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towing with a lightning

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Old May 15, 2006 | 08:06 PM
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towing with a lightning

I have a 1999 Lightning that has been modified with air kit, headers back through the exhaust and I never have towed with it. It has the stock tow package and around 40,000 miles...Is it a bad idea to tow anything without it effecting/wearing down my performance?
 
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Old May 17, 2006 | 04:23 PM
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You should be fine as long as you are not planning on towing massive weights. Just remember it is not going to be sporty while towing and let it do its job. What are you thinking of towing?
 
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Old May 18, 2006 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by cangim
You should be fine as long as you are not planning on towing massive weights. Just remember it is not going to be sporty while towing and let it do its job. What are you thinking of towing?
I would advise extreme caution because if you get into boost a lot towing you will strain things a lot and run the risk of detination while towing that can destroy a engine very quickly. Make every effort to stay of of sustained boost while towing and use high octant fuel. Those truck where design for quick burst of power. not sustain efforts as high levels of boost.
 
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Old May 18, 2006 | 12:55 PM
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I was considering buying a 14 or 15 ft boat,,,,,but just wasnt sure if the lightning would get wrecked by towing something....
 
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Old May 18, 2006 | 03:52 PM
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I wouldn't risk the truck, get a Yugo and try it.
 
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Old May 19, 2006 | 08:15 PM
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One thing you could look at to verify is what the ford manaul says about towing with it, and what capacities you are rated for. I personally dont see any reason why you could pull a boat of that size, but it is not my truck either. If I had a lightning, I wouldn't even hesistate to pull with it. Like I said before, just let the truck work for you, don't push it hard becuase it can go, take it easy.
 
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Old May 29, 2006 | 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by cangim
One thing you could look at to verify is what the ford manaul says about towing with it, and what capacities you are rated for. I personally dont see any reason why you could pull a boat of that size, but it is not my truck either. If I had a lightning, I wouldn't even hesistate to pull with it. Like I said before, just let the truck work for you, don't push it hard becuase it can go, take it easy.
Exactly right.

Buffchick, one of the biggest concerns you need to check on first is if it still has the stock upper s/c and stock lower crank pulley. If your L has been modified to produce more boost (either from a larger lower pulley or smaller s/c pulley), then you need to determine how much boost. The most common upgrade is changing the lower crank pulley to a 4 or 6lb pulley, along with a custom tune, either through chip or handlheld tuner.

If you do have a pulley and custom tune, you need to know how far the tune is pushing the envelope.

I too have a '99 Lightning and it's my daily driver/work truck/weekend drag warrior. I have a very safe dyno tune (Predator handheld) with a 4lb lower pulley, and I don't ever hesitate to tow my utility trailer loaded with up to 3,000lbs of stuff.

Stewart
 
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