Any help for a Lightning Newbie?

[dkingesq]

I'm looking at buying a used Lightning, and was hoping some folks might give me their opinions.
Any years to stay away from?
Specific things to look out for?
Are there different trim packages, I've seen threads referencing S or L, and not sure what that means?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
If there is somewhere specific I should have posted I apologize in advance. Thanks again.

 

[NateLightning]

I'm thinking of selling my 94 if i can find a 95 I like.

 

[BLoG]

The only big caveats are about the 93 lightnings. They came with no factory clearcoat, so most of them fade eventually. Mine was repainted with clearcoat, and looks great.

Also the transmission evolved from 93 to 95, and the 95 is a bit stronger.

No airbags in the 93 (i personally like this), darker interior color also.

The red in the 94 was different than the bright 93 & 95 reds. It's a darker red.

 

[Red 93 L1 #3383]

You will enjoy a L. '93's don't have clearcoat paint(paint fades bad), no airbag (IMO its better that way), 94-95 have airbag, clearcoat paint. These trucks are known to run strong @ 100k miles and there are a few in the 200k-300k+ range Radius arm bushings are known to go bad, bald tires are common The stock Trac-lok tends to self destruct. Overal these trucks seem to be built very well, I'd recommend running a Carfax report and check the body for signs of body work. If you can do some basic repairs and with the help of the knowelgeable group here getting your truck faster and fixing the little things that come up with every vehicle will be relatively easy. Go find yourself a high mileage, but in good shape L. You should be able to get one for about $6k-8k

 

[kevinlawson82]

Lets see where to start. 93's dont have clearcoat paint, have the weaker tranny, no airbags, and no jump seat option. They also have the highest build numbers per color and they didnt come in white. In thier defense..I have a Black 93 and I wouldnt sell it for the world .

For all Lightnings check for a bouncy speedo as an indicator for a bad rear end. Check the rear main engine seal for leakage. Check the shift quality of the tranny closely. Check the radius arm bushing on the passenger side because the catalytic convertor will melt it after awile. Maybe check some pics on a site somewhere or look at another Lightning to make sure your not getting any unwanted modifications and look for an "R" in the VIN# just to make sure its the real deal.

 

[kevinlawson82]

wow!!! when I started typing my post no one had responded yet. when I finally got done typing, it already had 3 responses! Talk about rapid response time. This board is awesome!

 

[johnlightning]

Noticed your in Kansas, if you are looking for a nice truck thats close buy, check out the trucks for sale section, SVTHAULN has his black truck up for sale. It is nice. Has a few mods done to it. Nothing radical. Check it out. Hes in Bixby, OK about 2 miles south of Tulsa.

 

[kevinlawson82]

Thanks John, but I already have a Lightning. .....The guy thats looking for one doesnt have his location posted:tu:

 

[Thundrn_Lightning]

Also, the '94-'95 trucks have the newer refrigerant in the A/C system, so A/C service is much cheaper. '93s have the old R-12 freon. I would personally look for a '95 truck because of the center jump seat and the stronger tranny.

Later!

 

[dkingesq]

Thank you!

Great info so far. Any and all info is appreciated, the more the better. I'm actually in Kansas City, MO, so anyone know of any good ones to look at in the area, I'm willing to drive to go see them. Thanks again. Feel free to email info, pics, etc. of anything for sale, or whatever, to me.
dozer_t_bulldog@hotmail.com