I'm thinking of buying a 99. I know that that year has 20hp less than the 01, but what else is different. What options are available & comes standard. Also -- does anyone have a problem with bottoming out? That is my main concern when switching from my supercab 4.6. Thanks.

 

had a 99, no overhead console, no turn indicators on the mirrors, no 373 rear end, no bilstein shocks, no softer tire compound, no improved intercooler. get the 01 much better truck.

 

The main reason I want a 99 is because of the price difference. Thanks.

 

As a 99 owner who bought a 99 for that very same reason, I say go for it.

Any 2nd gen L will run a mid-12 second quarter with less than $1000 worth of bolt-ons, so who cares if it's got an overhead console.

99's have a handy cubby hole under the steering column that neither the 00's or the 01's have...

As for tires, Most 99's will not still be wearing their original skins... I'm on my 2nd set going on 3rd shortly with 48000 miles...

The 99's and 00's are subject to the intercooler recall which gets you the corrected intercooler for free regardless of mileage...

For me, the bottom line was, I can spend $20-21K on a used 99 and save myself $10K. I'm thinkin' for the 10 grand saved, I can afford a couple bolt-ons. A overhead console, "New Car" smell, 3.73 gears, and 20hp just wasn't worth the extra $10K...

Plus the 99 has the bonus of not being quite so massively produced. My White 99 is one of 866...

Go for it brotha...

 

I just bought a 99 Lightning. I went from a 99 XLT 4x4 ORP s/cab to the Lightning. I chose the 99 for the same reason, $$. I found this L, with 13,800 miles on it, and paid $24K. The cheapest I could find a new 01 in my area was around $30k, and none of the dealers would commit that they could even get one. My 99 looks just about new. I had to do a really good detail/wax job on it, but now it is about perfect. I could easily afford the 01, but just didn't want to pay the extra $$ for the minimal difference of the 99 and 01. Overall, I like the appearance of the 99 better, except for the 01 headlights and brake lights, they are sweet.
Performance wise, it is what I wanted. The overall performance difference between the 99/00 and 01 years isn't much. Yes, the 01's are slightly faster, but like Logan said, with a few easy bolt on's, any 99/00 can be as fast, if not faster than stock 01's. Mine is staying stock for now since I don't drag race it.
As far as tires, unless it is a low miles one, they won't be on the original Goodyear F1's. The softer compound just means they wear out that much faster and again, you don't need the soft compound unless you race. FYI, these tires are $200+ per tire. I have Toyo Proxes S/T's on mine, I like them MUCH better than the Goodyear's that were on it. The treadwear is much better and wet traction is better.
The intercooler recall...do a search on it. I posted a phone number and information on what to do to get the recall done. Mine goes in tomorrow for the recall. All I did was go to the local SVT dealer and have them pull up the vehicle history, they'll be able to tell you what has or has not been done to it.
From the supercab to the Lightning.......buy some type of tonneau cover. I went with a soft one because I need it totally removed sometimes and the hard ones aren't easily removed. I miss the extra cab, but I am getting used to the bed. I also am ordering a bedrug for it also.
Just be patient and look for a nice, low miles 99. Many people upgraded with the 0% financing, putting many excellent buy L's on the market. Just watch out for the ones that HAVE been heavily mod'd and ran hard, you never know what else has been done to them. That is why I intentionally looked for a nearly stock L (mine has a K&N, that's it).
If you have any other questions, email me.

 

99s will run with any 2000 or 2001 with just a few mods. Keep in mind, the motor is the same. All SVT did was open up the intake a little (90mm MAF) and make a few other little changes that can be duplicated with aftermarket parts. Like logan said, "Go for it brotha...

 

Another thing to consider is the interest rates. If you can get an 01 with 0%, than you are saving like $3,000-$4,000; if you get the 99 you will be paying probly that much in interest. That is one of the few reasons why I got an 01 and not a 99 or 00. The other reason being it's new. faster ( although slighty), and better looking with new stuff IMO.

 

OK,

99 owners will say, yeah, go for it, because we like ours.

00 owners will say, whatever, because it's the same as a 2000, but a year older.

01 owners will say, nay, because it's slower and uglier.

Just buy a Lightning. You'll love whatever year you end up with. I promise.

 

I just traded a 99 for an 01 because of the Xplan, low interest, and a fresh warranty. They are the same truck, except for a few minor tweaks which you can add if you would like. The two trucks respond the same to mods and will run the same exact times with equal mods. Install a chip, air kit, 90mm MAF, and pulley and you will be running low 12's the same as an '01 with the same mods. Buy the Lightning and have fun.