This 1993 Ford F150 Lightning pickup is right in the sweet spot of being not quite a show piece but not quite a project, and could be a smart buy for someone who wants to improve the cosmetics and bring it back to stock condition. The Lightning pickup needs little introduction here as a limited production, high performance sport truck, and they remain sought after today even if their performance pales in comparison to your everyday EcoBoost model. This one just needs some paintwork and and otherwise looks ready to roll. Find it here on craigslist in Charlotte for $10,500.
The Lightning was from a glorious era in truck building when the Big 3 decided to build short box pickups with lowered suspensions and high output engines. The GMC Typhoon / Syclone, Chevy 454 SS, and the Lightning made it a buyer’s paradise for anyone who wanted to go fast and haul a load. The trend certainly continued but at a different level, with the SRT lineup of Ram pickups proving you could indeed shoehorn a Viper engine inside of one, and the Raptor becoming the new Lightning.
To me, there’s a wonderful simplicity about trucks like the ones I mentioned from the early 90s. They got slick body kits, tighter suspensions, decent power bumps, and the ability to pull a smoky brake stand anywhere you want. The Lightning seen here is clean inside with the bucket seats and dash presenting decently enough, and the carpet a touch threadbare in places. The listing does note there’s close to 180,000 miles on this truck, so I’m sure you’re going to find a few flaws that come with that sort of mileage.
The seller reports that the Lightning was previously repainted and that the clearcoat is lifting in places, a condition you can see on the hood. Modifications include a steel cowl hood, fiberglass roll pan, and two in / one out Flowmaster exhaust. Overall, those are modifications you can live with or easily swap out if you can’t. The Lightning is a great buy as a truck you can enjoy while also knowing there will always be a market for one should you decide to swap it for something else, like a later Dakota R/T – another muscle truck we seemingly see even less frequently than the Lightning.
This Lightning pickup seems to be in decent shape and cheap enough to where the next owner could freshen it up as time and funds allow. While there are quite a few miles on it, it sounds like it’s still a good runner and the owner has done some good work to the mechanicals. The interior looks pretty good apart from the carpet and drivers seat. The bed interior looks good, too; it doesn’t look like it hauled too much over the last 28 years. The only thing I don’t care for is the tonneau cover as they pretty much get in the way of loading large, bulky items. Overall, I’d say this Lightning is a pretty good buy for someone who wants a performance pickup and is will to take it to the next level.
Decent driver at that price. Fun fact: These were built on 4×4 snow-plow chassis as they’re more stiff than stock 2wd versions. This also means stock 2wd dropped beams do not work. Also, for repainting, it’s always nice to remove the cowl at the base of the windshield however F150’s of this era cowls were welded to the firewall. Not impossible to work around but a pain for prep.
I noticed the tailgate paint seemed perfect but was missing the Lightning decal so thought may be a replacement. Looking at the inside you’ll notice the inside of the tailgate is curved – loading of boulders?
Yeah, I miss my black ’93 lightning. If I found it I’d buy it back.
I wonder if there are any F150 Lightning clones out there, decals and all, leveling kit, of course the 351 HO. Just wondering, thats all.
Clones?
Yes a friend of mine owns a PRISTINE clone!
Back in the 1993 he bought a super low mile wrecked Lightning and bought a super nice short bed 1993 F150. Couple months later a Pristine 1993 Lightning clone drove out of the shop!
Still owns the truck and it is still low mileage and about a perfect as could ever want in the Lightning truck!
First generation Lightnings are awesome. I know many people who have owned them now regret selling them. I have a 1994 White “Pace Car” Lightning with 104,000 miles on it that I have owned since 2000. The original owner, that I purchased it from, contacted me numerous times inclusive of this year to buy iy back. Others contact me periodically to inquire if I want to sell it. I am not selling it because, although I don’t drive or show it much it’s a keeper!
Forgot to add that my 1994 has the jump seat, original exhaust and tue bumper. I also have a True Sport tonneau cover that can be rolled up to accommodate large/tall loads. Just used it to bring home an electric range for foe powder coating.
“Tube” & “for powder coating”
Located in Moorseville, NC