2001 Ford SVT F-150 Lightning | Retro Review

[@daveclark3829]

This truck was YEARS ahead of its time, brilliant engineering....

[@StockGT350]

Dave Clark i would have to say the syclone was

[@andrewbelmudez6985]

@@StockGT350 SRT 10 and Syclone had the full potential to annihalate the Lightning

[@johntate4638]

Chevy push rod LS motors were putting out the same horsepower naturally aspirated at that time. Ford could have really showed out, but they always fell slightly behind. The terminator Cobras were the start of serious cars.

[@bradgt5130]

John Tate no they wasn’t. The LS1 in the corvette had around 350 hp and the ls6 in the zo6 was around 400. As for trucks the the biggest motor at the time was the 5.3 in the 1500 series that was around 270-300 depending on years. The vortemax didn’t come out till 2006 for around 345 hp. Ford had a hot product that’s why it was there faster production truck at the time.

[@danielboatright6977]

@@bradgt5130 dude you obviously don't know gm trucks. The c3 in 2001 had the lq4 6.0, and the Denalis and Cadillacs had the lq9 6.0 starting in 05

[@FirstOnRaceDayCapri2904]

One of the few Fords that even diehard Ford haters like.

[@hmackprotection1]

Old Fords Don't die So True

[@RobertSmith-le8wp]

I’m a Chevy guy but I’m a huge fan of the square body F150/250’s from the 80’s and 90’s these and terminator mustangs. They took a huge step down going from the 300/302/351 etc to the modular. My old company work truck was a 1996 F250 with a 351. That thing was bulletproof. It had 400,000 miles when I left there. I’m sure it’s still going

[@Thindoublechin]

Id drive this truck anyday

[@Icysoles60]

this is true lol

[@Iconhulk]

Ford haters have no class anyway..

[@bingchu6007]

The SVT Lightning still looks great after all these years, love this truck.

[@MyGuyJustinH]

I love this truck too.

[@maxxas5067]

I remember working at a car lot back in 2015 and one if of these came in as a trade in. It has 57000 miles and the Truck literally looked brand spanking new. the seats weren't creased and there were no stains. They still have the plastic floor mats from the factory.The paint was flawless and it ran really good and was really fast. Same color

[@dsgrts]

DId you buy it?

[@maxxas5067]

Yeonhoo Kim Oh nah, I didn't have the at the time

[@twincammike8329]

Maxxas Crow how did it sell for after...

[@maxxas5067]

Twincam Mike83 idk, probably took it to auction. That's what normally happens to used cars at car dealership

[@fusion106]

Cool story bro

[@gmman010983]

I miss the SVT, Jon Coletti & Jon Moss from back in the day was awesome.

[@Boss-bf7ru]

I had an 03 lightning. Raced a 02 camaro ss while hauling a couch and still gapped him. I've never seen someone's face get more red than that camaro owners face.

[@taylordguitar]

😂😂

[@MICLANTECUTLI]

Lol

[@Pbtbreakingpoint]

I call bs. Unless you raced a 6spd with someone that can't drive. Those camaros/pontiacs ate all mustangs and were neck and neck with cobras of the time. A 13.6-8 sec 1/4 truck gapped a 13.5 sec car while hauling a couch? in your dreams haha.

[@ham7357]

Automatic

[@depends303]

That was a camero

[@BoBoThePyro]

Almost 20 years old and still a great looking truck.

[@shaesham]

380 horsepower holy shiiiiit!!!!! and reaching 101 on the quarter mile is impressive

[@antfbi]

shaesham it’s funny to think about it now my 18 f-150 has 375 hp from a 3.5L

[@JASONHJEFFERSON]

just about any new truck with a tune will do them numbers but i still love the older muscle trucks like the old 454ss and the srt 10

[@mattcox3373]

antfbi and your little ecoboost would still get drug by a lightning

[@angelgjr1999]

Pretty much had the same times as the same mustang GT of the time. If not a little faster. Very impressive.

[@mikek2416]

@@angelgjr1999 I don't think their driving was the best here. I had a 99 GT and people on the forums back in the day whined about the Lightning roasting our stangs! I think the quarter mile for a lightning was mid to low 13s if well driven

[@fijitears]

Stayed up all night watching these retro reviews reminds me of my childhood keep it up

[@brianmullins5957]

Of course technology gets better... BUT: after a few bolt on mods & a custom tune, my 01 Lightning put down 410 rwh & 525 lbs of torque & a 12.9 quarter mile on street tires in 85 degree weather😊

[@robp.1995]

Yep I had a 2001 with a pulley swap, tune, and exhaust. 12.4 in the quarter with nitto street tires.

[@kevinguffey1564]

Brian Mullins who the hell asked you what yours did, speak only when spoken to ASS HOLE

[@jerlaine1638]

@@kevinguffey1564 is the kind of guy who can't figure out why you're not supposed to molest your kids

[@Mynamemightbemichael]

kevin guffey damn Kevin chill

[@jerlaine1638]

@@kevinguffey1564 multiple horse bitch 😂 and i noticed you're not refuting the claim

[@teddysliftworld]

The 0-60 time matches the engine displacement!

[@thefuzzypickle8277]

Teddy's Lift World you mean the supercharger lol

[@Furious321]

I'm hardly an F-150 guy, but I appreciate this truck because it got manufacturers to consider producing performance pickups, or at least the relevant performance parts through a subsidiary (Mopar, TRD, etc.).

[@kgthegreatone943]

This was King of the sport trucks back in the day

[@18Darkside]

Until the Ram srt came out lol

[@5.0_life30]

kg the great one It still is

[@generaldoge9081]

The gmc syclone has always held the throne, a 6 cylinder truck that ran flat fours

[@AlexLopez-vx3cr]

True, at least until the SRT10 Ram came out.

[@kgthegreatone943]

@@generaldoge9081 damn right way ahead of its time I believe it's a Collectable now

[@basithph8958]

One of the best truck ever!

[@horseplop9]

BASITH PH and Sexiest

[@thechief5437]

No doubt! I also agree that they’re very sexy!

[@oliverkalamata2753]

Nah, too round. Trucks look best with boxy angles.

[@jmoney7289]

Oliver Kalamata there's a place for both I'd love the motorweek long term 86 suburban diesel for everyday and the lightning for weekends

[@gavinvalentino1313]

s (That fell off. Because kindergarten-level words are so difficult.)

[@julioibarra7156]

Thing was slick looking. Everyone knew it was special

[@mikej5131]

I got me an 01 lightning and 04 cobra love them both and I'll never sale them.

[@mattjohnston7686]

Race them ant tell me which one is quicker, please.

[@timia0912]

@@mattjohnston7686 the cobra

[@bizzleb3002]

Always loved the Ford Lightning. Saving up to supercharge my 2001 f150 supercrew

[@joshthemediocre7824]

I love driving Lightnings. I've never owned one but have drove a few. They are enough for me.

[@DblOSmith]

I remember this truck was the shit when it came now. Now 380HP sounds so quaint. lol.

[@kingdaniel3519]

It sounds quaint, yet 17 years later and GM still can't get over 365HP out of their 5.3. Meanwhile, Ford and Dodge are a mile ahead.

[@SubieandFriends]

King Daniel i agree with u to a point... the new 5.3 that GM brought out in 2014 kinda sucked in the power department....but i did like the older vortec 5.3 (1999 to 2013)....One thing your forgetting is that gm has never put a supercharger on the 5.3 so comparing the power of a n.a engine vs a boosted engine is not fair....the fair thing to do is compare fords regular non supercharged 5.4 that really competed with the 5.3 from GM....right there u will see that the 5.3 made a bit more power over fords 5.4...and thats with the 5.3 using an old push rod engine design, where the fords 5.4 was a new modern modular engine design.....but now in 2018 i would have to say that ford has the better engine options, i especially love that 5.0 in the f150.....

[@johnherbold6539]

King Daniel dodge makes 375 out of the 5.7L on challenger though

[@hmackprotection1]

John Herbold, but that’s 375 N/A Horsepower. Add a 8psi Supercharger like the one on the Lightning, & that Dodge 5.7 will make 500-510Wheel HP

[@kingdaniel3519]

Ford never used a supercharger on the 3v, which was only used in their truck and van lines, and I wasn't comparing it to the EcoBoost either. While, yes, the 5.3 made slightly more horsepower from factory, it was well below the 5.4 in torque. Also, as I'm sure is the case with the 5.3 as well, Ford intentionally tuned the 5.4 in their trucks to have the majority of its power low down in the rpm range, making it an excellent towing engine even today. With a simple tune, the 5.4 can easily gain 30+ horsepower and 50+ lb-ft. In comparison, Gm's 5.3 was basically at its limits without moderate modification.

[@gtanation9427]

*( Oh man this takes me back )*

[@horseplop9]

GtaNation me too

[@tamimahmed7857]

"Like a leech on the back of your leg"... Jeez who wrote that!

[@calvin-]

Tamim Ahmed -Probably the tool saying it. 😉

[@HAL-dm1eh]

yea I really don't want to know how he came up with that

[@jakeheke8326]

Like a Rat in a trap lol

[@johns.7609]

2003: I’m 24 and just got laid off. Company gave me $2400 severance. Two days later signed that check over to Ford as Downpayment for a used ‘01 lightly modded with 16k miles for $27k out the door. I was broke but happy!!!

[@josephromano6825]

Aggressive looks, massive power, well engineered!

[@robertbutton9142]

I love these trucks and a sticker price of $32,000 really you can’t even get a regular F-150 for that now.

[@jimmiestyer2262]

Robert Button Amen to that. You probably can but its probably a fleetstyle truck.....the bare bones of options.

[@ebrente]

Robert Button you can, but you’re looking at white paint, no stereo or AC and vinyl seats.

[@workingshlub8861]

@@ebrente we just bought three f250 xl...base models ..i mean bare bones but they did have 4wd cause we plow winters...35k out the door each..

[@ebrente]

working shlub sure, and if you chose to drop the 4x4 you would have gotten out a little closer to that 32 mark. I know it can be done I was just commenting on how difficult it is to get regular creature comforts in a truck at that price point.

[@johnjohnmcclane1818]

Yeah, but $32k equals $47k in today's money.

[@pho3nix-]

Lol it has that early 2000s "futuristic" look!

[@mid-s_to_earlysViBEZ]

reb1138 That $#!% was f**king awesome...

[@VanillaGorilla502]

I always liked the 2003 Harley Davidson edition with the supercharger.

[@805NAVE]

Vanilla Gorilla I literally saw one driving yesterday lmao. On highway 68 right by Laguna Seca Mazda race way.

[@John-uz3mb]

DIAMLER see em all the time in my city

[@repnatl]

The only difference between the lightning and Harley engine was a different set of pulleys to produce less power than the lightning but that's a pretty easy fix lol

[@CarGuy-de9jc]

I love both, the Lighting and the Harley. My grandpa had a 2003 Lightning, he fixed it up and had it dynoed at 503 bhp and 532 lb-tq. And my great-grandpa (before he passed) had a 2004 Harley Davidson edition. Both of them was perfect. I grew up in that Lightning too..

[@fwh79FOXR6]

Dalton B: You clearly come from a long line of bad asses!

[@Wombats-1]

In my opinion, the best looking truck ever made. Everything is tastefully done

[@pfwww12]

New favorite Pick up Truck! damnnnn Ford Lightning

[@MaxDephyantz]

Cool, I still have my white '01 Lightning...Thanks for posting this!

[@tonychavez2083]

what a nice combination Fords bulletproof 5.4 two valve motor with a big blower, excellent!

[@stefanwinter1377]

The Shelby F150 before the Shelby F150. *EPIC*

[@OP941nine]

I remember Paul walker driving a red one in f&f that made it even cooler.

[@Ricardo_C]

I've always loved these

[@Wombats-1]

It's always hilarious to see the camera guy at the end of the slalom course never flinches as cars blow past them within inches of murdering them

[@joelon3057]

It would be considered manslaughter because there's no intent lol

[@SpyderRios]

My favorite truck to this date. I remember when it came out it was faster than the same year Mustang GT. What a wonderful truck this was without a doubt a Future Classic. I am sometimes tempted to buy one.

[@roddydykes7053]

More like the Mustang Cobra

[@ICrane88]

I've always loved the outro music it even sounds retro

[@ricardojuarez6534]

Excelent truck 👍

[@andrewjacobson556]

Those were the days early to mid 2000's!!!

[@nfamousonline]

This and Harley Davidson editions of F-150's brings back memories.

[@brendas.1374]

This generation (1997-2003) Ford truck is still better looking than the current F-Series. It’s more sleek and stylish in my opinion.

[@mromatic17]

i have a 94 i think those look the most truckish of all these.

[@eman6ix40]

A friend of mine has the same truck but it’s red, never get tired of the whining

[@SantanKGhey1234]

The current 3.5EB 2nd gen makes similar power and blasts the 2018 F150 supercrew in the same acceleration numbers, the 10 speed helps too..... I have my 2018 Supercrew tuned and I'm 0-60 in under 5s.... amazing where Technology has gone

[@fwh79FOXR6]

Pussaty: Yeah but... you still don't have a Lightning.

[@TheBb6prelude]

fwh79 very true

[@strumpeteer]

That's expected from almost any vehicle that's 20 years newer than the Lightning :)

[@brianmullins5957]

Basic bolt ons, a stock motor & my 01 Lightning still rips off 12.9 quarter miles on street tires. 🥳

[@TheGuyWhoDidUrM0M]

@@brianmullins5957 fbo and tune my damn L was running 12s

[@GregK1247]

These were the good ol days of modern power progressing!! Now 2021 everyone thinks they want electric

[@manher4335]

A friend told me. I put a blower in that Tacoma because of my first experience in the lightening. I understood immediately

[@MrMusic-ob2jj]

Who in hell dislikes this high quality video?

[@roddydykes7053]

Nobody Not 1

[@Jdogger1979]

Still drive mine♡

[@raymondturner6784]

This truck is still impressive today in 2022!

[@navz3834]

I’m 16 and saving up for one of these can’t wait to have it

[@xxyvng6831]

do u have it

[@bestcarreview5021]

Awesome 😃 👍 ford F-150 SVT lighting .

[@davidaubin3902]

5:32 John: BUT IF YOUR BUYING A LIGHTNING TO MAKE SPRING TIME MULCH RUNS, YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR HEAD EXAMINED! LOL

[@Poohdaddymagic]

And because John said it I made a Dr appointment!

[@Zecrid.]

God yes one of the coolest trucks produced.

[@patrickmichael3384]

A late relative of mine had one of these in white, and yes it’s still my personal FAV Ford muscle truck.

[@danonoveh8114]

iam still driving my 04 heritage lightning, I love my truck so much, and it still hauls ass with 160k 💯💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻😉

[@Benjamin06267485]

FINALLY! Something retro about a Ford I like! The best retro review EVER uploaded. Does it exist a 2000 ford expedition review?

[@joshthemediocre7824]

Also i think this was the perfect size F 150, they are so huge nowadays, they feel so much bigger inside.

[@VanillaGorilla502]

I love those retro reviews.

[@MattMorris481]

Funny how the underrated the horse power just like they did in the 60’s.

[@87gsarah]

One of the best looking trucks ever I’ve been looking for one

[@LipePaiga]

Most beautiful truck ever made.

[@michaelprice7005]

I bought one new in 2002 for 30k, I loved the truck with only four exceptions. The crank pulley assembly needed replacement due to a bad bearing within 35,000 mi., the Goodyear Eagle F1's were the ONLY tire available for the stock wheels and are now discontinued, the suede upholstery felt great but wasn't resilient, and it was undrivable with even a dusting of snow (because of the tire limitation). I didn't want aftermarket wheels so when I sold the truck in 2014 the tires were going for almost $400 each, and I couldn't find a full set new. Even though, I kind of wish I never sold it. SVT come back please! BTW, with very minor tweaks I got 417 hp on a dyno and 1/4 mi. @ 12.16

[@TheGuyWhoDidUrM0M]

@Vegas EMT thats what im thinking. . . damn hankook tires in 295/45-r18 are like $150 a tire for fucks sake. The nitto 555r 305/45-r18 are $250

[@Black70Fastback]

i wanted one of these sooo bad when i was 16 in 2000. now as an adult, i cant imagine having less than my 3/4 ton with 8 foot bed for practicality in my current life situation. thinking back, it would have always made more sense to just get a car as a modest performance car would still whoop this thing as it is after all a truck, and then just have a cheap truck for work. i was still young enough to think could have a truck for work AND still have something that was fun to drive all in one.

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

The Lightning’s always been my FAV muscle truck. How about that test of the ‘99 Lightning, Motorweek? It’s been a long time since I saw that.

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Looked up the inflation calculator, hard to believe this truck is now 20 years old. Anyways, in 2021 dollars that $33,000 MSRP is about $50,000. Which is right where a loaded Camaro SS, 392 Challenger, and 5.0 V8 Mustang with all the performance options is priced at. The old F150 Lightning might be slower, but its what I'd want to daily drive. You sit up higher in more comfortable chairs, the bed has a cover over it and makes it the world's largest trunk. Replace that double din radio with a modern touch screen with bluetooth, it interfaces with your phone like a new car.

[@LMacNeill]

Yes! Ford! Y'all *definitely* need to make a new one of these!! A dealer not far from me here in north Georgia made a 2017 "Lightning" model -- it was basically a 2017 F-150 with a supercharger and a body kit. I'd like to see a real one from Ford. That'd be fantastic!

[@abmeraz86]

Classic =)

[@GT6SuzukaTimeTrials]

Needed a manual transmission so badly.

[@one7decimal2eight]

GT6SuzukaTimeTrials and an extended cab. just not enough cabin room.

[@joetheman357]

T56 swaps are getting more common. There's a few on youtube, but the swap is kind of a pain. Definitely worth it tho imo

[@aaronbays4]

The F150 Harley Davidison edition was a 4 door crew cab lightning. Same powertrain.

[@BrownBomber92181]

@@aaronbays4 not quite, it was a lower boost version of the blown 5.4, only 340 hp I believe

[@TheOzthewiz]

@@aaronbays4 The '02 HD had 345 HP, Lightning had 395 HP

[@AlarakTheHighLord]

I test drove one of these and that supercharged whine was orgasmic!

[@DreamHachi]

I remember thinking this, the Chevy 454 ss, the dodge lil red express and SRT 10 were badass when I was young. Still haven't changed that opinion

[@TheNery1]

I bought my new I still drive it and I still love it.

[@pzkpfw2310]

Been a dream car of mine since I was a kid and they were new. Hopefully I’ll get one this year

[@weskirkland5850]

Binge Watching all these retro reviews. Damn trucks in this era stop and handle better than sports cars 20 years earlier.

[@richarcm]

I’ve got an 03 Cobra. I sure would love to have one of these parked next to it!

[@waltscrossfiresrt6]

Wow 2016 ecoboost 14.0@98 and this old 17 year old truck went 13s back then I am impressed

[@jeremyh4180]

The rims are awesome. Along with the rest of the truck

[@1madinjun]

There were soooo many of these breaking into 12s at the dragstrip I raced at.

[@Mikefrom843]

Not a ford fan....but That truck is ahead of its time even till today. Very nice

[@2steaksandwiches665]

Still looks good even today

[@sabinabrozynski9215]

Back in the early 2000's I was a driving instructor for SVT Owners Assc. I had a number of students attend these driving events with Lightings and I always was impressed by just how fast they were. One of our instructors had one and over time modified it with more boost and bigger brakes and tires. It was almost as fast as my 93R Cobra Mustang in the straights but of course I out cornered him.

[@1Pueblito]

I've always wanted a Lightning so bad.

[@nocturnalmayhem0]

is motorweek doing another retro marathon this thanksgiving to continue where they left off? pleaseeeeeeee do it.

[@Motorweek]

yep

[@nocturnalmayhem0]

MotorWeek ahhh ya cant wait

[@philipstewart4474]

An all around beautiful, fast and handling truck.

[@JayBuccola]

Watching this guy age over a few videos in a row is trip.

[@chocodiledundee1]

This truck shocked the pickup truck world ... I was living in Sydney Australia back then .... man those trucks where everywhere in Sydney... it was a massive hit down under ...

[@Alexander_Timonin]

simply awesome

[@eltonjohn3236]

I liked this generation of the F150. The roundish styling worked here where it didn’t on the cars. Just don’t crash one of these. :)

[@TheMathiyo]

Imagine this engineering with modern 10 speed

[@rxraider4778]

They should have made a ford ranger widebody lighting with that motor.

[@one7decimal2eight]

Ŕx ŘÅĮĐĘŔ yes. and also made a Ranger with a v8 and 4 full size doors. may have saved that line of trucks instead of being boring and underpowered from the beginning until the end.

[@Leo-vr3bg]

Four doors no, maybe suicide doors. It was a compact truck.

[@one7decimal2eight]

That Contra Guy they made Explorer sports tracks. dodge had a small truck with 4 doors. the Tacoma was as well. ford missed the boat by not offering it.

[@thefuzzypickle8277]

Didnt they have a ford ranger thunder edition

[@rxraider4778]

Anthony Perez ha yeah but it definitely wasn't a widebody truck with a supercharged 5.4 liter.

[@leonlawrencez28]

Bad Ass Truck!!!!! Remember this well!!! Only truck faster was the GMC cyclone.

[@srtology]

Leon L nope, ram srt-10 still is faster.

[@dylanhanes7205]

Srt-10 but cyclones were awsome lil trucks

[@jbouchard4877]

Lightning was the fastest truck. Wasn’t the quickest truck though. There is a difference

[@billyray4716]

@@jbouchard4877 srt 10 had a higher top speed

[@jbouchard4877]

Billy Ray srt came out in 2004. So I’m not even including it.

[@anygivendayjtx751]

I have a 2001 lightning myself its a sweet truck love it!!!!!!!

[@AlexLopez-vx3cr]

Early 2000s Ford was the shit! Give me a Terminator Cobra, a Ford GT, and a Lightning and I'm set. Loved the colors too. Mystichrome, Screaming Yellow, Sonic Blue, Dark Shadow Gray.

[@jakesmith2984]

Exhaust tune and pully You sir got a road warrior bully!

[@senorstronk]

i still want one. may have to get one before all the electric crap takes over and people figure out they will never make these again

[@nathanadkins9374]

Did that one blow the spark plugs out at lightning speed? ⚡️

[@srtology]

Nathan Adkins all 5.4 v8’s from that era blew out plugs.

[@nathanadkins9374]

SRTology i know hence the joke. This one does it at lightning speed

[@nathanadkins9374]

Patrick Simmons You mean my husband?

[@justinsanders2705]

My favorite truck of all time.

[@Bassin_withaustin]

What about the dodge ram srt10 with the viper 10cylinder

[@Limited-uq2yk]

The lighting came out first that's why the the ram srt10 wasn't mentioned in this video.

[@BlayzedBlue]

Ford really should bring this truck back. A custom 650 hp twin turbo Ecoboost engine would be sweet.

[@Cruor34]

They have, in a way, I own one. 2018 F150 Lariat with the 5.0 V8, 3.73 axle, Roush Supercharger (under warranty because they partner with Ford) 650 HP, 610 Torque, 0-60 in 4 seconds on a cool day. Truck cost me 57k, 10k for the super charger. You could get a base F150 with the V8 for like 35k maybe, then get the 10k Super changer, 45k truck, or roughly the same price as this thing in todays dollars.

[@FordFan01]

5:35 HA! Love the monotone delivery on that line.

[@The570Experience]

I had one of these in high school...the tire marks are still there in front of my old house

[@RelaxAndSmokeMeth]

Words from a legend.

[@virgilforehand9435]

Classic!! Wish they still made em. I know they have the raptor, but some people just want a simple truck with a ass load of hp!! Although, 2001 with a supercharger and only pumping out 380hp..... Tech has came a long way today.

[@steveespinola7652]

Dam, it's still a cool 😎 looking truck even to this day.

[@garren588]

I wonder if Motorweek will post the retro review for the ‘98-‘02 Accord?