f150 lightning

[miketa95]

okay so I'm still on my car search, I need something to pull a landscaping trailer, but I would like something with some performance. I'm maxing out in the $16,000 range, so as much as I would like a trailblazer ss or silverado SS, it's not possible. I was looking at some F-150 lightnings though. A co-worker of mine has one, and it seems like a good mix of practicality and performance. Anyone have any experience with these / suggest something better?

So far, my only other practical choice has been an 05/06 xterra, but their lacking in the performance area, and they don't have a bed which would be useful. I also don't really want a plain work truck because it'll be my daily driver as well.

[01blackz28]

deisel pickup truck. a lightning has the power to tow though thats for sure.

[CamaroGirlie]

Darknight7096 just traded his f150 lightning in for an f150 harley davidson...His lighting had a crapload of performance but he put a lot of money into it. The dealership just sold his lightning for $14,500.

[35thls1ss19]

diesel. even if it is older. they run forever! once you get a diesel you will never own a gas truck again. i know i wont!

[miketa95]

diesels are usually more expensive, harder to find, and the gas costs a lot.

[bobb1589]

Darknight7096 just traded his f150 lightning in for an f150 harley davidson...His lighting had a crapload of performance but he put a lot of money into it. The dealership just sold his lightning for $14,500.
ahh martin sold it?

[Mike]

newer lightnings don't tow for ****

[miketa95]

the trailer isnt that heavy, 2990 gvwr

[35thls1ss19]

diesels are usually more expensive, harder to find, and the gas costs a lot.

more expensive yes, there all over! and more for fuel but i get 20-24 mpg, not 8 like my old f150 5.8! And torque is so much fun :)

[7pointoh]

I wouldn't get a Lightning to tow.

[HeadlessNorseman]

The duramax trucks are indeeed badass. My grandpa raced me in my supra and won. My supra wasnt that fast but it also wasnt a 7000 lb truck. I would get one of those over a lightning, if you can find one cheap enough. And like said they will do 20mpg or better, which obviously adds up if you run a business

[7998]

I didnt think you could tow much with a Lightning?

[Mike]

in 04 it was 5k

previous years were less

[NJSPEEDER]

Lightnings are definitely fun trucks and there is a lot of aftermarket support to make them even more fun. :)

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

Love the L's...bad looking truck w/ a good aftermarket...Few small mods and they run low 13's

[madness410]

dam man are you sure u want that nice of a truck for a landscaping business? when i had one with my friends we used his crv, it got dirty inside, he would clean it, next weekend it was worse. also i cant count on one hands how many times he scratched it. keep the trans am and buy a beater truck would my recommendation

[Mike]

Love the L's...bad looking truck w/ a good aftermarket...Few small mods and they run low 13's

a few small mods will get them into the 12s, if they are the right small mods

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

a few small mods will get them into the 12s, if they are the right small mods All depends on what year...and what your definition of small mods is.

[NJSPEEDER]

Exhaust, tune, CAI has been enough for some guys to get into the 12's.

Most of the problem is just getting the power down. Bed = no weight on the rear tires.

[jin1481]

buddy has one, sick trucks

[NJSPEEDER]

I am waiting for Nick the Hammer to chime in. His Lightning is a pretty nasty little piece.

[CamaroGirlie]

ahh martin sold it?

Yea with him losing his job at Verizon, he couldnt afford the Lightning, GTP and the Marauder. So I found him a 2006 Harley Davidson F150 and he traded in the lightning and gtp for it.

[Mike]

cold air ,exhaust, pulley, tune, sticky tires.....

[sweetbmxrider]

what about the chevy ss trucks? i don't know what they tow but they are sweet rides. lightnings are awesome though, no doubt. like it was said though, landscaping + nice truck = not nice truck.

[miketa95]

i don't like the silverado ss's because their just silverado's basically, nothing too special. I really like TBSS's but their like 20k+, way too much for me.

[bad64chevelle]

Love the L's...bad looking truck w/ a good aftermarket...Few small mods and they run low 13's

The Hammer has a 99 Lightning: Air Filter, bassani exhaust, tune, and a took the passenger seat out and is 12.8. AND he towed he Granada down to Ocean City, MD without any problems.

[lastcall190]

diesel. even if it is older. they run forever! once you get a diesel you will never own a gas truck again. i know i wont!

Agreed. Yes fuel is more expensive, but there are other good factors to consider as well.

-J

[bobb1589]

Yea with him losing his job at Verizon, he couldnt afford the Lightning, GTP and the Marauder. So I found him a 2006 Harley Davidson F150 and he traded in the lightning and gtp for it.

oh dam i didnt know he lost his job... thats a shame...the economy im guessing?

[miketa95]

dam man are you sure u want that nice of a truck for a landscaping business? when i had one with my friends we used his crv, it got dirty inside, he would clean it, next weekend it was worse. also i cant count on one hands how many times he scratched it. keep the trans am and buy a beater truck would my recommendation

Rubber floor mats from wal-mart and some seat covers and it should be fine. I want a reliable car that why I'm not just getting a beater and keeping the TA. Not to mention the insurance on two cars, and the fact my parents wouldnt like my having two cars outside my house, along with a trailer, my sisters g35, my brothers monte carlo, and my little brothers car when he gets his license next month.

[35thls1ss19]

my friend has a lightning which he bought to tow his boat. his boat has to weight 5-6000lbs, it a 27' baja. Tows it good then he runs 12's at the track.

[CamaroGirlie]

oh dam i didnt know he lost his job... thats a shame...the economy im guessing?

I don't think it was because of the economy.....Verizon was basically cleaning house. They fired around 20 people for various different reasons that couldn't be proven true or false. But he's enjoying unemployment and staying up on the computer till 3 am everynight lol

[Tru2Chevy]

Another vote for a diesel.....grab an older Dodge truck with the Cummins 5.9 in it, and you'll never look back.

- Justin

[NJSPEEDER]

The extra mpg of a diesel truck compared to gas more than offsets the extra fuel cost. Most diesels can get close to the same mileage towing that their gas counter parts get with no payload at all.

[miketa95]

even when diesel gas is like $4.50+ in the summer?

[Mike]

yes because regular was 2.50+ as well

[35thls1ss19]

The extra mpg of a diesel truck compared to gas more than offsets the extra fuel cost. Most diesels can get close to the same mileage towing that their gas counter parts get with no payload at all.

Very tru! I love my powerstoke but i was def looking for an older 12 valve cummins before i got it. Cummins is the way to go you can make crazy power cheap! :lol: Cummins conversion one day :)

[35thls1ss19]

yes because regular was 2.50+ as well

:nod:

[lastcall190]

Very tru! I love my powerstoke but i was def looking for an older 12 valve cummins before i got it. Cummins is the way to go you can make crazy power cheap! :lol: Cummins conversion one day :)

+1... a 12V would be a fun project.

Too bad the dodge trucks are usually ALL rusted.

[81malibu]

+1... a 12V would be a fun project.

Too bad the dodge trucks are usually ALL rusted.



too bad youre an idiot

[35thls1ss19]

+1... a 12V would be a fun project.

Too bad the dodge trucks are usually ALL rusted.

very tru dodges are rust buckets

[jims69camaro]

Rubber floor mats from wal-mart and some seat covers and it should be fine. I want a reliable car that why I'm not just getting a beater and keeping the TA. Not to mention the insurance on two cars, and the fact my parents wouldnt like my having two cars outside my house, along with a trailer, my sisters g35, my brothers monte carlo, and my little brothers car when he gets his license next month.

move out.

i don't know what it is with kids these days. they live at home until they're 30. gtfo. get your own life without parents and accept some responsibility. with your own place you set your own rules, provided you don't piss off the neighbors. now is an excellent time to buy a house, too, with prices in the toilet.

btw, i left home when i was 17 - i wanted my own space; i've never turned back nor borrowed money from my father. get your **** together and get your own place.

[Knipps]

move out.

i don't know what it is with kids these days. they live at home until they're 30. gtfo. get your own life without parents and accept some responsibility. with your own place you set your own rules, provided you don't piss off the neighbors. now is an excellent time to buy a house, too, with prices in the toilet.

btw, i left home when i was 17 - i wanted my own space; i've never turned back nor borrowed money from my father. get your **** together and get your own place.
dude, I don't know what's up with you lately but you have 0 tolerance for anything. It's not as easy to move out at 17 these days, more people are finishing high school and continuing their education. Just because you did something 30+ years ago doesn't mean it's as easy to do it today.

[miketa95]

yeah I mean i live at home because I'm paying for school and starting up a business. The last thing i need is a mortgage or rent. My older brother and sister, on the other hand, should move out...

[Mike]

move out.

i don't know what it is with kids these days. they live at home until they're 30. gtfo. get your own life without parents and accept some responsibility. with your own place you set your own rules, provided you don't piss off the neighbors. now is an excellent time to buy a house, too, with prices in the toilet.

btw, i left home when i was 17 - i wanted my own space; i've never turned back nor borrowed money from my father. get your **** together and get your own place.

housing market is good, but its not smart buying a house if you don't know if you will be getting a paycheck next month or the month after. this thread is about a truck, its not about crying that a dependent college student should move out of his house...

guess i shouldn't talk because i make good money, but i live at home because i have missed a bunch of work because of 2 back surgery's in the past year.... as soon as i get back into work ill be shopping for a house again, is that ok with you?

[maroman88]

move out.

i don't know what it is with kids these days. they live at home until they're 30. gtfo. get your own life without parents and accept some responsibility. with your own place you set your own rules, provided you don't piss off the neighbors. now is an excellent time to buy a house, too, with prices in the toilet.

btw, i left home when i was 17 - i wanted my own space; i've never turned back nor borrowed money from my father. get your **** together and get your own place.


why should i waste money on rent when i can live at home? i went thru school with a part time job, now i have 2 part time jobs, i never really save money cuz i dont make that much. once i get a full time job that pays good, guess waht? im still guna live at home! this way i can save up for a nice down payment on a house. no need to pay a landlord rent and my moms here to clean and do my laundry! im glad u moved out at the age of 17, reallllly proud of u bud

[FIcamaroRE92]

too bad youre an idiot

LOL

get a 2003 cummins 5.9 or 6.7 and you'll never turn back.

[Tru2Chevy]

LOL

get a 2003 cummins 5.9 or 6.7 and you'll never turn back.

Noooooo....stay away from the new 6.7s (not that you'll find one in your price range).

12v or 24v 5.9....the older trucks with the 12v will be cheaper.

My brother paid 32k 1 year ago for his '05 Ram 3500 crew cab long bed 4x4 with the 24v 5.9.

Go just a few years older to the 12v trucks and you'll see a nice price drop.

- Jusitn

[FIcamaroRE92]

Noooooo....stay away from the new 6.7s (not that you'll find one in your price range).

12v or 24v 5.9....the older trucks with the 12v will be cheaper.

My brother paid 32k 1 year ago for his '05 Ram 3500 crew cab long bed 4x4 with the 24v 5.9.

Go just a few years older to the 12v trucks and you'll see a nice price drop.

- Jusitn

ahhha wasnt thinking about the price range

[Tru2Chevy]

ahhha wasnt thinking about the price range

Regardless, the 6.7s are garbage with all the new emissions controls on them. People are taking them back to dealers for warranty work like crazy....

- Justin

[lastcall190]

Regardless, the 6.7s are garbage with all the new emissions controls on them. People are taking them back to dealers for warranty work like crazy....

- Justin

Agreed. The DPF definitely does not seem to be helping the situation with any of the Big 3 diesel trucks.

-J

[FIcamaroRE92]

Regardless, the 6.7s are garbage with all the new emissions controls on them. People are taking them back to dealers for warranty work like crazy....

- Justin

Agreed my friend encountered alot of problems with it, Wasn't even thinking about that when I first recommended it lol

[jims69camaro]

this thread is about a truck, its not about crying that a dependent college student should move out of his house...

so i would be the first to hijack a thread? :lol:

yeah, i seem to have zero tolerance for ********. it's not a new occurrence, it's been that way all of my life. btw, the small print didn't say anything about rent. rent is a waste of time, and you might as well stay where you are and pay your parents the rent so that at least someone is benefiting from it. i said get a place, house, whatever. don't rent unless you absolutely have to.

while the OP stated that he needs a truck for his business, there are so many underlying issues as to why he needs it. he's starting a business, which i think is something everyone should do just to see if they have the aptitude for it. not everyone can be successful on their own. then again, not everyone has the ability to even think about a business, they get so caught up in chasing the weekly paycheck.

as to why should you move out if you don't know if there will be a paycheck - i know things haven't changed that much since i struck out on my own. you do what you have to in order to get by in the lean times and bank it in the plentiful times. you do whatever you have to to make sure there is a weekly paycheck, even if that means working extra hours at your first job or getting a second job... i've had many second jobs trying to bring in enough to make sure that my family was taken care of. we've always been comfortable because i was always on the lookout for a better opportunity or a way to make a coupla extra bucks.

in my case that didn't include staying with my parents until i was 30. at that point in my life i couldn't afford a sports car, everything had to be about function. i would probably have bought a beater with a solid motor in it to get the job done. but in all reality i probably would have already had that beater, since i didn't have any toys.

as for back surgeries, i feel for you. i have had 5 procedures in the last 10 years, so i know a little something about that. in my case, i was able to depend on my wife to pick up the slack, but she knows a big payday is looming in the near future so she won't have to do it forever, and it's not like i am contributing zero to the situation. my shift will move from making money to how to make my money work for me - but that's another subject entirely.

i think this thread is about a lot more than just needing a truck. it's more about priorities, i think, which the OP is coming around to that fact that right now might not be the best time to have a fast car. he's starting to think dual (or more) purpose, as in he can have a truck for work and it doesn't have to be a basket case.

there are probably more exceptions in this club than anywhere else i have been on the internet. sweeping generalities don't always have a place here, and i apologize for making one. seems i touched a nerve with more than one member, though, so maybe this topic should have its own thread...

[69BirdX]

Lightnings are nasty trucks but bad at towing. My friends dad sold his casue he hated using it for towing. he bought a turbo deseil and likes it so much better. My friend just picked up a 97 dodge 3500 duallie. The thing is nice and will tow anything. Its clean but beatable. If you get a lightning your not gonna want to destroy it like a regular truck.

[BlueGTS]

Jim, I agree with your sentiments 100% but you have to understand that housing over the past 8 years is nothing like it was in the years prior. That is to say pre-2000 you could by a first home at 2x - 3x your yearly income. After 2000 that number has jumped to 4x to 5x your yearly income. The cost of houses now really makes 1st time home buying a challenge. Add to that how much you have to put down now a days and it is a daunting task. With that said, I do agree everyone should jump in as soon as possible as it is the right move.

[jims69camaro]

Jim, I agree with your sentiments 100% but you have to understand that housing over the past 8 years is nothing like it was in the years prior. That is to say pre-2000 you could by a first home at 2x - 3x your yearly income. After 2000 that number has jumped to 4x to 5x your yearly income. The cost of houses now really makes 1st time home buying a challenge. Add to that how much you have to put down now a days and it is a daunting task. With that said, I do agree everyone should jump in as soon as possible as it is the right move.

thank you.

not to beat a dead horse, but if you buy a house and fail it's not like your parents wouldn't help you out down the road. it's taking that first step that will get you down the path...

there are plenty of people who are doing it. hell, if you have to, grab a bunch of your freeloading friends and have them pay you to rent a room while you pay the mortgage. that kills multiple birds with a single rock. :mrgreen: that's exactly how i bought my first house.

also, in these trying times, the motivated seller is easier to find. that's the guy who will accept below market for the house just to get out from under it. that's also how you show the bank that you are putting your 20% into it. example, house costs 100k. seller accepts 80k, but all of the paperwork shows you bought the house for 100k. bank cuts the seller a check for 80, he walks away happy and you just got into your first home with zero dollars down. this is how i bought the house i am in right now and the numbers aren't that far off. meanwhile, i refied for a lower rate, lowered the term and put the extra dollars that i saved from the lower rate into the principal every month. instead of a 30 year term, i'll be done in 15 total (only another 6 to go) and while the housing market just took a dump on all of us, my house is still worth more than i paid for it (almost double). this is all current, not 30 years ago (when i was 14, just so you know).

many have said it, but i am not sure they've put it in these terms: while a lightening might be tempting from an enthusiast point of view, you'd be much better off with something more practical for your business. just so we know, is the 16K what you expect to get from your current car? or is it some combination of car sale, savings, etc?

[BlueGTS]

Let me continue to beat the dead horse. Jim your logic is very sound but the market has changed dramatically in the past 8 years. While 100-200k starter homes were available back then they are no where to be found in NNJ today. In fact it is hard to find a livable home for less than 300k. 20% of that is 60k down because I doubt you will be able to get PMI anymore. 60k plus 10k closing costs equals $70,000 in CASH plus a mortgage of around $2000 a month with taxes and insurance. These numbers are drastically higher than they were 6-8 years ago. Once again I believe that getting into a house as soon as possible is the best move anyone can make but I can see how high the hurtle is currently.

Jim you have to also remember that sometimes people need to make mistakes themselves as not everyone wants a house. When I first started working all I wanted was a serious sports car. That was my #1 goal. Stupid yes, but I got that sports car within 6 months of working. If someone at the time would have told me to put my money into a house I would have laughed as that was not my goal.

As for the lightning, I am not sold on the utility of a regular cab truck. How about the SCed Harley extended cab truck?

[Mike]

thats why i havent moved out. when i move out im not going to put myself in a situation where i need a dozen room mates, or where i need to beg for money.

im also not going to buy a house that i wont want in 2 years, which means ill be looking a lot longer than most people

[miketa95]

I have savings I was going to use to make a down payment, then i was hoping to finance it. I figured it would be a step toward building credit for the day I do buy a house, which will be no sooner than the day I finish college.

The harley davidson's are nice, but their usually a lot more than the lightning's from what i've seen. I wouldn't rule one out at the same time. I can get away with a regular cab though because it's just me and my brother. Also, people have me looking at diesels but I haven't seen anything special yet.

And everyone keeps talking about the towing capacity, but a flat single axle landscape trailer really is nothing. I use a 6cyl envoy to pull it now and it pulls it easily, so i'm sure the lightning can too.

[69BirdX]

Im not saying the lightning cant pull it my friends dad used it to pull hiss 66 shelby gt350 in an enclosed trailer. But he hated it for towing

[FIcamaroRE92]

RAM SRT-10 FTW, out of your price range tho.

[NJSPEEDER]

RAM SRT-10 FTW, out of your price range tho.

If you get one, get used to buying transmissions. The 6sd in them is the same spec that they put in Vipers that weighed 1500lbs less. No weight over the rear = wheel hop = transgob00m!

They are cool trucks though. I would rock one.

[miketa95]

during my search i found an 02 f150 fx4 4x4 supercab I really like. It's half the price, $8500 with 68,000 miles. Its for sale in philly and this place apparently gives you a 6 month warranty. I'm going to check it out, even though it isn't performance oriented, because its an awesome price.

[FlyingDutchman]

I have a friend whos selling his '99 F350 Super Duty w/ 7.3L T....its got plenty of power considering its chipped...and its on 35in MT wit a 6in lift that might be overkill however
btw it sits 6 comfortably wit a huge bed...askin 10K

[35thls1ss19]

I have a friend whos selling his '99 F350 Super Duty w/ 7.3L T....its got plenty of power considering its chipped...and its on 35in MT wit a 6in lift that might be overkill however
btw it sits 6 comfortably wit a huge bed...askin 10K

there ya go! i love my psd! what kind of miles on it? sounds like a good price.

[Dark_Knight7096]

As for the lightning, I am not sold on the utility of a regular cab truck. How about the SCed Harley extended cab truck?



Having owned a lightning I would probably second this. The regular cab was always kinda small for me. I have hauled and towed stuff before and have had zero problems whatsoever, but the HD f-150s were much better for towing and hauling than the lightnings were. You can fit 4 confortably, 5 if you squeeze the folks in back a bit, and you still have a lot to play with so far as power go. Uses all the same mods as a lightning, just weighs a little more so, all things being equal, you won't be as fast as a lightning, but it may work out better for you.


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=75&address=08610&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=FORD&model=F150PICKUP&make2=&start_year=2001&end_year=2004&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=072097114108101121&keywordsfyc=__SGFybGV5__&keywords_display=Harley&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=&sownerid=71120&rdm=1233898516268

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=254837229&dealer_id=1381807&car_year=2003&rdm=1233898622210&model=F150PICKUP&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2001&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&sownerid=71120&showZipError=n&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=08610&advanced=y&end_year=2004&doors=Four+Door&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=39&standard=false

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=212495657&dealer_id=58900669&car_year=2001&rdm=1233898622210&num_records=25&model=F150PICKUP&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=2001&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&sownerid=71120&first_record=26&make=FORD&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=08610&advanced=y&end_year=2004&pager.offset=25&transmission=&doors=Four+Door&max_price=&cardist=62&standard=false



Only thing to watch when buying an HD F-150, is they didn't S/C them until 01 or 02, i'm thinking it was '02 though, so be careful of that. They stopped S/Cing them in the '06 model year (first time avail with new body style), but you can get them in AWD/4x4 now, though the '08s in 4x2 you can find the Saleen S/Ced.