For over a decade the F-Series trucks have been the most popular vehicles amongst new car buyers. So it made sense when Ford introduced the Lightning in 1993 and many car enthusiasts knew they were on to something great. GM and Dodge both attempted a performance truck in their line up, but it took the great minds at SVT to show the world how to do it right. Fast forward to 1999: The Second-Generation Lightnings were introduced. This time around SVT went above and beyond the First-Generation Lightning and provided the best all-around performance truck ever.
The Second-Generation Lightning was a godsend for many enthusiasts, including Vinnie Telesco of New Jersey. Telesco has been a car guy all his life having owned several Mustangs, both old and new, as well as many different Corvettes. In 2001 he cruised the streets of New Jersey in a Chevy Indy Pace truck while getting his speed kicks out of a Corvette. But the burden of owning two vehicles led him to the pages of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords. It was there he found exactly what he was looking for, an SVT Lightning. "I wanted both at the same time," says Telesco. He went on to say, "I love the feeling of a truck, but hate getting beat trying to merge into traffic." The answer was picking up a '01 Lightning and selling off his other two vehicles.
"When I got the truck I swore it would stay stock. Then I found F150online.com and JDM Engineering," commented Telesco. The rest they as say is history, as he caught the speed bug. He dropped the truck off at JDM with instructions to make it fast. The plan was to not only to go fast, but also make the truck look fast while stationary.
As you can see from these photos this Lightning is one of a kind. Special attention was paid to both the interior and exterior to make sure no piece was overlooked. Telesco started inside where he yanked out the factory interior and added an '02 Expedition console. Since the truck was getting a flame paint job, Telesco thought a nice touch would be an armrest from the Harley Davidson F-150 truck. It has custom flames stitched into the leather.
Boost and temperature gauges have been added to keep an eye on the engine's vital signs. For entertainment he spared no expense by adding a custom stereo system that includes a TV as well as a PlayStation2. Smoothed and painted dash pieces complete the interior. On the outside custom flames have been painted on top of the factory red. A Pro Glass Shaker hood was added along with smoothed and painted body panels. A set of 20-inch, Bazo-4 wheels with Dunlop tires complement the smooth looking truck.
The usual barrage of bolt-on components was part of the first wave of modifications from JDM Engineering. That included a smaller blower pulley for more boost, JDM long-tube headers and mufflers, and a single blade throttle body with JDM filter. A Superchip custom chip was burned on the chassis dyno at JDM to ensure maximum performance and keep the truck street legal. JDM modified the transmission with one of their line mod valve kits and a P.I. torque converter. Hoosier Quick Time Pros mounted on 16x10 American Racing wheels help hook the weight-heavy pickup truck. When used in conjunction with FRPP springs and stainless-steel, Rancho-style traction bars the truck hooks hard at any track with 1.50-second short times. Other suspension modifications include the back end being dropped 2 inches.
It has been a long, fun trip for Telesco and the result so far is an award winning show truck that has been victorious on the dragstrip and still sees street action. Telesco drove from New Jersey to Norwalk, which is about an eight-hour trip, for the Fun Ford Weekend race. Despite the lengthy trip, he took home Best in Class in the car show area on Saturday. Then on Sunday he received a trophy for Best in Show and Best Open Class in addition to being awarded the Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords Editor's Choice award. That weekend he also competed in the Tough Truck race category. Just one month later he showed he knows how to do it on the dragstrip by going to the winner's circle at the FFW New Hampshire race.
Like every good racer, Telesco wanted more. Going mid 11s was fun, but going 10s would be better. Shortly after these photos were taken the truck went back to JDM for one of its Lightning engine upgrades. The 5.4-liter engine now features a set of forged pistons with Manley/JDM connecting rods as well as an upgraded valvetrain. For a big boost in power the Eaton blower was replaced with a Kenne Bell unit. The new bullet spun the chassis dyno to 613 hp and 705 lb-ft of torque at the tires. The result on the dragstrip has been an outstanding 10.76 at 125.46 mph.
Like all good projects, Telesco received a lot of help and would like to specially thank his wife, Teri, as well as Rob G. With their help and Telesco's passion the Lightning has become a winner on the dragstrip, in car shows and on the streets.