F-Body Europe

I wouldn't mind running down the Autobahn chasing M3s with this. http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.asp ... 21&src=msn I can almost see the expression of their face when they get passed by a truck.

SSZ28,
I see you found my TRUCK I've already put my order in for one......when my son turns 16 he gets the wife's current truck & the SRT10 will be ordered and it will be time for MONSTER to be turned loose 500hp 525tq BAD A$$.....it currently holds the "Fastest Stock Production Pick Up Truck" record at 154mph on a closed (4mi oval) track (of course). They ran it in both directions in order to take the record. The Lighting "was"(being key word) the previous holder at 147mph. The SRT10 has a 160mph speedo (like our F-bodies) and had no problems maxing it out (kind of like our F-bodies ) As you can see I REALLY REALLY REALLY want one....but will not give up the Firechicken in order to get it. They just need to have it in BLUE!!

That thing is gonna go for what, $50-60K?

Nope already on the market for $42K, that's the lowest I've seen it so far.

Oh, that's not bad at all. I could get a 'vette for that, though.

Yep the Vette is in that price range but you can't use it to haul anything with and it isn't as intimidating when it comes up behind you in the left lane!! Just imagine the 911 owner going down the autobahn @ 120mph and the SRT10 comes rolling up flashing lights and he can't pull away from it!!!!! That is what I'm talking about!!!!!!!!! I'm a truck guy anyways, but have a love for my T/A

I guess I'm just not into trucks, but I can see how that would surprise and/or piss some people off.

I've always liked my hot rods and have always had hot rods, but when I bought my first truck in 90(90 GMC Z71 4X4) I don't know how I was able to live without one. My wife refuses to drive a car, she loves her truck. We will be ordering a 1 Ton Dodge Cummins Diesel HO 4X4 Quad cab for her before we leave Germany. To me the SRT10 is the best of both worlds, truck & hot rod crossbreed, yes you are right it would surprise and piss off alot of people in Germany. Having a pick up truck take you to town out on the autobahn....525 foot pounds of torque on tap is hard to argue with. Dodge really did thier homework on it, it's not the standard 1500 p/u truck, suspenion, brakes, frame, rearend, front areo package, and alot more have been taken from the Nascar Truck testing and incoorperated into the SRT10. I traded my 97 Dodge SST P/U (only 10,000 made over a 3 year period 96,97,& 98 ) in on my Trans AM WS6, mistake????? No way, I have a 73 & 01 Trans AM now!!:twisted:

How would it hold up against the new '05 Lightning? I think they'd be pretty even! That thing is a monster w/ like 500 HP!

I hope that Ford boosted it to 500hp, then Dodge will have to up the bar. The Ford is just a little to "boxy" looking for me, don't get me wrong it's a great looking truck but I LOVE the SRT10. Ford will have to do something drastic if Dodge ups the hp on the Viper motor, that small block v8 will only take so much compared to the V10. Hope that they do a comparison here soon on them both!!

Story by Ford Motor Corporation

Ford's bold vision for a third-generation SVT F-150 Lightning sport truck emerged today from a powerful new-product cloudburst at the 2003 North American International Auto Show.

The SVT Lightning concept was a surprise during Ford's unveiling of the all-new 2004 F-150. Launching a Whole New Era of Built Ford Tough, the new F-150 is an all-new full-size pickup architecture designed for more power, refinement and unprecedented driving dynamics capability. It is the star of Ford Motor Company's biggest-ever wave of new-product introductions at the dawn of its Centennial year.

The SVT F-150 Lightning concept features a six-speed manual transmission, independent rear suspension and a 500-horsepower supercharged V-8. It is a powerful combination aimed at extending SVT Lightning's supremacy into the future.

Since it was introduced in 1993, the Ford SVT F-150 Lightning has been the undisputed sport truck king, making a name for itself as the 'World's Fastest Production Pickup.' Ten years later, competitors are finally bringing Lightning imitators to market. John Coletti, director, SVT Programs, welcomes the challenge.

Power to New Levels

Coletti's team fit the SVT Lightning concept with an all-aluminum, 5.4-liter DOHC supercharged and intercooled V-8 engine conservatively rated at 500 horsepower and 500 foot pounds of torque (SAE net). And while they were at it, they invented and patented a speed secret for those times when even that much power just isn't enough.

Ford's patented SuperCooler technology cleverly provides a special burst of power for the SVT Lightning concept. Traditional intercoolers dissipate heat from the supercharged air by circulating coolant through a front-mounted, air-cooled radiator. With the SuperCooler system, the vehicle's air conditioning system is used to chill a small storage tank of coolant to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

On demand, the SuperCooler system switches the intercooler flow from its normal circulation and dumps the chilled coolant into the engine's intercooler. In turn, the intercooler dissipates up to 20 percent more heat from the charge air - resulting in a denser air charge.

A green light on the instrument panel indicates the system's readiness. SuperCooler is activated automatically when the driver depresses the accelerator to a wide-open-throttle position.

This technology plays directly into the hands of the enthusiast, Coletti says. The SuperCooler provides the edge for the driver, and it is done simply by taking advantage of the hardware that already exists in the vehicle.

As a result of this cool technology, the SVT Lighting concept can give its driver as much as 50 transient horsepower for short bursts of 30-45 seconds and regenerate within 2 minutes under normal driving conditions. While its effect is similar to that of an aftermarket nitrous oxide system, the SuperCooler is completely self-contained, environmentally friendly and regenerative.

The SVT Lightning concept engine features a Lysholm, screw-type supercharger, paired with both an intercooler and the new SuperCooler system. The 32-valve, double-overhead-cam powerplant boasts Manley connecting rods, two fuel injectors per cylinder and high-performance heads similar to those on the limited-edition 2000 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R.

Exhaust gases escape through free-flowing headers and dual side pipes, producing a classic American V-8 rumble. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The same Tremec T-56 transmission is used in the 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra. In keeping with the performance nature of the SVT Lightning, the short-throw, console-mounted shifter is more like that of a sports car than a traditional pickup's long-shaft, floor mounted shift lever.

Driving Dynamics

The SVT F-150 Lightning concept features an independent rear suspension and SVT's famous attention to every detail of the suspension, steering and braking systems for driving dynamic capabilities that match the sport truck's awesome power.

The concept truck's handling potential is immediately apparent, evidenced by massive 22-inch cast aluminum wheels that convey power even standing still. The wheels are wrapped in hand-cut Goodyear P295/40R22 tires in front and P325/45R22 tires at the rear.

Visible through the six-spoke wheels are equally impressive Brembo brakes - six-piston calipers in front, four-piston at the rear - mated to platter-size, 380-millimeter, cross-drilled ventilated discs.

SVT engineers chose to fit an independent rear suspension (IRS) system to the Lightning concept in lieu of F-150's standard Hotchkiss type solid rear axle with leaf springs and outboard shock absorbers. The IRS unit was adapted from the Ford Expedition.

'The new architecture of the F-150 made it easier for us to adapt the independent rear suspension system,' says Jeff Feit, SVT Lightning chassis and powertrain engineer. 'This allowed us to reduce unsprung weight even further and fine-tune the handling in true SVT style.'

The front suspension is derived from the new F-150, with the upper control arms modified to accommodate the oversized wheel and tires. The new rack-and-pinion steering system of the F-150 contributes to the SVT Lightning concept truck's steering precision.

Design

The new SVT Lightning concept isn't just built for speed off the line. It was designed to be quick out of the box, thanks to a new F-150 modular design architecture that's geared to flexibility. That made it possible to show off the new SVT Lightning concept as a possible derivative of the new F-150 immediately at the truck's public unveiling.

'Modular design lends itself to special editions like this,' says Craig Metros, F-150 chief designer. 'Changing details such the front grille, the side body panels and interior trim transforms the truck. The result is a specialized, high-performance model, far from being just a wheel-and-tire package.'

The SVT Lightning concept is based on the new Regular Cab F-150 Flareside model, finished in Liquid Silver Metallic and dripping with performance character. In keeping with SVT Lightning tradition, the concept only has two doors. The rear access doors on the new Regular Cab F-150 are replaced on the concept with longer front doors and fixed B-pillars. Other SVT design cues include electro-luminescent gauges, side exhausts, clear taillights and round foglights.

Conclusion

The Ford SVT Lightning concept marks the coming of a future third generation of the 'World's Fastest Production Pickup.' It arrives as the Ford Special Vehicle Team celebrates its 10th anniversary and Ford Motor Company is kicking off its Centennial year. Since its introduction as a 1993 model, the Ford SVT F-150 Lightning has dominated the sport truck market. By the end of 2003, about 36,000 SVT Lightning pickups will be on the road.

The SVT Lightning has been constantly improved since its introduction, as output has jumped from the original's 240 to today's 380 horsepower. Acceleration has improved accordingly, with official 0-60 mph times dropping from an impressive 7.6 seconds to a scorching 5.8 seconds.

The Ford SVT Lightning concept making its world debut at the 2003 North American International Auto Show hints that the next-generation SVT Lightning will raise the bar even farther, and continue to dominate in the sport truck arena.

It should be interesting, thats for sure. SVT is changing its game for 06, and going upscale. Good news for the magazines, but bad for the less than "well heeled" consumber.

Stock on Stock it will be a dog fight. V10 viper motor is a proven monstrosity, and the 5.4 in the lightning is basically the same motor as the Ford GT. Since the 03 Cobra Ford has been really big on underating its flagships, so it will be a tough call. When the modding starts, its the Lightning's race to lose, those motors (4.6/5.4) are sucking up 18-22psi like it was nothing. Thats the great thing about a factory installed blower. The builder is so afraid of warrenty claims, they over engineer the motor and build them stronger than the proverbial brick $hit house.

How are the rears on those cars Rob? I keep finding more and more reasons to go over to the dark side.

same fare

The cobra is the same ol mustang rear except IRS. The problem is they snap halfshafts like toothpicks. The hot ticket for the straight line racers is swap in the live axle 8.8 from a newer mustang. Its a straight forward bolt in, and most of they guys that do it make money on it selling the IRS. Put it this way, you or I wouldnt be breaking an 8.8 often if ever. The tranny is the same 6 speed you have, and we have read it enough to believe that for the most part it is bulletproof.

The lightning is a completely differant beast. I cant remember the dimensions of the diff, but its large X huge. The tranny is getting the work out on them. It needs beefed up to handle the big torque and the massive weight of the truck.

If you entertain the thought of a mustang wait for the 05 to hit. The GT will have the same power as the MACH 1 (or '01 Cobra) through what amounts to a V8 VTEC. The Cobra is gonna be muay $$$ in 06 but should have enough oats to go vette hunting for real. In case you missed the news, the 5.0 is back.

When you say "newer mustang", that is what I'm referring to. I would want a newer one, not an old one. I read where one guy said he had like 1200HP and never had any issues with his 8.8. That's awesome!

1200HP on a 8.8?? I'm gonna throw a b*llsh*t flag out on that one

Well I've heard that if built properly, can be as strong or stronger than a 9".

I meant as in 2000 model year and up, just so it has pieces with not as many miles on them. The 05 mustangs will have the same rear end as everyone before.


Just go to a heads up event, or watch a renegade or outlaw 5.0 run in the 8's with a 8.8. There is plenty of meat on the pinion to take the hit. The axles and supporting cast have to be upgraded, but thats gonna happen on a 12bolt or 9inch also.

For thr the 8.8 to be thet strong it doenst take a whole lot. Change the ring and pinion and the locker. And put some C-clip eliminators on it. You also got to get the axle tubes welded.