Ford F-150 SVT Lightning

2nd Gen SVT Lightning Specs & History (1999 - 2004)

The 2nd Gen SVT Lightning was launched for the 1999 model year. The redesigned lightning featured fresh new styling features and unmatched performance, promising potential buyers the opportunity to own the World's fastest production pickup for under $30,000. Available only as a regular cab, step side model, the Lightning was much more than a standard F-150 with visual accents. An Eaton supercharged 5.4L V-8 provided 360 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque in 1999, and was later upgraded to 380 hp and 450 lb-ft. A 4R100 4 speed automatic transmission was borrowed from the Ford Super Duty platform to transmit power to a limited slip 9.75" rear axle, and traction was maximized by Goodyear rubber at all four corners. The engine was designed by Roush and Ford's Special Vehicle Team, upgraded with such parts as forged rods, lower compression pistons, and a forged crankshaft. While only 3 colors were offered in 1999, by 2004 buyers had 7 color choices. A special sport suspension with Bilstein shocks helped keep the truck planted through corners and high speed maneuvers.

SVT Lightning Specs

Make/Model:

2nd Generation Ford SVT F-150 Lightning

Body:

2wd, regular cab, step side bed

Years Produced:

1999 - 2004

Production Location:

Trucks built at Ford's Ontario Truck Plant in Oakville, Ontario Canada

Engine:

Ford 5.4L V-8 w/ forged internals

Aspiration:

Eaton Gen IV supercharger, water-to-air intercooler

Horsepower:

• 360 hp @ 4,750 rpm (1999 & 2000 model years)
• 380 hp @ 4,750 rpm (2001 - 2004 model years)

Torque:

• 440 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm (1999 & 2000 model years)
• 450 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm (2001 - 2004 model years)

Performance:

• 0 - 60 in 6.2 seconds, ~140 mph top speed for 1999 & 2000 model years
• 0 - 60 in 5.2 seconds, ~140 mph top speed for 2001 - 2004 model years

Transmission:

Ford 4R100 4 speed automatic

1st

2nd

3rd

4th (OD)

R

2.71 : 1

1.53 : 1

1.00 : 1

0.71 : 1

2.18 : 1

Axle/Driveshaft:

Ford 9.75" rear axle with traction-lock limited slip differential.
• 3.55 : 1 axle ratio for 1999 & 2000 model years, 3.5" aluminum driveshaft
• 3.73 : 1 axle ratio for 2001 - 2004 model years, 4.5" aluminum driveshaft

Front Suspension:

Upper & lower A-arms, SVT coil springs, Bilstein shocks and a 31mm stabilizer bar. Truck lowered 1.5" in front.

Rear Suspension:

Staggered Bilstein gas charged shocks, 5 leaf spring setup, and 23mm solid stabilizer bar. Truck lowered 2.0" in rear.

Wheels/Tires:

18" x 9.5" 5 spoke cast aluminum alloy wheels, Goodyear Eagle F1-GS unidirectional low profile tires, 295/45ZR18

Brakes:

• Front 12.1" vented rotors with twin piston calipers
• Rear 13.1" vented rotors with single piston calipers

Interior:

60/40 split cloth seats with leather inserts (fold up center console), SVT logo embroidered on backrest of seats, white face gauge cluster

Optional Equipment:

Tonneau cover, 6 disc CD changer, and class III tow hitch package were the only 3 available options for the SVT lightning

Payload:

• 800 lbs for 1999 - 2002 model years
• 1350 lbs for 2003 & 2004 model years

Max Towing:

5,000 lbs

 

• Staggering the rear shock absorbers considerably reduced axle wrap under heavy acceleration and was necessary to compliment the engine's impressive performance characteristics.

• The 4R100 automatic transmission found in the SVT Lightning was originally designed for use in Ford's Super Duty truck platform (F-250/F-350) and was strong enough to handle the torque characteristics of the 7.3L Power Stroke through 2003.

• Both the SVT Lightning and the 5.4L V-8 engine were built at Ford plants in Ontario, Canada.

• The SVT Lightning held the title of "World's fasted production truck" during its 5 year lifespan. It was not until 2003 that Guinness certified the title after a production Lightning was clocked at 147 mph.

• 1999 and 2000 model year Lightnings could complete a 1/4 mile drag race in 14.6 seconds with a trap speed of 97 mph.

• A 3rd generation SVT Lightning using the 2005 model year F-150 platform was unveiled in 2004, but the concept never became a reality.

 

Supercharged 5.4L SVT V-8 Specs

Engine Configuration:

90 degree V-8

Production Facility:

Ford Modular Engine Plant (low volume production line) in Windsor, Ontario Canada

Displacement:

5.4 liters, 330 cubic inches

Bore x Stroke:

3.40" x 4.10" (90mm x 105.6mm)

Compression Ratio:

8.4 : 1 (lowered for forced induction)

Induction/Aspiration:

Eaton Gen IV roots type supercharger, 8 psi forced induction. Dual-bore 57mm throttle body (single throttle body with dual 57mm ports). Water-to-air intercooler.

Cylinder Heads:

Aluminum, 2 valves per cylinder. 44.5mm diameter intake valve, 36mm exhaust valve.

Pistons:

Forged steel

Rods:

Sinter forged allow connecting rods

Crankshaft:

Forged steel

Exhaust:

Tuned cast iron exhaust manifolds (listed as "header style" manifolds)

Redline:

5,250 rpm, with fuel shutting off at 5,400 rpm

Horsepower:

• 360 hp @ 4,750 rpm (1999 & 2000 model years)
• 380 hp @ 4,750 rpm (2001 - 2004 model years)

Torque:

• 440 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm (1999 & 2000 model years)
• 450 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm (2001 - 2004 model years)

 

SVT Lightning Model Year Changes

2000 Model Year

Silver metallic added to paint options.

2001 Model Year

• Engine air inlet size increased, lower intake manifold redesigned, performance increased to 380 hp and 450 lb-ft (from 360 hp and 440 lb-ft).
• 3.73 axle ratio replaces 3.55 ratio.
• Driveshaft size increased from 3.5" to 4.5".

2002 Model Year

• True Blue added to paint options.
• Locking lug nuts become standard equipment on all F150 Lightnings.
• Keyless entry becomes standard equipment on all F150 Lightnings.

2003 Model Year

• Revised cylinder heads to eliminate problems with insufficient spark plug threads (the problem was universal on all Ford Modular engines, not specific to the lightning).
• Sonic Blue replaces True Blue as a paint option. Ford Dark Shadow Grey is introduced as a paint option.
• Redesigned 5 spoke cast aluminum wheels.
• Steering system is retuned.
• Payload increased from 800 lbs to 1350 lbs.

 

SVT Lightning Productions Numbers

 

1999 MY

2000 MY

2001 MY

2002 MY

2003 MY

2004 MY

Total Produced:

4,000

4,966

6,381

4,726

4,270

3,781

Black

1,601

1,596

1,908

1,198

1,036

843

Bright Red

1,533

1,405

1,722

1,086

735

648

Oxford White

866

928

1,170

294

606

428

Silver Metallic

N/A

1,037

1,581

1,018

N/A

618

True Blue

N/A

N/A

N/A

1,130

N/A

N/A

Dark Shadow Grey

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

1,170

648

Sonic Blue

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

723

596