MuscleTrux Wars FINALE: Ford Lightning vs Chevy 454 SS Grudge Match - Trucks S10, E19

In this show, it's finally time to lay it on the line as we put the first two trucks in our MuscleTrux series up against each other in head to head competition. We're scoring this Ford versus Chevy battle on everything from flat out performance to road manner and even to good looks.
Follow the match up in the MuscleTrux Wars playlist:
• MuscleTrux Wars - '90 ...
PARTS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
DJM Suspension: Three inch lowering drop I-beams, rear lowering shackle and hanger kit.
Garage-Pak, LLC: Modular Air Piping System.
KW Automotive North America Inc. Belltech: 3"F/4"R drop kit complete with Street Performance shocks, front sway bar upgrade and alignment kit.
Mickey Thompson: 28x11.50-15 M/T E/T Street tires, 15x10 M/T Racing wheels, 5x5/5x5.5 B.C. 4.5" B.S.
Mickey Thompson: 28x11.50-15 M/T E/T Street tires, 15x10 M/T Racing wheels, 5x5/5x5.5 B.C. 4.5" B.S.

[@alexmagee5743]

I think my dad may have this on VHS somewhere near his old 90’s porn VHS.

[@xanderrosin7357]

Alex Magee haha legend😂

[@baddonkey6876]

I have it WITH my old 90s porn on the same VHS

[@davidenglish2003]

They may be making more money releasing these episodes on KZbin than they did back in the day.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

Peter North😍

[@baddonkey6876]

@@BigEightiesNewWave ha! You know your vintage porn

[@stevend3753]

“Premieres in 2 days”. Like this isn’t a video recorded years ago with 4 minutes of coverage on these two trucks and 17 minutes of infomercial.

[@hydrocarbon8272]

Based on another vid it's about 4yrs vs when it aired on TV. Ironically that's when I cancelled my cable subscription, so I'm fine with that.

[@allenjones675]

Y'all should do another episode like this with classic cars. Heedfully with the 1979 z71 I rock camaro.

[@chancewarren2042]

I thought this was from the 90’s

[@mantisushi]

This aired in 2008 lol

[@slumpnmyrump4986]

Seen the 2008 at the end like are u kidding me?? We've been bamboozled!

[@MagnoliaSupreme]

A 2 day wait for a video that’s 9 years old😕.

[@scringe1]

I know right? lol.

[@nortons4673]

“Okay”

[@brian1157]

They've had this whole series posted on their website the whole time. I couldn't wait so I went ahead and watched them all

[@TheBb6prelude]

MagnoliaSupreme I didn’t mind

[@wade998]

11 years..

[@Paulio91184]

That 454 needs new pistons to get it to 10.5-11:1 compression....under 8:1 stock and 8.8:1 after the head upgrade in episode 1.... It doesn't matter what parts you throw at it with compression that low.

[@whatta7793]

Agreed, if running that low of compression that thing needs a MASSIVE shot of nitrous.

[@sonparabailar]

"And copper is expensive" Throws in trash

[@jeeppower4871]

haha I know, I checked the comments just to see if anyone else noticed how ridiculous that was. and it was a big ol fat piece too lol

[@jonathanryan2915]

and it was worth more back when this was filmed

[@RetroCheater81]

Meth heads are probably scrounging around in their trash now.

[@ronb113]

Lmao, priceless!

[@dangoldbach6570]

Bigstacked is flipping shits right now. He could've melted that into at least two ingots in his forge!😁

[@Dr_Xyzt]

The 454SS has a sweet looking wheel/tire package. Fun, simple trucks. For their time, and budget, they did just fine. A modern re-do of these trucks would entail some disc brake swaps, better bottom-end assemblies and cylinder heads, as well as a locking diff for that chevy, like a detroit locker.

[@sorshiaemms5959]

ILL TAKE THE FORD

[@Dr_Xyzt]

@@sorshiaemms5959 The original lightning would be wicked with a 434 Clevor.

[@sorshiaemms5959]

AGREED 100%@@Dr_Xyzt

[@Dr_Xyzt]

@@sorshiaemms5959 On a side note, I've worked on both of these kinds of trucks. The GM chassis is better. The inline-6 F150's are underrated.

[@sorshiaemms5959]

UP north in the rust belt the gm frames rust faster and 351s are hard to beat@@Dr_Xyzt

[@elilachappa3330]

This is the best thing since having full roadkill episodes on KZbin

[@danielnolasco119]

For real, I agree

[@mattperkins7038]

It’s so cool that they’re uploading these old episodes.

[@ziggy3075]

guided one I mean, I never saw it before but I bet that lighting sucks the f*#king head lights out that SS

[@billybobaggins8820]

guided one these two trucks look so familiar you’re a tool

[@duradim1]

Sad that others are so ungrateful and complain about waiting a couple of days.

[@angelfigueroa1206]

Isn't this like 9 years Old ? Why wait 2 days Or even a week to release every episode Just upload the whole damm thing .

[@felixthecat1672]

Fucking dogs

[@banditsbikeco3439]

It’s about hits per day....KZbins algarhythums and how to work them for views. If you upload 4 videos in a day and someone watches all 4 it isn’t as much click activity as staggering them out 24-48 hours. It’s pretty common knowledge for content creators on this platform.

[@williamsanders468]

Yeah if they just posted all the episodes they have they wouldn’t see as many views

[@justinballard7242]

7:39 I almost had a seizure

[@jefflucietta6894]

😭👍

[@jameson3500]

Terrible editing. Maybe a few frames of "back and forth," but that was excessive.

[@alphazulu3555]

The Chevy could really use another 2" taken out of the rear......

[@ShadyO-e]

Most definitely.

[@skullcrusher2732]

Are you talkin about to make it look better because the slalom course it kick but no problem brake test got slaughtered the red truck did they just put fuel injection in the Chevy small block Ford with a turbo pretty much had the advantage but the Fords like 6 years newer 5 years 6 not even worth talking about I guess

[@alphazulu3555]

Yeah to look better.

[@WhiteManXRP]

Absolutely

[@salazam]

@Zachary Trent *you're

[@adrianmartinez5270]

All that wait just to see the 454 1 wheel peel on the donuts😂

[@CraftsmanQuad19]

That open diff life

[@ShyaMiss]

I'm a GM guy, and I always loved how these 454ss trucks look. But any way you look at it, Chevy halfassed this truck. That 454 was literally plucked out of the 3500 line. It is a low compression, low rpm, small cam engine that was meant to produce ok horsepower and torque, and to be worked hard towing things. None of that makes for a good performance oriented drivetrain. What's worse, the "build" they did for this show, did NOTHING to address the built in shortcomings.

[@darrellwilson5808]

I've always heard it was one of the worst production vehicles ever made for gas mileage...

[@TheUsmc0802]

I still want a 454 SS, I have the original Hotrod from when they came out, love them!

[@CraftsmanQuad19]

Gorgeous trucks

[@mseabolt45]

I remember one with a wiend blower with a pair of 600 Holly's. Was a monster. Stock block and heads too. They are still great looking vehicles

[@bilbobaggins4710]

@@CraftsmanQuad19 hell yeah...I'd drive the shit out of one

[@FB67Mustang]

That lightning is beautiful. Definitely a dream truck

[@panchosspeedshop8576]

"Only one wheel is spinning" *Proceeds to do a proper two wheel burnout. lol

[@kevin2m4]

looks like a gov lock rear. 2 wheel in a straight line but any turning it goes to one wheel. bad for donuts. my camaro had one of those

[@Miguelspl150]

Neither of them know how to do donuts.. it's not just slamming the throttle to the ground

[@Big_Loo]

@William Schwartz no. The Chevy has a GovLok, which is not a limited slip, and has no clutches in it.

[@95Sn95]

That SS looks sinister!

[@CHEVYCAMARO4GEN]

That 4 wheel burn out is on God Mode

[@Luke-tm5oy]

Man the 454ss was so disappointing when it came out, the cyclone/typhoon totally kicked its ass in the when it came out.

[@johnjohnston1168]

Because the 454ss was literally the exact same crappy tbi 454 from the 3/4 and ton trucks which meant they didn't even try to make it better just said here's you a big block 454 in half ton short bed it's not very fast but looks cool

[@BrownBomber92181]

@@johnjohnston1168 that exactly right. The had an anemic 7.9:1 compression ratio making only 230 hp.

[@ericbrenner690]

Syclone not Cyclone.

[@roninkraut6873]

@@johnjohnston1168 Yeah, Chevy pulled a Ford and released something people wanted but didn’t put any performance effort into it. Ford was notorious for that or releasing a high performance vehicle in only limited numbers or only through its special order shop.

[@CoyoteFTW]

@@roninkraut6873 - when? Boss 429 only needed a lil more aftermarket support that’s all. Rickie Smith made the first pro stock IHRA 7 second pass in 1980 with one. And Dyno don nicholson ran the first 7 in NHRA pro stock with a 516ci Cobra Jet Those engines just needed more aftermarket support is all. The quickest street car in the country was “Sudden Death” street car that ran 9’s! In the 70’s. No Hemi or chevy could come close. the famous “silver bullet” was TOO scared to race the mustang.

[@Thelongmanable]

*_PRETENDING THIS WASN'T SHOT FIVE YEARS AGO ISN'T HELPING RATINGS ON KZbin!!!!_*

[@RetroCheater81]

its closer to 11 years.

[@Thelongmanable]

Chris Roseberry *_They will never get what is entertaining in automotive society... Let me direct the program and they will learn what is needed.._*

[@banditsbikeco3439]

I think you mean 11....700k subscribers tho, so they’re doing better then you! Many of us love these old videos vs todays hoonagin clone automotive content

[@fourstarman1]

the 454 still needs more compression. 8.8:1 is still just hardly anything. reuse the heads, intake, cam, block, rods, crank, everything just put a set of pistons in it to get that compression up would make a big difference. I mean, they pulled the whole motor out, had the heads off, the oil pan off... obviously spent a good chunk of change, what would another 400 bucks on a set of pistons have hurt??

[@blakechico9542]

Haha 454 SS, what a joke of a truck. The Lightning is a legend in it's own right in the truck world.

[@edjackson4389]

I lowered a 95 F150, added edelbrock shocks, and addco bigger sway bars. It handled like sports car on a curvey road. The only negative was the slacky steering box, but with some adjustment it wasnt too bad. The lightning rear leafs must be too stiff because I never had oversteer with mine. It was neutral handling at the limit.

[@jimmycorbett4611]

They were definitely too stiff

[@michaelcollins7596]

I would love to see y’all do a Dodge SS/T. Everyone forgets about the red headed step child of the big three.

[@luischavez8645]

Lightning all the way⚡️454ss still nice tho

[@CanadaBud23]

Damn, I could have bought a mint condition 454 7-8 years ago for 10K. Had no rust and perfect paint. Clean and only had a oil down the front of the motor. Easy rebuild and could have had a super cherry truck.

[@bennetfox]

You guys need lockers in both trucks to get rid of that one-wheel peel.

[@steviedee71]

I’ve never seen a video I had a week 36 hours to watch you’re killing me

[@LIKIN2RACE]

Great show!!! How can that Chevy Big Block Be so slow And the lighting, I have an 88 chevy C1500 sport that weight is 4100lbs, with a little 355efi stock bottom end with ported alum L98 TPI heads by me, GM Performance LT1 Hotcam, 4L60/700R4 with one tire fire pegleg 3.42 gears, ran a 9.15et @75mph with street tires, no drag radials or slicks..

[@wild_horses]

Both are badass trucks!

[@melted_pistons]

The 454 had some really impressive handling. Makes me want to build my trucks suspension

[@bryannonya9769]

try taking it around a corner.

[@johngeorge2081]

Wish there was a third contender. Maybe the Little Red Express with a centrifugal supercharger!

[@GRVDGRLIFE4]

Those two trucks are so beautiful

[@67pear]

In my younger and dumber days I raced a 454SS on the interstate through one of the worst areas for police. Completely chance encounter and didn’t get caught. Let off when his headlights were dots in the rear view. Miss my old truck and the fun I used to have in it but am still alive with a license.

[@littlerhino2006]

Oh it's on my recommended feed and it's for real this time? Thanks.

[@jbr496]

I remember a '74 Chevy 454 that a friend of mine used to drive. That thing was a super smooth accelerator with monster low end torque but it was all done at 4000 RPM. It needed way more head and cam. I'm not sure what mods this one has.

[@SamAceRothstein]

I've always believed the 454 SS aged very well, still a beautiful truck even today.

[@cobracharmer6178]

Read this 1st. It'll save you 18minutes! Lightning: 1st run; 9.21 @ 74.02mph.2nd run; 10.29 @73.98mph. 3rd run; 9.52 @76.92mph. 8.98 @ 76.29mph with M/T slicks. SS: 1st run; 10.04 @ 72.93mph. 2nd run; 9.97 @ 73.56mph. 3rd run; 9.70 @ 74.17mph with M/T slicks.

[@Blackinterceptor999]

Crown vic chassis swap that Lightning and handling will no longer be an issue.

[@trevorwilson5461]

That GaragePack is an expensive death trap.3 of my buddies got it and installed it properly and out of the 3 of them 7 mishaps occurred.joints keep blowing apart.all 3 had major issues

[@usmcvet0313]

That was pretty cool. The outcome was the opposite of what I predicted.

[@4.8isai75]

14:30 NO QUEMA CUHH

[@agustinjr.enriquez6238]

La Chevy no sirve cuh

[@smitty31560]

We use to race all of these vehicles when they were new. I had a deep respect for the 454, however the Lightning would get it everytime. Around 97 when Ford changed the body style and put the 5.4 in I couldn't wait for them to race. It was close but it would outrun the Lightning everytime.

[@donovan007007]

That Garage Pak airline, I’m getting that!

[@nathonsmithson3024]

i new two guys back in 1995. one had 454ss and the other had a 5.0 5 speed f150 4x4. the 150 would smoke the 454. everyone i ever met that had ss454 wasn't happy with it. basically just a 1 ton moter in a half ton pick up. does a pretty good burnout but worthless for performance

[@nathonsmithson3024]

@guided one neither one of these trucks are really fast. they are both 15 second quarter mile trucks from the factory. not bullshit. just wind that 5.o out tight and she'll run right with these. a mansmision against a 1990s auto in factory form makes the difference

[@jakestree1892]

Yeah 454 smog engines are not impressive but with the right combo they come to life

[@DirtyDagwood]

Premiered in 2008 you mean. Cut the shit and just say it aired at noon on a Saturday 11 years ago for people that weren't interested in watching Notre Dame play Navy.

[@CraftsmanQuad19]

That’s oddly specific

[@crazyeyez1502]

2008, if you go by the copyright at the end of the video.

[@ImTheJoker4u]

Spot on. Power Block was a Saturday routine. Hell I remember before it was even PB, when it was just a few shows like Shade Tree Mechanic, Trucks, and Horsepower, on TNN, before it switched to “SpikeTV”.

[@rextrammell7840]

The guy driving the 454SS had a tough go at it. I have a 1990 model SS truck with a freshened stock bottom end, stock peanut port heads, Edelbrock Performer cam, Performer TBI intake, long tube headers, 40 series delta flows, Adjustable MAP, Fuel pressure reg & still stock TBI. We have cracked 9sec a few times in 1/8 on a 275/60/15 drag radial. 8.96 is the fastest time but it runs 9.0-9.1 almost every pass.

[@fasfzr1]

Both of these trucks are still cool as hell

[@dukesjeepsandtrails8511]

These trucks look like their just cruising down the street

[@Karios_Me]

honestly two amazing trucks here

[@andys8718]

Slow vs. slower, but I like how that SS looks

[@gavinthroop2839]

I kinda assumed the ford would win, those 454s came waaaaay underpowered. However, those old chevys are SHARP

[@missingremote4388]

I have the same engine in my 1995suburban. I keep it all stock. Sounds tough at a stop light. But it's slow.

[@gavinthroop2839]

missingremote all the old v8s were slow in the 90s. My dad has a truck with a 350 and it’s so frickin gutless compared to my jeep with a 4.0 inline 6 from the same time period

[@missingremote4388]

@@gavinthroop2839 mine had a after market supercharger on it for 12 years, until 2008. It seized up or stopped turning while I was driving 75 mph thru Utah... So I took it off. At a gas station off of interstate freeway I-15. The Paxton SN 95 centrifugal supercharger; Seemed to help with passing accelerating. But not my 0-60 time 10seconds. I sold it to someone on eBay who fixed the SN95 and put it on a, 1971 mustang Mach1 $500.00

[@AimlessMoto]

Really? A 2 day wait? Woof.

[@stereolababy]

yeah and it's from 2008. wtf

[@aaronvaandrager1001]

Every single one of the chevys look exactly the same

[@JM-yx1lm]

Aint they perty!!

[@aaronvaandrager1001]

@@JM-yx1lm real purty

[@kevintucker3354]

Exactly the results I expected.

[@mseabolt45]

I wish both would have been boosted with similar kits. Everything else with lowering and transmission was similar. I just think it would have been a better comparison with forced induction on both trucks.

[@tammyforbes2101]

This is where I live I’m just down the road from the London drag way. My cousin Robbie Mayne runs his S-10 there. I used to run my bike there.

[@sillyguy9828]

6:30 In, lets see the drag race

[@justinballard7242]

That lightning looks meaner

[@darrellwilson5808]

Gimme the Cyclone they showed! That was the real beast!💪

[@WoWDontu]

Any ‘05 Silverado SS’s there? Would love to see a bit on them. Maybe even a project?

[@quantum_entangled_tardigrade]

This is AWESOME! (I've been waiting to post this comment for nine years.;)

[@gunguyforlife630]

Dude at 3:44 SMH! "Him and some buddies" re-wrote the ECM codes ...yeah right, probably had no idea what was being done!

[@sccarguy]

This seems like the impeachment hearing , ford guys claiming victory chevy guys claiming victory lol

[@arkhsm]

@@bigboreracing356 I don't !!

[@GrandPrix46]

I'm looking forward to when it gets to the Senate, fun times ahead.

[@ActivityPhoto]

@@GrandPrix46 Only if the republicans get off their asses and do something.

[@I_like_turtles_67]

@@GrandPrix46 To get shot down. Trump has not done anything worth an impeachment. Former presidents have done a lot more and nobody bats an eye.

[@Flying_GC]

@guided one lmfao the Colorado is the worst midsize ute available, GM are not even in the truck game 😂 calling Raptors shitty that's hilarious dude.

[@uio890138]

This like being hungry for a snack, opening a candy bar, and realizing it's a crap health protein bar.

[@jayallen408]

There's something wrong with the anti-lock braking system in that lightning those trucks don't lock the front tires up they should have said that instead of just left people thinking those trucks lock up the front tires

[@roberthawxhurst3717]

I'm about 99% sure the 93-95 LIGHTNINGs only have 2-wheel anti-lock. Only anti-lock on the rear. The TRUX driver was simply honking down hard on the brakes which having no front anti-lock locked em up. BTW he locked them solid producing flat spots for sure.

[@jayallen408]

@@roberthawxhurst3717 I'm not sure why they would put four wheel anti-lock brakes on my 94 and 95 Bronco but not the lightning

[@willspicer3190]

The 1st test with the trucks it didn't lock up the fronts.. They even stated the Lightning had 4 wheel ABS and the SS only rears. They obviously screwed something up which killed the stoppong distance on that Lightning

[@jonathanswinford88]

That an his rear brakes aren't even working

[@scottgriggs2596]

The Lightning brakes worked a heck of a lot better stock than after their “performance mods”.

[@jeffa.8976]

both these trucks are awesome but its kind of funny that any ol modern stock pick up has the same horse power. The second gen lightnings were legends, in the late 90s they were running 13s

[@jerrygsvt]

Did I miss something, because I didn’t see the turbo install on the Lightning?

[@BBBILLY86]

Built 454, TH400 and 4.10 gears stock. Then left the stock 1,200 RPM torque converter?? That truck didn't need compression as much as it needed a torque converter, rebuild of the posi and somebody to heat them slicks up and leave hard!

[@mustanguy102]

I would love to have that Gen 1 lightning.

[@aarongarcia5296]

In my opinion, if Ryan would've put a power adder in the SS454, the playing field would be even

[@juangaona1520]

That Chevy should've been leveled out . Lower in the rear

[@bubbafinch07]

It's funny how far technology has come. Both will get smoked by a fwd family sedan. 🤣

[@loganmckinney1285]

Have you drivin a 454? A stock 283 sbc can smoke out new shitty stangs imagine a big block

[@FATMIKED5183]

@@loganmckinney1285 In stock form that truck only had 255hp and curb weight was 4400 pounds.

[@fastaslightfiber2534]

You must be talking TrailHawk

[@Overlord277]

@@loganmckinney1285 There is a guy on the Mustang forums with a ticket proving his S550 did the 1/8 mile in 8.22 @ 90MPH.

[@unicornsteaks6769]

@@FATMIKED5183 If you run that through a 1/8 mile et/wt/hp calculator to get flywheel HP it comes to 219. Pathetic.

[@mikecostello8769]

These trucks are timeless

[@chancewilson]

how many passes before the frame is trash on that 454SS?

[@otsenres1636]

So what would these trap times equal in the 1/4 mile?

[@NissanTy]

How technology in the automotive industry has changed since 2008. These trucks were barely cracking 300hp to the wheels with all the mods they did. The brake test made me laugh though, lets just flat spot the tires while we're at it lol

[@kb9oak749]

Had to race 1/8th mile for the Ford to win. The Chevy would kill it in the 1/4.

[@smokinstorm]

What elevation were you running at? My bone stock 2013 Ram tradesman regular cab 8' bed truck ran 9.71 @ 76 MPH on the stock tires and rims. I would think these trucks would have been over a second quicker and 10 MPH faster. Bolt on Lightnings like you had run 8's at our local track. Trying to figure this out.

[@TheBb6prelude]

smokinstorm probably elevation for sure. You can’t really compare a modern truck vs a old one. I bet that lightning will run a 13.2 no problem in Famoso Ca

[@Joshuapsalm]

I already now who wins I saw this yrs ago. But looking forward to watching it again

[@Mymochi888]

who wins?

[@rodriguezricker1]

Ford wins

[@paulhoskins7852]

LAME. Update: I only said "lame" because they click-baited with that "Premieres in 2 days" thing! This is a cool video.

[@paulhoskins7852]

@@msw7021 I only said "lame" because they click-baited with that "Premieres in 2 days" thing! This is a cool video.

[@jesusyeshuaelelyonelshadai6295]

I thought original lightning was a 5.8 windsor

[@loganbrown8400]

This is my home town I’ve ran my four wheeler down that exact track one time when it was closed and and straight down the track towards them pines is where I killed my first deer.

[@stereolababy]

right near where you kissed your sister

[@bilbobaggins4710]

Southern life baby 👍😁

[@juliodc1231]

The ford is faster than that heavy Chevy.

[@bilbobaggins4710]

The Chevy has the look tho

[@juliodc1231]

@@bilbobaggins4710 yeah I completely agree on that.

[@irish3183]

It would be cool to this series done with the early 2000's Silverado SS and F-150 SVT Lightning.

[@beardedg500]

Nice videos!!! Keep it up!!

[@DannyAllen10271966]

I wonder if these guys do fans trucks? I'd love to see them do a rebuild on my 1977 gmc factory 454...

[@alexjimmy9297]

What happened to the ABS in the lightning???

[@ben2687]

This takes me back to my high school years.

[@rtteazeie6384]

I didn't see if the lighting got built but if it did it's going to be hard to beat it got boost.

[@J_Braz_]

That chevy is my dream truck. I got a 94 single cab step side, 350 tbi. I wish I could get these dudes to pimp it out.

[@texasrose8477]

Damn when the lightning took off in the drag race it sounded like a 6.0 powerstroke

[@strangerdanger1271]

Did you hear the head gasket give out? 😂

[@amarularif3110]

Are there any isuzu 4JB1 2.8 diesel in the USA?? Do performance part exist?

[@nickma71]

I didn't watch all of the episodes. Are they still running the original Ford iron heads which were de-facto GT40 irons?

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

1/8 mile track? Not good enough for the 1/4?

[@SoCalChewbacca]

can you buy this series on dvd?

[@Dub-ce3dy]

I’d be happy with any of these trucks in this video but definitely want that SS 454

[@anthonynelson9136]

I see why they ran them on the 1/8 mile, if they would have run them down the 1/4 it would have taken another day for taping the episode. They threw all those parts and work at these truck and you could still use a calendar to time them down the 1/8 mile.

[@dmcepeda]

That 454 ss😍.. I think i found my new truck

[@What-ic6hp]

Copper is expensive but im still gonna throw it in the trash........

[@tragedydareaper]

sam magers lmao I’m crying laughing

[@jakefriday1714]

What are the wheel and tire specs on the 454ss?