'Stang guy lookin for a first Gen

[HIVOLTJ]

Hey guys, I'm thinkin about getting a first generation Lightning! Just wondering if you guys could tell me the best place, how hard are they to find, what should I pay, things to look for, spot fakes, etc. I would prefer one with under 100k miles, not heavily modded, is this unrealistic? Who tows with theirs??

[Constable]

Best place to find a great truck: www.nloc.net

I'd look for a southern truck and have it shipped to you. I just got mine with 50,000 miles on it from TX. Had it shipped to NJ for $800.00. The frame, suspension, and body are in awesome shape 'cause there's no snowy salty roads!

Expect to pay 7,000 to 9,000 for a clean, well maintained truck with under 100,000.

[scoutdrivinrebel]

I'm looking too. Awesome trucks!!!

[Constable]

This is about the best deal going if you want a low mile, all original truck: http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=995824

[HIVOLTJ]

How are these for a Daily driver??? anybody tow with theirs?? I'm tryin' hard to decide between this and a 4WD the same body style. Can you somewhat use 'em as a truck, or are they just another car?? I don't mean I will trash one if I get it, I am actually really a neat freak about my cars, but I would have this truck, my stang, and my bike, so take that into account

[Thndrn_Lightning]

I've got a red '93 that will likely be available April 12th. 61k original miles, I know the whole history from new. Squeaky clean, never rusted or hit, not hacked up. Super virgin truck. New tires. Only mods are 2-chamber flows in the stock cat back, Bassani off road X-pipe, and a Factory Tech valve body. Oh, and a factory-looking ram air setup. I did also put in a factory fold-down center seat that is the holy grail of Lightning parts since a only handful of '94s had them and then '95s. You might want to think about that in case you need to haul more than one passenger. If you don't need it I may consider removing it for a slight price reduction. My bottom dollar is $9k. You could truly fly in and drive home. I have pics available.

Concerning how these things are for daily drivers, they are great! If you haven't been in one, they handle like no other truck (and will even out handle the newer Lightnings). IMHO, the Windsor with off road pipe and Flowmasters is music. Just like the 5.0L Mustang's big brother. On occasion, I put a 16' trailer out back and pull around my Mustangs with no sweat. And yes, you can certainly use them as a truck. It's not a Syclone. No problem with a dirt bike out back, a big block in the bed, whatever. Don't get me wrong, it's not a SuperDuty, but it's certainly not a car.

Nloc.net is by far the best place to learn about these trucks. If you were interested I would talk your ear off about the trucks, and about this one.

Anyway, if this interests you at all, shoot me an email at krleppert at gmail dot com.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Thndrn_Lightning]

Pics sent. Thanks.

[HIVOLTJ]

Very nice truck!, I see that these trucks usually book for about 2k-3k more than similar 4x4 F150's which may influence my decision! Who drives theirs in the winter?? Rust/corrosion is not a problem around here, I am more concerned about the driving manners of a 2wd on snow! I can't think of a time within the last couple of years when I really have needed a 4wd, but I don't want to be wishing I had one after buying an L. The winters really aren't bad here anymore, we get maybe 2 decent snowstorms a year. I hope someone who drives theirs year round will chime in! I'm stuck between a nice lightning and a 4WD that I'm sure I would put a 4 inch lift on! The L I'm sure would be nicer for zipping around town, but the 4wd would be nice in the winter, could use for camping, etc., instead of having to borrow one. Someone should post up some pics of First Gen L's with different wheels

[Thndrn_Lightning]

Thanks.

I had a black '94 back about 10 years ago that I had to drive in Michigan year-round. 120 miles/day. I put dedicated siped snow tires on the back and some sand bags in the bed and did ok. Granted, I have grown up driving in snow, racing some on dirt tracks (sideways), used to running 5-liter Mustangs in the winter (ack!!!), and also my full time job at the time was to test vehicles on slick surfaces. With that in mind, I did fine with the Lightning. What I do now if it snows here in VA (once or twice a year) is either take the wife's car or just stay home.

Later,

[L man]

I have a Black 93 that will be for sale in the next couple of weeks. It has 74k miles and is 95% stock. Send me a PM if you might be interested.

[95KBconv]

I think I paid around $7000 for mine last year in TN. 115,000 miles or so.

It's got a rebuilt rear with an eaton and good axles and a transmission rebuilt with the latest updates. So hopefully it will be good to go for awhile.

It's clean and top shape. I drove it from Nash to Atl to Bristol the first weekend I had it. Set the cruise on 80 and away I went. Ride is fine on highway, a bit trucky around town. One thing is the gas mileage, plan on 15 or so (maybe less) mixed, I haven't measured in awhile. Also some specific repair parts can be hard to find (suspension) but they are reliable.

Also, they are Speed Density in case you plan any mods. I'm not up on SD at all but hear they don't like mods much, at least cams. You can convert to MAF but it definately isn't as cheap as a Stang due to the unique engine/auto tranny combo.

I got a 94, would have liked a 95 to match my Cobra but... I shied away from 93's, I think there were some tranny issues, no driver airbag FWIW, I don't think they have clearcoat paint and they just started getting the F4TE roller capable block late in the run (they all use a flat tappet cam). Improvements continued throughout the 3 year production run.

The engines have hyper pistons and like our 5.0's seem bulletproof. I wouldn't be afraid to run some boost on them with a good tune.

Like was said, NLOC.com it THE resourse and you can find any info over there. FWIW, I have the dealer sales brochures for a 94 and maybe another year in case you need a spec.

Anyway, I really like mine and plan on keeping it. Just a big red box, haha with some power.

I do have a brand new set of custom longtubes (with the wide Dart bolt pattern) and maybe (I haven't decided whether to hold onto it or not yet) a HD Vortech bracket I've been meaning to post. I don't have the time or money to mod 2 vehicles.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Bearly Legal]

I bought my 93 for 7200 2 years ago. It had 59k on it and i bought it from a Pontiac dealership. Always had this style truck ( had a 92 & a bronco) but this was by farthe best buy i made. super fun to drive. just hope you have deep pockets cuz it's not long before the mod bug bites you and you start buy go-fast goodies for it.

[HIVOLTJ]

I'm glad to see this thread is still goin'! I have been cruising the NLOC frequently and learning a lot there, those guys are really helpful! I'm waitin' on some more pics and info on a white '94! I know all about the mod bug, I've been building and modding my 'stang for about 4 years now, and if I get an L it won't be any different, I already have plans for headers, and building my own side exit gen2 style exhaust!

[Thndrn_Lightning]

Mine is not for sale any more.

[L man]

Originally Posted by Thndrn_Lightning

Mine is not for sale any more.

Mine too. Its hard to give up!

[Thndrn_Lightning]

Hey 95KBConv,

I think you might be the guy that bought those longtubes from me a while back (I don't have your email address any more and I can't remember your name!). You want to sell that Vortech bracket? If so, how much, and can you hit me with a quote shipped to ZIP code 23089. krleppert@gmail.com


Thanks!
Kevin

[HIVOLTJ]

drove 1000miles round trip last weekend to get my new white '94 69000 miles, great shape, bone stock! I love it! pics to come! Thanks, guys for all your help

[SVTErik529]

Man, I sure do miss my white '94

[95KBconv]

I'm thinking about selling mine...for ONE...TRILLION dollars.

These are fun trucks, now to just turn up the wick a bit.