Ford SVT truck

[mrpink]

What's with these things? He was keeping up with me pretty good today doing 90 up hill through the mountains. I'm not used to that. I was forced to give him a thumbs up when I turned off.

[Ibr8k4vetts]

Its call a Lightning they come sock with a supercharger and do about 13.8 in the 1/4mi. I have a 2002 Lightning funnest truck I ever have driven
Mike

[mrpink]

Mike, I didn't think it was too damn funny!!
I could walk away from him, but it was the fastest thing I"ve seen follow me through the mountains. Looks like a neat little truck!

[Ibr8k4vetts]

Not alot of people know about them, it come with 380hp. and 450tq.. Mike

[G.R.]

My neighbor Larry has one, prettiest blue paint I've ever seen on a truck. And that sucker is quick and fast!! and handles extremely well. He has after market 18x9.5'' rims with Yokohama performance tires, told me this weekend he'd ordered a header setup for it, new "chips", and will being using a Borla 3.5 exhaust system.

I think if I was ever looking for another pu not for work it'd be a Lightning

[HighPlainsDrifter]

Lightning;
The lightning truck is a highly modified factory ringer.
Mario Andredi was hired by Ford to help in handling set-up.
He had it going around Ford's test track quicker than the new GT mustang.
There's another trick the're coming out with in a year's time, a slick water intercooler that works off the air conditioner to make 500 HP....now if they could lose 1,000 lbs I'd buy it.
Perry.

[BMK]

At nearly $100,000 in Australia with a few after market fittings and conversion to right hand drive, I don't know how they will sell here.



Ibr8k4vetts - Mike

Sounds like a good little truck there Mike. Good for towing the Cobra on a trailer no doubt.

Cheers

Bernie

[ToyCollector]

I used to have one of these and it is an absolute blast to drive, handling is terrific but becomes quite Cobra-like handful when the rear end breaks loose in a corner. The acceleration is extremely linear, and my arse says it pulls as hard from 70-100 as it does from 40-70 thanks to the blower. Mine was "only" stock. There are people tweaking them further and surprising even those in the know about what an SVT Lightning is. Great truck if not buying for towing a large enclosed setup.

[mikiec]

Jim,

Jerry has one. His has been tweeked with an exhaust system, chip and pulley for the S/C. Says it gets down into the 12's...

Mike

[Gordon Levy]

The lightning is a very quick truck. We have been doing some aftermarket mods on them. It is pretty easy to get well over 500hp out of them and keep them smog legal. I just wish they came with a 6 speed.

[mrpink]

Doesn't sound like the kind of truck you would take hunting or put a load of bricks in.

[G.R.]

Nope--all go show boats are what these pickups are--God forbid putting a load of bricks or rock in the bed, let alone using one for a "work" truck

[Ibr8k4vetts]

Originally posted by G.R.


Nope--all go show boats are what these pickups are--God forbid putting a load of bricks or rock in the bed, let alone using one for a "work" truck

I have to disagree with you on that one, I use my Lightning as a truck! dump runs-drywall- wood and yes tow the cobra after all it's a TRUCK I just get it done faster! LOL
Mike

[BMK]

Ibr8k4vetts

Mike

What dollars are you guys paying there?

New or second hand - say 2002 (approximately)

Cheers

Bernie

[Ibr8k4vetts]

Bernie,
I paid $32,000.00 in May of 2002 But I hear you can get a '04 for around $29,000.00 (don't I have great timming!) used '02 go for about $20,000.00 to $25,000.00.
Mike

[BMK]

Mike

Thanks for the info.



I guess the current exchange rate would bring that up to (2004) say $29,000 > $38,000 Aust. approximately plus $18,000 Aust. for conversion to right hand drive, plus freight and Customs duty.

I guess the figure does climb quickly to $75,000 Aust.



Thanks for the comparisons.

Cheers

Bernie

[G.R.]

Originally posted by Ibr8k4vetts


I have to disagree with you on that one, I use my Lightning as a truck! dump runs-drywall- wood and yes tow the cobra after all it's a TRUCK I just get it done faster! LOL
Mike

Mike I just couldn't bring myself to have a WORK truck that looked/performed as good as the SVT

[BMK]

Gary



I have a neighbour with a Ferrari ( at $360,000 ) and he lets his big dog in and out of it. The dogs in at the shopping centre, barking and running after every person walking near etc.

Good security.

If you have it - use it.

Agree with you that I would have the SVT out each day washing and polishing rather than loading the stone and bricks into it.



Then again they are just trucks.

Cheers

Bernie

[Gordon Levy]

Why convert it to right hand drive? I know of several american cars down under that are left hand drive with no issues.

[BMK]

Hi Gordon

The Australian guidlines require any vehicle that is driven on the road be in the right hand drive situ.

If a car is over 30 years of age it can be kept left hand drive.

This does not include replica vehicles such as a Thunderbird replica. THis would be seen as plated the year of the donour vehicle. 1995 Pontiac etc.



This is the reason that the early Chev's, Mustangs etc. are popular here.

You can get a 30 day permit to drive a left hand drive vehicle under 30 years of age, but that is clear in its requirements to use the vehicle only when moving it from say a workshop to another.

Diplomats in the Australian Capital Territory did have the ability to bring their cars from say the USA and keep them left hand drive, but even that has stopped with insurance etc. making it cheaper and easier to use the Diplomatic/Consul vehicles.

Additionally, there is a SR registration (Special Registration) that allows certain vehicles to be used on club events etc. I have not seen any late model left hand drive cars on this registration. Its more the '32 Ford Street Rods, "T" bucket etc. on this.

- comparisons

We can have the early Mustangs converted for around $3,500 Aust and the later cars such as a 1998 vette for $18,000 or so. Obviously, once you get into the more complicated conversion the price goes up.

Another popular import is the Chev utilities and the Ford utility. Nearby they have a HD Ford ute for sale at $85,000 Aust.

Whilst I don't make every swap meet and car show I am certain that there only a very few late model imports here in left hand drive. Generally they are on 30 day permits and owners would have them at events to sell them.

Someone else from downunder may come on here and correct me.

If this changes I will be on the telephone to you guys there to send me a late model pick up. And to hell with the Customs/Tax.



I believe its harder here than California.

Cheers

Bernie