Muscle Truck: 1999 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning – SOLD!

February 1, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

While we’ve featured several first-gen Ford F-150 SVT Lightning pickups since the start of Guys With Rides, this 1999 example based on the then-new tenth generation of Ford’s best-selling brand is our first second-gen feature.  For 1999, Ford’s SVT group upped the ante by adding a supercharger to the company’s 5.4 Liter “Triton” V8.  That motor combined with a number of other upgrades made this truck the fastest one you could buy in 1999. That’s a title Ford held for several years until Dodge came up with the brilliant idea to stuff a Viper V10 in its Ram short bed.  These second-generation trucks do not come up for sale all that often, so we were pleased to stumble upon this driver-quality example originally listed in January 2o21 on Craigslist in Leesburg, Virginia offered at $12,500 currently. Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller actually has their Lightning priced below this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $13,800.

Hagerty Insurance provides a nice synopsis of these very fast trucks in their valuation tool:

“The 1993 F-150 SVT Lighting was Ford’s original sport truck and the first SVT model along with the Mustang SVT Cobra. Ford retired the Lightning name in 1995, but brought it back on the tenth generation F-Series pickup platform for 1999. The new model reflected significant mechanical improvements over the past four years. The body style was reconfigured as a regular cab stepside design, with a unique grille and headlights, fog lights, and taillights with clear lenses. The Lightning’s suspension was lowered one inch in front, two inches at the rear, and the model remained two-wheel drive.

Whereas the original Lightning used a version of the tried and true 351 Windsor, the 1999 Ford Lightning used an Eaton Supercharged 5.4-liter Triton engine, good for 360 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. MSRP for the 1999 SVT Lightning came in at $29,355 when the F-150 XL V8 listed from $16,015.

For 2001, the Lightning’s intake manifold was modified to boost power to 380 bhp, and torque rose to 450 lb-ft. The driveline remained aluminum but was increased from 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches in diameter and rear end gears were shortened to 3.73. To reduce axle tramp Ford relocated the right rear shock ahead of the axle. Monroe shocks were replaced by Bilsteins from 2001-04.

Ford sold a total of 28,124 second-generation SVT Lightnings from 1999-04. Available colors over the years included Black, Bright Red, Oxford White, Silver Metallic, True Blue, Dark Shadow Grey, and Sonic Blue.

The Lightning was certified as the world’s fastest pickup in 2003 with 147.714 mph through the traps. Ford decided to concentrate on the off-road SVT Raptor after 2004, calculating that the Lightning had become too big to be competitively fast. Dodge, meanwhile, adapted the second-generation Viper’s 500-bhp, 8.3-liter V-10 to create the SRT-10 pickup and take the top speed truck title at 154 mph.”

This driver-quality truck not only has a great price, but it has the potential for the next caretaker to invest a bit to take it to the next level.  Chances are good this is one of those rare vehicles you can drive as is and likely be able to sell it for at least what you paid for it.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s a MotorWeek Retro Review of a 2001 SVT Lightning to give you a perspective of this truck’s performance:

Here’s the seller’s description:

“OBO – REDUCED – PLEASE READ ALL. This model was the world’s fastest production truck when it was manufactured in 1999 [ first year for the 5.4 Eaton supercharged model ]. It came from the state of Washington and they do not put mileage on the title if the vehicle is over 10 years old so I am selling it true mileage unknown The mileage in the dash is digital and doesn’t light up so I don’t what the mileage is. It is not a show truck but could easily be. The headliner is not hanging down but it is coming loose in places and should be re-glued or replaced. The driver’s seat bottom shows some wear. The paint is not great but still looks good [ if I were to keep it I would have it painted due to its rarity ]. They only made 4000 of these trucks in 1999 and there were only 28,000 total from 1999-2004 when Ford ended production ]. It’s still very fast and sounds good. It has an aftermarket stereo and sub installed and it sounds great. I replaced both upper control arms with ball joints and both lower ball joints recently. Also replaced the left side sway bar link and supercharger belt. Everything works as should. Good heat and cold a/c. The bed is lined/carpeted inside with an aftermarket kit and was like that when I bought it. It will only go up in value and if you look at the ones that are for sale they are asking $20-30,000 for many of them. It needs nothing to be a daily driver. Don’t need to sell it but have too many toys to drive them all. Cash only person to person. Include a contact # if you want a response [ no exceptions ]! It is for sale if you see it. If you want to negotiate the price bring cash and we can talk person to person. THANKS“

Restore or Drive as-is: what would you do with this Lightning?  Comment below and let us know!