'02 Ford lightning rebuild project

[klabeaume]

2002 ford Lightning

This is what damage from 110 mph and a cable median look like. In all honesty, its a good shape considering what could have happened. Still drives good too, I drove it home over 15 miles, has a minor pull to the left. Nothing any alignment can't fix.

[BJoe]

Damn, you'll definately get plenty of bodyman experiance from that project, was that your fault or is it a insurance write off you bought?

[klabeaume]

Originally Posted by BJoe

Damn, you'll definately get plenty of bodyman experiance from that project, was that your fault or is it a insurance write off you bought?

I bought it like this, I went to school for autobody and worked in the field a few years before I made a career change to machinist. I most likely will just replace the fenders and doors. I plan to fiberglass the bedside back together. The cab corners won't be any fun.

[JeremyH]

Looks fun! Time for a trip to Certifit!

[STANG KILLA SS]

the upper cab gouge by the rear window scares me the most. mad props for taking on such a project.

[CrawlinMike]

How much you give for it? I would probably drive it until I had enough saved for a new truck.

[SunShine]

Those trucks are fun, I had one for a few years, got into alot of trouble. You'll enjoy it once its done.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

[Skeeno]

Originally Posted by klabeaume

I bought it like this, I went to school for autobody and worked in the field a few years before I made a career change to machinist. I most likely will just replace the fenders and doors. I plan to fiberglass the bedside back together. The cab corners won't be any fun.

Put a smooth bed on that thing. Get rid of the hiddy flareside thing.

[binaryterror]

Are you going to paint it red so you can delivery parts for Harry?

[klabeaume]

Originally Posted by JeremyH

Looks fun! Time for a trip to Certifit!

I am hoping to use oem parts from a parts truck

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

the upper cab gouge by the rear window scares me the most. mad props for taking on such a project.

You and me both.

Originally Posted by CrawlinMike

How much you give for it? I would probably drive it until I had enough saved for a new truck.

Nope, trucks kbb value is over 12k
I worked out a trade for my s10

Originally Posted by SunShine

Those trucks are fun, I had one for a few years, got into alot of trouble. You'll enjoy it once its done.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

Yup, I had fun driving it home

Originally Posted by Skeeno

Put a smooth bed on that thing. Get rid of the hiddy flareside thing.

I'd like to, I am not a big fan of step sides either. Just depends how the budget looks.

Originally Posted by binaryterror

Are you going to paint it red so you can delivery parts for Harry?

Nice "the slow and the curious" reference.

[Cordwood]

Sweet truck. Love those things.

You're going to want to just get a new cab corner panel, drill the spot welds and change it out. Just speed screw the new panel on to triple check measurements and fitment, then weld her up.

[klabeaume]

Originally Posted by Cordwood

Sweet truck. Love those things.

You're going to want to just get a new cab corner panel, drill the spot welds and change it out. Just speed screw the new panel on to triple check measurements and fitment, then weld her up.

Can't find any replacement parts for the cab. Not saying they don't make them I just haven't been able to find any.

[Sheepdawg23wm]

I think I'd find an early 90's Fox body stang in good shape with blown 5.0 and drop in that power plant. Then again, I'm just a Stang fan

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2

[Cordwood]

Originally Posted by klabeaume

Can't find any replacement parts for the cab. Not saying they don't make them I just haven't been able to find any.

Yeah, you're right. No longer available from Ford and the Chinese only make a corner 12" high. I'm sure you can buy a cab shell for less than 500. Check out car-part.com

Originally Posted by Sheepdawg23wm

I think I'd find an early 90's Fox body stang in good shape with blown 5.0 and drop in that power plant. Then again, I'm just a Stang fan

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using Tapatalk 2

I'm all about the fox body but I think he'll be just fine with the 380 hp supercharged 5.4 as a base

[klabeaume]

Originally Posted by Cordwood

Yeah, you're right. No longer available from Ford and the Chinese only make a corner 12" high. I'm sure you can buy a cab shell for less than 500. Check out car-part.com



I'm all about the fox body but I think he'll be just fine with the 380 hp supercharged 5.4 as a base

I am going to try a stud gun and puller first. I've got a pretty tight budget to stay in and still make some money. The bumper assembly already set me back 625 with gas to go get it. I needed 2 tires an those are 265 each.

Things I still need

Grille
Header panel
Rh headlight and marker light (on there way)
L/R fenders
L/R doors
Right bedside ground effects (1/2 on the way)
Tail light ( on its way)
Windshield
All paint and body supplies

Stuff adds up quick for sure.

[Cordwood]

Originally Posted by klabeaume

I am going to try a stud gun and puller first. I've got a pretty tight budget to stay in and still make some money. The bumper assembly already set me back 625 with gas to go get it. I needed 2 tires an those are 265 each.

Things I still need

Grille
Header panel
Rh headlight and marker light
L/R fenders
L/R doors
Right bedside ground effects
Tail lights
Windshield
All paint and body supplies

Stuff adds up quick for sure.

Well, you can fix that cab for sure. It's only time.

Good luck, I look forward to seeing progress pics

[klabeaume]

Originally Posted by Cordwood

Well, you can fix that cab for sure. It's only time.

Good luck, I look forward to seeing progress pics

Yup, time I got. Ideally I hope to find a good deal on a parts truck in which I can cut the cab sections out and replace mine. But we shall see what the Craigslist gods want me to have lol

[badhoopty]

it'd be pretty cool to shoehorn that drivetrain & engine into an old ranchero.

[ittybitty]

Nice find Kevin...is that an SS in the background also?

[klabeaume]

Originally Posted by ittybitty

Nice find Kevin...is that an SS in the background also?

Thanks Ryan, Yup that's the wife's trailblazer SS. I was joking about all our fuel efficient cars.

05 rubicon 4.10 gears 33's
06 tbss 6.0l awd 4.10's
02 5.4l supercharged lightning