try towing a a whaler out of a wet boat ramp and see what happens! You wont get far. I tow with a Tahoe and without four wheel drive I wouldnt be able to get out of most of the pot hole ridden boat ramps.

 

So then by your own accord it's not the wide tires of the Lightning, it's not having 4wd. It's a universal thing, if you are having problems towing a whaler out of a ramp with a tahoe in 2wd, not limited to the Lightning. Before we weren't even talking about boat ramps though. You had just mentioned the towing/wide tire combo, and driving normal conditions with any kind of trailer is not a problem with the Lightning. Boat ramps can be trouble for any kind of vehicle without 4wd, so the Lightning isn't the only one that will have problems. The wide tires don't affect that. The torque and power, probably yes. Perhaps in snow they will, just packing on top of the snow, rather than cutting through as with thinner tires, but any 2wd truck is going to have some slipage on snow or on a boat ramp.
The point is, this truck is a sport truck, it's not a work truck, though if needed it can haul a heavy load, as can any other "work truck" F-150 or Chevy 1500 or Dodge Ram, but the Lightning is the only one that can also rip it up next to a Porche or Beamer.

Ryan
1986 F-250 HD 4x4
4.10 gears, C6 trany
351W, Edelbrock 351 Performer intake
Edelbrock Performer 600cfm 4bbl carb
Edelbrock Pro-Flo air cleaner
Extreme 4x4 camshaft
Flowmaster 30 series dual exhaust
Custom headers
3" Warn body lift

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Nov-01 AT 07:18 PM (EST)]Well being the owner of a 99 Corvette I would like to add my 2 cents worth. My 99 Corvette stock ran a 12.92 at 108 MPH at our local track. I'm very impressed by the lightning but it is a truck with a big kick ##### motor. Both of these are great vehicle but for different reasons. Prior to owning this Vette I have always been a truck guy both GM and Ford. Lets just say that the Lightning is a great vehicle regardless of what is sitting in the next lane!

I should also add that my first pass of this day ran a 14.2 second quarter mile as I launched at 3000 RPM and didn't hook up until I was in third gear. My best launch was at 2400 RPM where I managed to get just a bit of wheel spin. Don't think that getting a high horsepower car to launch consistantly is easy.

 

Ok I give in, but not to the Lightning. I am waiting for a 2002 Harley Edition. I need the extra room. I sure I am going to miss the 40 plus horses the Harley gives up to the Lightning. The Tahoe is Old hat. I am going to the Dark Side! I have never bought a new Ford. I consider myself a Chevy Guy. But I cant resist the new Fords, They win in looks department hands down!

 

the original subject of this conference is meant to be about racing not towing. no ****** a lightning is going to tow stuff better than a vette. the only reason the lightning is fast is because it has a supercharger. i bet half of the crap you guys are saying is made up.
come on a 92 f-150 thats whoops c-5s. i'll believe it when i see it.

im not a ford hater. i own a ranger. but u could say i wish they built a turbo or supercharged ranger.

 

Uh sparky, the Lightning's they are referring to are the New Lightnings. We are speaking of the 2001 - 2002 models. After all we are in the 2001 - 2002 model years right?

The 92's were fast, yes. But My neighbor took his 2001 to the track the other night. No changes from factory stock, and ran 13.92, pretty good considering he hasn't made any modifications to the Truck yet.

Just wanted to clue you in on the time frame we're speaking of here.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Dec-01 AT 02:54 PM (EST)]I think everyone agrees that the L is big HP and can keep up or beat a Corvette in a straight line. The link posted above doesn't hold much merit because that L was highly modified.

I agree that the L is an incredible truck... but the fact remains that it is still a truck. There is NO WAY this thing would beat a modern Corvette in a race that has corners. This in no way puts down the L... but come on, it is not going to out-handle a Corvette.

I would also be interested in the L stopping times. Say a 0-100-0 test. Along with handling, being able to stop also wins races.

 

The one thing I don't get is that why would you spend $50,000+ on a chev when you could buy a Lightning for $40,000 spend the $10,000 difference on the motor, modify the body (more aero) then go out and race the vette? thats what I would. or you could buy a truck/car you like then modify using the price difference? My f-150 is going to a very mild cleveland making arounde 300-350 horse (with 2v heads--its possible to get 500hp naturaly aspirated and without nitrous)drop it and with a body kit thats costs below $5,000. Come on you guys don't you see why its useless to spend 50,000 on a vette when you can spend 40,000 and spend the difference on mods and a go faster look better truck.


82' Flareside

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Jan-02 AT 02:17 PM (EST)]Mostly because these are two different vehicles. One is a fast truck. One is a sports car.

As I have been caught saying to the anti-Harley crowd numerous times... "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand."

Something you forgot in your post about going faster. You should clarify you could go faster in a straight line. You are not going to out handle a Corvette. This is not a put-down on the L... it is just a fact of life. The Corvette is a sports car; The L is a truck.

 

I agree... but disagree too.

I have a 2001 "L" and this past fall attended one of the SVT track events consisting of a road course, autocross and slalom.

I think SVT brought 8 professional drivers and during the track meeting they shared their excitement about the number of Lightning’s at the event and that many people were going to be surprised at the days results.

Well... many were surprised, like me for one. On the road course I had a 93 Cobra punched out to 347, aluminum heads with a Kenny Bell charger on it in front of me along with a few other cars. Started fourth and passed the cobra along with the other two vehicles and ended up first. Driver ability... maybe.

The autocross... results were amazing there too. The trucks were posting the fastest times!!

The same was true for the slalom...

So... I don't really agree with the straight-line comment. I've read stories (yes... they are stories) where people with prepared "L"s have raced on closed circuit road courses and beet the Vipers and the Vett's. It's not common but it is there. In an all out race over several laps… stock Lightning vrs stock Vett… the Vett would prevail.
:-staun

 

Don't forget, Corvettes can be modified as well. I guess I would always assume stock-vs-stock. If a modified L is going to be allowed to claim a victory... well, lets see how it fairs with a modified 'vette.

Mabye Chevy should have Lingenfelter be their SVT.

 

I've got nothing more than a chip and cold air induction which is what I'd expect outta any vett owner...

Besides... what does that have to do with the Cobra??? Point is cobras run with Vett's and L's with cobra's... I just think if I put the 15k delta into my truck which is what the vett guy paid over mine... I'd be running with exotics...

As it is... I have a two seat sports car with the biggest in class trunk!!!

 

Corvettes are nothing more than an over priced, anyone can run piece of… Anyway… I had a 1978 Ford Fairmont (Sleeper Syndrome) that I ran at the track and as a daily driver. I smoked vettes like they shoved it in reverse all the time. Never had one come anywhere near close to beating me!

I have tried all brands of cars and trucks. By far Ford has been the one I have always come back to. But always keep in mind, it doesn’t matter what you have. If you like it you will be under the hood.

 

First, I have to say that I am a complete ford lover myself and would NEVER buy a corvette for the fact that they are made my che*y! And that the lightning is an extremely nice truck and I hope to have one someday. But I would also like to say that my dad has a '79 Trans am 10th anniversy with a 403 big block. It is a muscle car and has a pretty good time. And it also has a hitch on the back and he used it to tow his boat all over the place when he first got it. So I know that it could and its not made for it. So I wouldn't put it too far past it. Just my 2 cents

 

Cobras run with Vettes? I understand brand loyalty, and the whole "Go Ford" thing... but be freaking realistic. No mustang, save the Cobra R can run with a Z06.
Lightnings are fast... for a truck. Vettes are just plain fast. If you beat a Vette in your truck, you got lucky and went against either