Truck Yeah! 1000+RWHP Turbo Ford Lightning

"offroadkarter" (04RauderDTR)
05/21/2014 at 11:00 • Filed to: ford, lightning, F150, truck yeah

If theirs one type of vehicle we don't talk about enough here around Oppositelock, its sport trucks. I know , I know , trucks don't have the handling dynamics of our lord and savior Miata, nor do they have those sexy body lines like a Volvo station wagon. Still, sport trucks need a few more features around here and I'm about to change that with today's subject.

What happens when you take a stock 380hp supercharged 5.4L, throw out basically everything, and slap on a 82mm turbo? You get a truck that can push north of 1200hp to the wheels, run mid 9 second 1/4 mile times, and run over 150mph in the 1/2 mile on street tires in third gear. I don't care who you are or what you're into as far as automobiles, those are impressive numbers for anything that moves.

When the second generation Lightning came out in 1999 packing 360hp and 440tq thanks to its Eaton supercharged 5.4L, it basically turned the entire sport truck world on its head. For reference, the 1993-95 Lightning used a 5.8L Windsor V8 that made 240hp and 340tq. The new Lightning was now the most powerful street bruiser SVT had in its lineup. More powerful than the Cobra and don't even consider putting the Contour up against this. The 99-00 trucks were good for 0-60's of 6.2 seconds and a 1/4 mile of 14.6 seconds.

When 2001 rolled around, Ford gave the Lightning a minor update in appearances and performance. The truck gained a larger MAF, a new rear gear ratio, and some Bilstein shocks. The same 5.4L now sings to a new tune of 380hp and 450tq. The 2001-2004 trucks are good for a 0-60 of 5.8 and a 1/4 mile of 13.9 seconds.

To say this thing could slay tires is an understatement, even the people behind the Ford press release photos knew that

(Source: Ford)

But as I mentioned earlier, the truck we are talking about is FAR from a factory lightning. Which brings me to my next point and hopefully will answer a question a lot of you are probably asking. "Who would want to build up a truck?" Answer: many people. The SVT Lightning came with forged pistons and a forged crank. This let you crank up the power to 450rwhp before it was time to upgrade the internals. Still, the engine with factory boost and a robust transmission sending power to a strong rear axle (Fords 4R100 + 9.75" Rear) made this truck into a great platform to build off of. The 5.4 is a torque monster of an engine and even the factory output shows that.

Inside this red 2000 Lightning, we find a Precision Industries billet 82mm ball bearing turbo with custom headers, a 4" down pipe and a 50mm wastegate. This truck was built with one goal in mind: going really really f*cking fast. ABS, Airbags, Factory 6CD Changer, HVAC with A/C; these are all items stripped out of this truck in the name of weight savings. Even though this truck has been stripped of some of its creature comforts, it still retains a license plate and can still be driven on the street because it is still a street truck.

(How am I supposed to drop the bass with this?)

This truck has also received some help in the suspension department so it can cope with the monstrous power. It is lowered with JLP 4" shackles and Hotchkis leafs with Belltech spindles and JDM drag springs. It also has QA1 shocks all around and JDM long bars connected to a built 3.55 rear end sporting a Detroit Truetrack and JDM girdle. In street trim this truck rides on a set of HRE ($$$) wheels which I think fit the look perfectly.

So you're probably thinking "Okay, this all sounds like some big numbers, but how can a truck that weighs 4450lbs be quick?" Simple answer, like this:

(Source:1320Video)

Rocking a set of Bogart wheels for the track, this truck ripped off a 9.81 @ 141.68mph in the 1/4 with the power dialed back to around 950rwhp. The functionality of this truck really shines when you can dismount the Bogart drag wheels, put the truck back to street trim, and go hit up the 1/2 mile event.

Traction was a limiting factor, but even with the boost turned down and overdrive disabled, the truck hit 157mph.

Building a truck that can take down a majority of supercars (in a straight line) is such a hilariously awesome idea that I felt the need to share it with all of you today. Any vehicle out there has potential to be something cool, it just depends on how much money you are willing to throw into it.

Just remember one thing, you never know what you are going to come across the next time you pull up to a stop light. So if you happen to be sitting next to a big old truck that sounds like half the exhaust is missing and the engine is making a funny whistling noise like a jet aircraft, it might be in your best interest not to provoke a race between the lights.

Quick Specs:

2000 Ford Lightning

5.4L (331ci) Triton V8 with Trickflow heads and Manley forged rotating assembly

Custom PSI Motorsports Intercooled 82mm turbo kit

AMS 1000 Boost Controller

Brian's Truck Shop 4R100 with PI Stall Converter

Built 3.55 rear with Detroit Truetrac

PSI/FORE fuel system with three Walboro pumps, Fore regulator, Aeromotoive rails and 78lbs injectors.

Additional Sources:

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Houston Half Mile Shootout - SVTPerformance

2000 Ford Turbo Lightning - SVTPerformance

Lightning History - Ford

DISCUSSION (28)

Imirrelephant > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 11:05

(How am I supposed to drop the bass with this?) - Just stand on the loud pedal!

I have always loved these trucks. Thanks for the write up!

Sn210 > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 11:08

now that's awesome. I've got a Syclone, first gen Lightning, SRT10 Ram, and the original SRT Jeep GC on my bucket list. Something about brutal straightline performance in something that looks like a truck sounds like tons of fun to me.

Justin is driven > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 11:08

Trucks can be cool. I really like the idea of taking a small truck and making it handle. We all bemoan the lack of small, cheap, RWD cars, but there are plenty of trucks out there that fit the bill.

offroadkarter > Justin is driven
05/21/2014 at 11:17

I am trying to remember what /DRIVE network show it was, I think it was tuned, but they featured a really crazy syclone that was built into a corner carving race truck.

offroadkarter > Sn210
05/21/2014 at 11:19

you pretty much can't go wrong with any muscle truck (unless its a 454SS or silverado SS). I always liked that the SRT10 could be had with a manual. I to love the WK1 SRT8 jeep. Give me the WK2 engine, 8spd trans, and interior and put it in a WK1 body and I'll be happy.

offroadkarter > Imirrelephant
05/21/2014 at 11:20

Dubstep by DJ Precision 82mm

Justin is driven > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 11:34

Yeah that was tuned. That thing was awesome beyond belief, but it's kind of not what what I want. I want something brutally reliable and cheap that can still get thrown around an autocross course or a drift day without embarrassing itself. Take that syclone and dial it back about 60%, and that's what I mean. Cheap, reliable, fun.

offroadkarter > Justin is driven
05/21/2014 at 11:35

Brutally reliable, okay cross everything made by GM off your list

I have seen people Auto-X lightnings. Not saying it'll be as nimble as a FR-S but it can be done.

Justin is driven > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 11:38

A Tacoma or older Toyota pickup is definitely in the realm of possibility, but the problem is the cost. Nothing holds its value like an old Taco. It's weird.

offroadkarter > Justin is driven
05/21/2014 at 11:39

didn't they have a sport tacoma called the X runner or something?

Although I don't know if it was a real sport truck or a sport truck in the sense that a corolla S is a sports sedan.

Justin is driven > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 11:45

Those things are actually pretty rad.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 11:51

damn that's a cool truck.

Also, I love trucks

T5Killer > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 12:02

LOL those 454SS were such a joke. I remember beating one in a stock 95 Mustang GT convertible that was automatic. And that car was sloooooooooooow.

offroadkarter > T5Killer
05/21/2014 at 12:05

boat anchor + bed decals = 454SS

The Syclone/Typhoon was the correct way to build a sports truck

The 454SS was the correct way on how to not build a sports truck

T5Killer > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 12:11

The Syclone/Typhoons were so awesome GM was beyond dumb not making a 2nd gen of those with new for '95 Body style.

offroadkarter > T5Killer
05/21/2014 at 12:14

Well they did come out with the S10/Blazer Xtreme

Which those are as much of a sports truck as the corolla is a sports sedan.

T5Killer > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 12:46

LOL I lothe those Xtremes since everyone I ever saw around here had the base 4cyl and not the 4.3. Not that the 4.3 was a rocketship. And there was the S-10 SS which was before the extreme but not have a HP difference

Slow4o > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 19:54

God I want a Lightning in that kick ass Mineral Gray color as a car hauler, but I already have my wife's F-150. So instead I'll just have the shit tuned out of that EcoBoost engine once the warranty is up haha.

offroadkarter > Slow4o
05/21/2014 at 20:13

dark shadow grey is the color you are looking for

and those ecoboost f150's are no joke!

Slow4o > offroadkarter
05/21/2014 at 20:32

Yea that's it. Man those are fine looking trucks in that color.