Here's a thought for L and R/T owners. You know how you sometimes get into about the motors,price and size difference between the L and R/T? Well since Dodge uses the same motor for the R/T as they do for Ram then wouldn't you think it would be fair for Ford to use the same motor in the Ranger as they do in the N/A F-150 (5.4 L)? I think the Ranger would outrun the R/T if equipped with the 5.4 because of more horsepower and the new Rangers have 3.73 gear options. And for all of you guys talking about how the R/T is a mid-size truck and the F-150 is a full size, to me thats like comparing apples to oranges but comparing Rangers and Dakota's, well they both are in the same class. I don't understand why R/T and L's are being compared to each other because the are not in the same class weight wise and perormance wise. But the thing about the Ranger being equipped with the 5.4 is simply a thought since seeing the Dakota and the Ram being eguipped with the same engine. I bring this up because I used to work for a Ford dealership for about a year and a half up until a month ago and i used to drive the new F-150s alot with the 5.4 and they would whip the Rams with the 5.9 in it. We have 2 dealer locations and would have to transports new and used cars to the other location.Well one time I was in a 2000 F-150 5.4 with flowmasters and someone else was in a 2000 Ram with K@N and flowmasters and 5.9 in it and both were extended cabs . Well we get to a light and were sitting by each other and when the light turns green we nail it and i easily pull away from him up to about 70. Well when I got home that night I looked up MT(no im not a magazine racer), but a supercrew F-150 with the 5.4 in it ran 0-60 in 8.9 while the Ram with extended cab ran 0-60 in 9.5. Oh yeah, the new Rangers with the 4.0 and 3.73 gears are pretty damn stout for a V-6 (0-60 in 8 and a half in extended cab fashion). Not bad for a 207 hp V-6.Just imagine the 5.4 in it. I don't know this is just me talking, but i think it would outrun an R/T if it had a 5.4 in it. To me thats comparing apples to apples. Comparing L's and R/T is comparing apples to oranges. Just wondering what you guys including you R/T guys think about this.

p.s. 2 weeks after I quit a friend of mine who still works up there at the Ford deealership told me about a guy who traded his R/T in on a 2000 Lightning (red) because he got his a$$ spanked by a Lightning a few days ealier.Funny thing is, the R/T was equipped with a Kenne Belle supercharger and other bolt-ons .

Later

 

HI!... FIREBIRD96 : That's funny, I have a regular F-150 with the 5.4 and I have NO PROBLEM beating DAKOTA R/T's!LOL! Who needs a supercharger to beat a R/T? LOL!

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK"
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

Let's see. The R/T is Dodge's flagship performance truck. The Lightning is Ford's flagship performance truck. Any questions?

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2000 Black Lightning
#1326 of 4966
Born on 03/20/2000
PSP Chip
PSP Filter
Best time: 13.335 @ 103.91 mph

 

In my opinion the L and R/T can be compared because they do share 1 class catagory. They are both factory Muscle Trucks. Period. All the other factory trucks come in Sport trim only. Why else would the L and R/T never win the soprt truck of the year award ? Simple, they are not in the sport truck class. Now if there was a Ranger equivalent to the L and R/T, then it would be in the Muscle Truck class and would indeed be a much more fair comparison.



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99 Lightning in Pull me over Red.
- Build...#1869, June 2nd 1999. 1 of 1533 red
- K&N Filter Charger Kit.
- PSP Chip
- Bridgestone P245/70/R16 Winter Dueler's, on steel rims.
- Best time to date 13.572

Email me at bowerina@aci.on.ca

 

I dunno how much you pay attention to other sites like me.. (bored alot I recon) 2004 R/T should be mucho faster..
Mopar is coming out with alot of "R/T" performance parts for the magnums, which include Heads and a new single plane intake manifold...

Just remember, this is the 1st gen R/T, the first gen L's were slow as hell too... It looks as if Dodge is workin on playin catch up

 

Correction: I do believe there was a Shelby (or R/T?) Dakota in the late 80's or early 90's (the last boy style). So, techinacally, this isn't Dodge's first attempt at making a Muscle Truck.



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2000 Silver Lightning
#2798 of 4966
Born on date: May 9, 2000

 

I love Fords and I sell SVT's and Fords for a living now, but here's a few Mopar truck tidbits:

1978 Dodge Lil Red Truck & Warlocks were the quickest accelerating trucks ever produced to date. They were 1/2 ton regular-cab step-sides with a 360 V8.

I went Muscle Truck shopping in late 1994 to replace my 1989 5.0 LX Mustang. I tried them all: SS454 C1500, SVT Lightning, and a little known combo from Mopar which I bought because it was much quicker than the others:

1995 Dakota Sport Club Cab 4x2 (regular cabs were even faster due to the weight savings). Mine had the 318 (5.2) V8 as the 5.9's weren't available prior to the R/T's that came later. I also had the 3.55 Sure-Grip rear end (3.90's were available from the factory and much quicker). And, rarest of all, I had a 5 speed manual trans! Most sources say this wasn't even an option, but a couple hundred were built.

I found out about this truck in an August '94 edition of Autoweek magazine. Regular cabs with the 3.90 Sure-Grip and 5 speed were running the 1/4 mile at 13.90. My heavier Club Cab with less gear went 15.05 all stock. The SS454's and Lightning's in 1995 were turning 16's.

So yes, I think the R/T and Lightning's should be compared against each other.

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Current ride: 2000 Mustang Feature GT Coupe, Silver on black

 

you guys are just flat out getting rude with each other. Did you forget that you are all on the same team. RedBird is just sympathizing for the lil dodge. He IS comparing APPLES TO ORANGES.

And uh... Zeus and coolva.... The R/T would be dodges third attempt at a sport truck. Dodge was the first sport truck made. Remember the Lil' Red Express. The lil red dodge truck with the smoke stacks.

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Ted (Lightning R)

 

Since it was brought up about L's being compared to R/T's I'll throw this in. I have mixed reviews on this. I believe that the R/T's are the ONLY TRUCK stock from factory competition that we have today. There is no truck produced that is faster than these two. And in that, they can be compared. But from personal experiences, i.e. this past friday at a local 1/4 track, my truck (01 L with 1,300 miles on the odo) and a 00 R/T with unknown miles. My truck, pulled a respectable 14.1 at this track. While the R/T couldn't break HIGH, yes, HIGH 16's. But given this is a high altitude track. I'll correct both times. Say I ran a 13.6, that still only puts the R/T at 16.1's. That's a big differnce in the game of 1/4 racing. And in that, they should NOT be compared. You all follow me? Or am I just rambling on because it's 4am?? Oh, and I would love to see a SVT Ranger. Doesn't really NEED our engines, but do a knock off of the Syclone/Typhoon. V-6 Turbo, AWD..5-spd manual, sport suspension...damn...what a combo!!!

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-Marcus M.
Email-SnakEyez60@aol.com
Black 2001 recieved 2/10/01. Pictures coming soon.
Moderator:BLackBoLT01 Http://www.SVTperformnace.com
PICTURES AT
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...204&a=11459829

 

bear in mind that a single plane intake manifold will more than likely cause you to lose low end torque, not a good thing if your drag racing/towing.

 

welp, I just got my single plane intake... and I'm goin to the track the 17th.. I'll let ya know the #'s...

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97 Dakota CC, 318, Auto, 4x2
13.50@101.91

 

Neal - your truck doesn't count

Comparing an R/T to a ranger is still comparing 'apples and oranges'. Remember the ranger is a compact pickup, the dakota is a 'mid-sized' pickup, you know the best in it's class cause it's the only one in it's class.

Anyway a ranger with a 5.0L engine in it will run anywere 16's to much lower depending on how well and built up it's new powerplant is. Also it's said that the heads on a 4.6 are to wide to fit in a ranger, so I'd imagine the same would be true for the 5.4.

 

After reading the first post, I remember why I don't leave my truck at the dealership!

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99 Black#1940, Modified Airaid box, Pro-M 80, Swanson Chip, Wet Okole's, Loud Clunk, Bedrug, Clear corners, 2" Aim drop, 2nd set well worn F-1's, 135 W Xenon Fog Lamps, Red Line Water Wetter, That's all folks!

 

1BAD360 - not to be offensive, I do like the dakatos alot to. But I haven't seen a blown RT (with just a blower, no other major mods like nitrous) beat a gen2 lightning yet. I have an article from an older truckin, and it a had a dakota with a Kenne Bell S/C pushing up to 13lbs. of boost and the 5.9L couldn't get lower then 14's in the 1/4. Also another article from Sport Truck w/ a 4x4 dakota 5.2L and a manual hooked up with a powerdyne, and I don't think that one even made it into the 14's.

But I did see a Dakota with a viper engine in it, now thats a muscle truck.

 

I raced a Dakota R/T at the track once that had a blower. I believe it was a Paxton. He ran a 15.1 with it when we ran. Later that night I think he ran a 14.8 against someone else.

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2000 Black Lightning
#1326 of 4966
Born on 03/20/2000
PSP Chip
PSP Filter
Best time: 13.335 @ 103.91 mph