whats up i was thinking on buying a lightning and wanted to know how i can identify it to be a real lightning any tips?? thanks!

 

A supercharged 5.4L is a big indicator haha... the early models had aluminum blocks, but the later models switched to cast iorn, rear end has 5 leafs and stabilizer, 4 wheel discs, lightning svt wheels... SVT interior... compared a regular f-150 it'd be pretty easy to determine a fake, unless they went all out, which if its sporting a blown 5.4 they are trying too hard lmao.. oh they only came in a handful of colors too, i forget the exact ones..

 

1st or 2nd gen

 

Were all lightnings supercharged ? I thought the early square body was just a 351 ?? School me

 

Pretty sure you are right.

 

1st gen had a 351w with gt40 heads, boxed frame, 4.10 gears, special rear leafs springs. rated at 245hp. gen2 have blown 5.4 2v sohc rated at 360-380 hp iirc, 3.73 gears lightning specific front bumper anything else idk

 

none of them had aluminum blocks

99-00 had a different mid plate and intercooler then the 01-04 models
99-03 had 4 thread heads some 03 and 04 heads have 8 thread heads
99-00 have 12mm wheel studs 01-04 have 14mm wheel studs
99-02 have 3 leaf springs late 02-04 have a 5 spring pack
99-00 have standard red taillights 01-04 have the clear ricer style
all have aluminum hoods
all have SVT dash cluster
some colors are specific to certain yrs
99-00 came with 355 gears 01-04 have 373
all have a 9.75 rear end
99-00 have standard 3rd brake light 01-04 have the LED 3rd brake light
99-00 have a 85mm maf 01-04 have 90mm maf
all have the PS 4r100 trans


to see if its true truck without running the vin. look for the 9.75 rear and the 4r100 trans