History of the 2nd-Gen Ford F-150 SVT Lightning

The hopped-up, special-edition F-150, created by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team—a skunkworks within Blue Oval comprised of engineers whose lives revolved around high performance–debuted in 1993, and over the course of three years, it proved that truck enthusiasts actually want rigs that give them the best-of-both-worlds: Formidable street performance and handling, as well as hauling and utilitarian capability of a half-ton pickup truck. Well, as much capability as possible.

2nd Gen Lightning Drivetrain

And once the new body style was established, a second-generation Ford F-150 SVT Lightning—built in Ford’s Ontario Truck Facility in Oakville, Ontario, Canada–made its debut in 1999. Not only did the regular-cab Lightning have a new look (step-side bed), it was powered by an Eaton Gen IV-supercharged, liquid-to-air intercooled, 5.4L V-8 engine (with a forged-steel crankshaft, forged-steel pistons, 57mm throttle body, and three-inch exhaust) making 360 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. The comeback included using Ford’s heavy-duty 4R100 four-speed automatic transmission, a 3.5-inch aluminum driveshaft, and 3.55:1 rearend gears, which all completed a drivetrain with performance that was light years beyond that of its predecessor.

2nd Gen Lightning Engine Specs

2nd Gen Lightning Design

In addition to the rounded/aero exterior profile and ground effects, clear headlights and fog lights, Euro-style taillights, tubular lower grille, and Bright Red, Black or Oxford White paint choices, second-genertion SVT Lightnings debuted with a new suspension setup that replaced twin I beams and featured upper and lower control arms with coil springs in the front, and a leaf-spring package in the rear, updated staggered Monroe Formula GP shocks, and 31mm (front) and 23mm (rear) anti-roll bars.

Also, similar to first-gen trucks, the 1999 to 2004 Ford F-150 SVT Lightnings were lowered one inch at the front. However, the rear of the new rig was raised a half inch (to two inches). Bigger front (with dual-piston front calipers) and rear vented disc brakes measure 12.1 inches and 13.1 inches respectively, and the wheel/tire package changed, from 17×8 inches to 18×9.5 inches, with Goodyear Eagle F1 295/45ZR18 tires.

Interior upgrades over the OG Lightning include 60/40 micro-suede seats with leather inserts and SVT logos embroidered in the headrests, flip-up center console, a white-faced SVT instrument cluster and a six-disc CD changer.

2nd Gen Lightning Changes by Year

Unlike 1993 to 1995 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning pickups, the second-gen rigs underwent several updates during its six-year run. This timeline covers the significant changes that were made.

1999: Ford’s F-150 SVT Lightning is introduced.

2000: Silver Metallic is added as a paint option.

2001: Horsepower and torque increased to 380hp and 450 lb-ft. Mass airflow size increased to 90mm. Lower intake manifold redesigned. Intercooler upgraded to resolve leaking problem. Tires upgraded to 295/45ZR18 Goodyear Eagle F1-GS unidirectional. Rear end gears upgraded to 3.73:1 ratio. Driveshaft replaced and diameter increased from 3.5-inch, to 4.5-inch aluminum.

2002: True Blue is added as a paint option. Keyless entry and locking lug nuts become standard equipment.

2003: Updated Triton 5.4L cylinder heads (revised with eight-thread spark-plug holes) to resolve spark-plug blowout problem. Sonic Blue Replaces True Blue as a paint option. Dark Shadow Grey is introduced as a paint option. Redesigned five-spoke 18×9.5-inch aluminum wheels are introduced. Increased payload (1,350 pounds).

2004: The Ford F-150 SVT Ford Lightning is discontinued, after a total of 28,124 trucks were produced.

2nd Gen Lightning Production Numbers

Ford SVT built a total of 28,124 Lightnings from 1999 to 2004. Production breaks down as follows: