2001 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Makes Us Miss 2000s
Back in the 2000s, when we used flip phones and “Friends” was still on, more intense 2001 Lightning was the ultimate sport truck.
Do you ever find yourself thinking, “The 2000s weren’t that long ago”? We’ve done that a few times. The sad – and shocking – truth is that they started 20 years ago. And more than a decade has passed since they ended. Depending on your definition, that can mean the 2001 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is almost a “classic” vehicle. We never thought we’d be asking “Remember when?” about the era of Y2K and early reality television, but here we are.
Back in 2001, trucks and SUVs were popular, just as they are now. Ford’s lineup was substantially different, though. Carroll Shelby was years away from reuniting with Ford to build a new high-performance Mustang with his name on it. The Crown Vic was still alive and well. The F-150 was available with more than one V8. And the ultimate version of that truck, the SVT Lightning, was focused on street performance instead of off-road action.
The second-generation of the F-150 Lightning started with the 1999 model year. Just two years later, Ford and its SVT (Special Vehicle Team) division gave it a facelift and more power. MotorWeek was there to drive it out on the road and on its test course. Given that the Lightning 2.0 was still relatively new, cosmetic changes consisted of “new billet-style upper and lower grilles, a new headlight and clear-lens projector beam taillight design,” according to host John Davis. Aside from new sun visors with vanity lights, the two-tone interior was carryover.
Ford and SVT made more significant changes to the supercharged, two-valve-per-cylinder 5.4-liter V8, which huffed eight psi from the Eaton blower. Output for the 2001 model was up by 20 horsepower and 10 lb-ft to 380 and 450, respectively. Davis said, “That extra boost in power comes from design changes to the air inlet system and manifold and a more efficient intercooler.”
The Lightning shot its power to the ground through a set of 18-inch wheels wrapped in Z-rated tires. A revised rear end ratio of 3.73:1 helped it bolt from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and charge through the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds at 101 mph. When the road ahead got twisty, Davis found the Lightning capable of keeping up. “The Lightning sticks to the pavement like a leech on the back of your leg.” It was just as good at stopping without brake fade or drama, thanks to 12.1-inch vented front rotors and 13.1-inch solid rear discs.
Since the early 2000s, Ford has phased out the Triton V8s and fully embraced twin turbos as its go-to method of forced induction – for V6s. The American Big Three no longer offer two-door performance pickups. But one thing hasn’t changed: the 2001 Lightning is still badass. Frosted hair and Morpheus-style sunglasses? Not so much.
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