2002 Z06 'Vette on it. No offense, but   to each his own. Personally, i would also rather have the SRT-10. Why? because everyone has a vette.* it's different, and i like the thought of a 500 horse truck. sure, it doesn't handle as well, are isn't as fast or quick, but it also in a different class of vehicles. i say again, to each his own. Granted, I understand that.  But a ZO6 isn't a vette just everyone has.  But like you said, to each their own.  I personally just can not fathom a $50k 2 wheel drive 2 door truck.  The Lightening I understand, the SRT-10 just seems more like a novelty, with the Viper engine of course. Don't get me wrong, I think the SRT-10 is mean as hell, and would love to spin the tires for a bit.  But when you're talking $50k, unless I was a MOPAR fanatic and already had everything else....

point taken.
Arn't all fast cars a "novelty"?
you are right about the ZO6, not everyone owns one, but there are alot of people that own vettes.

course alot of people own rams too.

it really goes both ways.

Quoted: I've got a better question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Who gives a rat's ass?!?! You guys sound like the little kids in elementary school talking about how one dad could beat up another dad. Chill for goodness sake and relax. It's just a friggin truck.

so, which is better? AK-47 clone or AR-15?

same thing, different items.

Don't get me wrong, the Dodge is a friggin' awesome truck, but its very expensive and modifying it is hugely expensive also. Unless someone starts working on them at less than Viper prices.

My L with 20k miles was half the price of your SRT-10. I'll spend a couple thou to make it faster than it is, and maybe in the end I'll come out with a slight edge.

Too bad about the new L. I want to see this confirmed. Why would Ford drop such an easy project? The IRS come from the Expedition, the chassis is already made, the Cobra and GT share the same engine, etc.

Quoted: Quoted: I don't see myself buying a street pickup. Pickups need to go off road and not mind getting firewood thrown at them. for the most part, i agree. i couldn't see myself buying a truck that i couldn't tow a couple of snowmobiles, or throw a dead elk in the back.

This thing is just a toy for me - sort of like my NFA stuff.

I'm going on 55, have a pretty good job, looking at a pretty good pension/inventments, got the mundane stuff out of the way (house, ...), and don't plan on taking any money to the grave with me.

I have a second vehicle, not so new or fancy for the real-life stuff.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I have ridden in an SRT-10, and a Zo6. A ZO6 is an 11 sec street car, the SRT-10 is sure as hell not. Have you ever raced an L, or taken the SRT-10 to the track? How about these for mods, +4 pulleys and a tune? Less than 1k, and a solid 12 second truck. My brother has an 02 L, so I know what they do. Hell, even I have a little turbo 4.2 F150 with 330 rwhp. it isn't a turbosupercharger is it? An Eaton M112 is on the L. A T3/T4 hybrid turbo is on my 4.2. The Srt-10 is NA. L?  Fucking spell it out.  LIGHTNING it's not that god damn hard.  Plus you just sound even more stupid when you just say L.

I think its stupid too, but I use it as shorthand. Something I picked up on the nloc.com boards.

Quoted: Don't get me wrong, the Dodge is a friggin' awesome truck, but its very expensive and modifying it is hugely expensive also. Unless someone starts working on them at less than Viper prices. My L with 20k miles was half the price of your SRT-10. I'll spend a couple thou to make it faster than it is, and maybe in the end I'll come out with a slight edge. Too bad about the new L. I want to see this confirmed. Why would Ford drop such an easy project? The IRS come from the Expedition, the chassis is already made, the Cobra and GT share the same engine, etc.

The IRS doesnt work on the F150 chassis without bigtime hacking. Apparntly, they were unable to make the prototype L as fast as the 2nd Gen without massive HP, with real shitty milage. The new F150 is VERY heavy, and is just too cost prohibitive to make a serious performance truck.

Quoted: Quoted: Don't get me wrong, the Dodge is a friggin' awesome truck, but its very expensive and modifying it is hugely expensive also. Unless someone starts working on them at less than Viper prices. My L with 20k miles was half the price of your SRT-10. I'll spend a couple thou to make it faster than it is, and maybe in the end I'll come out with a slight edge. Too bad about the new L. I want to see this confirmed. Why would Ford drop such an easy project? The IRS come from the Expedition, the chassis is already made, the Cobra and GT share the same engine, etc. The IRS doesnt work on the F150 chassis without bigtime hacking. Apparntly, they were unable to make the prototype L as fast as the 2nd Gen without massive HP, with real shitty milage. The new F150 is VERY heavy, and is just too cost prohibitive to make a serious performance truck.

OEMs are idiots catering to the lowest common denominator

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Don't get me wrong, the Dodge is a friggin' awesome truck, but its very expensive and modifying it is hugely expensive also. Unless someone starts working on them at less than Viper prices. My L with 20k miles was half the price of your SRT-10. I'll spend a couple thou to make it faster than it is, and maybe in the end I'll come out with a slight edge. Too bad about the new L. I want to see this confirmed. Why would Ford drop such an easy project? The IRS come from the Expedition, the chassis is already made, the Cobra and GT share the same engine, etc. The IRS doesnt work on the F150 chassis without bigtime hacking. Apparntly, they were unable to make the prototype L as fast as the 2nd Gen without massive HP, with real shitty milage. The new F150 is VERY heavy, and is just too cost prohibitive to make a serious performance truck. OEMs are idiots catering to the lowest common denominator

Completely agreed here.

Well guess I will keep my dodge sr eating lightning a little longer

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I don't see myself buying a street pickup. Pickups need to go off road and not mind getting firewood thrown at them. for the most part, i agree. i couldn't see myself buying a truck that i couldn't tow a couple of snowmobiles, or throw a dead elk in the back. This thing is just a toy for me - sort of like my NFA stuff. I'm going on 55, have a pretty good job, looking at a pretty good pension/inventments, got the mundane stuff out of the way (house, ...), and don't plan on taking any money to the grave with me. I have a second vehicle, not so new or fancy for the real-life stuff.

drfcolt, since you're a previous O6 owner, have you seen the spy shots of the C6 ZO6 that came out yesterday:

forums.gminsidenews.com/showthread.php?threadid=8066

A lot of masking on the front end changes, but look at those rear meats!!!  

Quoted: Don't get me wrong, the Dodge is a friggin' awesome truck, but its very expensive and modifying it is hugely expensive also. Unless someone starts working on them at less than Viper prices. My L with 20k miles was half the price of your SRT-10. I'll spend a couple thou to make it faster than it is, and maybe in the end I'll come out with a slight edge. Too bad about the new L. I want to see this confirmed. Why would Ford drop such an easy project? The IRS come from the Expedition, the chassis is already made, the Cobra and GT share the same engine, etc.

The lightning in stock will outperform the dodge anyday in handling. The dodge is only faster in the straight away. A few mods and you can smoke an sr. I'm pushing 600hp out of a lighter, more manueverable truck. Dodge or a vette don't have a chance.

HA HA

Quoted: Arn't all fast cars a "novelty"? you are right about the ZO6, not everyone owns one, but there are alot of people that own vettes. course alot of people own rams too. it really goes both ways.

They make about 36,000 Corvettes a year.

They're only making about 3,500 RAM SRT-10's the first year and I heard 1,500 of them are going over-seas.

With the Viper drive-train, I doubt that production figures will be much higher in the future - they are coming out with a quad-cab version for 2005 (automatic transmission only).

Makes it a little unique. I see alot of Corvettes around, but my SRT-10 is the only one I've seen, so far.

Damn thing is a real brute - sheet-metal pit-bull.