Variances In between 1993-1995 Ford F-150 and To start with-Gen Lightning

It really is no magic formula that the bulk of our articles focuses on pickup vehicles. We really don’t chat about large rigs also much (conserve for an occasional report about Shell Rotella’s SuperRigs celebration, or other musings about diesel-run Course-8 vans), vans as a total are provided cursory point out, and SUVs only garner a modest total of our attention.

What is actually the bottom line? The the greater part of vehicles we report about are pickups via and via, ordinarily new, in all cab and bed configurations, and driven by engines that run on fuel, or diesel, and now, even electrical power.

1 of the awesome factors about pickup trucks from a hobby point of view is the truth that they’re good platforms for modifying. Altering wheel-and-tire offers, lifting or lowering suspensions, and switching color strategies by means of painting or vinyl wrapping are just a handful of mods that have been quite preferred for a very long, extended time.

From time to time, doing interesting truck updates (or “builds” as they are now known as) are dealt with by makers by themselves and bought as distinctive, confined editions of a brand’s popular rig. Ford’s 1993 SVT Lightning is one these types of automobile, a normal-cab, shortbed, warm rod model of Blue Oval’s most effective-promoting F-150 pickup that was conceptualized in 1991, introduced to the environment in 1992, and today is regarded by quite a few enthusiasts as the truck that kick-begun the late-model-effectiveness-pickup movement.

In an all round operate that provided a 3-calendar year creation hiatus (1996 to 1999), Ford’s F-150 Lightning was very productive, thanks in no modest component to its powertrain, just one of the key highlights in each and every of its two generations. Ford created 11,563 Lightnings throughout its initial-gen interval. These days, they’re hugely coveted pickups, particularly by followers of previous-physique design (1993 to 1997) Ford rigs.

For Era One (1993 to 1995) trucks—assembled at Ford’s Wayne, Michigan, truck plant—instead of utilizing the hopped-up 5.0L engine powering SVT’s 1993 Mustang Cobra, that engine’s GT40 iron cylinder heads were on to a even larger 5.8L (351-cubic-inch) Windsor powerplant and dropped it amongst the fenders of the 50 percent-ton rig.

The cylinder heads, combined with an all-new, SVT-only, tubular aluminum intake manifold, 65mm throttle system, a roller camshaft, hypereutectic pistons, and a correct dual exhaust procedure, collectively gave the F-150 Lightning 240 in a natural way aspirated horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque (when compared to 205 hp/325 lb-ft for non-Lightning), and get up and go to the tune of to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, and 15.6 seconds in a quarter-mile dash.

In addition to the motor, the initial-gen Lightning received an E40D automated transmission from large-duty, large-block-driven rigs, with valvebody improvements and ECM updates that designed shifts more intense, 4.10 rearend gears in an 8.8-inch axle, and a 3.5-inch aluminum driveshaft.

Thanks to the enhance in horsepower and torque, and because SVT’s ambition was to deliver a truck that handles as effectively as it operates, the Gen-A person Lightning is lessen (1 inch/entrance, 2.5 inches/rear) than a conventional F-150, and irrespective of obtaining twin I-beams up entrance like its non-general performance sibling, 1993 to 1995 Lightning’s suspension functions distinctive entrance coil- and rear leaf springs, Monroe Formula GP shocks, and 25.4mm front and rear sway bars.

Firestone Firehawk P275/60HT-70 radial tires on unique (gigantic for that time period of time) 17 x 8-inch, solid-aluminum, 5-spoke wheels and 11.72-inch entrance disc brakes and 11.03 x 2.25-inch Abs rear drum brakes complete the deal that provides Lightning the ability to accelerate, corner, and cease like a 4,480-pound sports motor vehicle.

Of system, there also are significant aesthetic, visible variations concerning a standard 1993 to 1995 Ford F-150 its muscle-truck alter ego. The specific version has an air dam below the entrance bumper with foglamps that are integrated into it, monochromatic black, pink, or white (additional in 1994) paint, and “Lightning” graphics. A monochromatic tubular rear bumper was also out there as an alternative.

Within, 1993 to 1995 Lightning has grey fabric bucket seats with adjustable side bolsters and lumbar assist (and “Lightning” embroidered in the headrests), a center armrest/console, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel that all enable established it aside from the typical F-150.

With efficiency at the forefront of to start with-generation Lightning’s features, the trucks are basically Alright with regard to undertaking truck items. In comparison to the conventional rigs, the 1993 to 1995 Lightning only tows a optimum of 5,000 lbs, which is around 2,200 to 2,500 lbs much less than its siblings of the exact same period.

In 1999, Ford launched a completely revamped F-150 Lightning. Continue to be tuned for a future report with information on that rig and how it differs from the to start with technology.