After I done gave up on a deal I was workign on, and planning the 302 build up, it finally worked out.( and I wasn't expecting it) Been trying to buy a 93 Lightning off a guy for a few months, and thought it fell through. Right before I leave for vacation, he calls and is ready to sell. So I bought the truck, and and was thininking about parting it out. But after driving and feeling the 351 power,, MAN!!! May swap motor into my truck..

I know allot of guys will say just fix the Lightning up,, but my body is in 5x's better shape. Owner used truck for hauling lawn equiment for 3-4 years, and use to take it out in the woods. Body is little beat up, but truck runs and drives. And interior is dirty, but seats are in decent shape. Bad thing is they are grey and I have tan interior.. I bought with the intensions of swapping everything over, but dang thats allot of work,,


I can't decide if I want to swap everything over, from motor to suspension. Or just motor... Or just part it and build the 302 based motor since I already got another block ready to go to machine shop.

Does anyone knwo if the lightning fuel rails connect in same location as the 302 rails??

 

Why not just swap your body panels over to the lightning? Doors, fenders, bed, etc. I bet you could do it faster than swapping the interior and drivetrain. Then again, yours looks pretty nice, it would be a waste. Maybe find a cheap truck with a blown motor for body parts. I've found a few around here for under $800 and they still run.

 

Wish the L's body was a bit straighter, but its has had better days. Both sides of bed it dented up, but not as bad as both doors, and p-side fender. Plus front lower valance is missing, with on broken fog light and bracket. Interior hasne't been cleaned in a while.. Luckily the seast had covers and they arne't too bad. Worst part is plastic cover has broken tabs where it mounts.. Radial arm bushing is missing on one side, door handle is missing fron driver door. Liek I said only reason I bought it was cause it is running and drivable if you don't mind a cluncking raial ..LOL

Right now I have in in storage, until I get caught up on all other business. That gives me time to ponder everything..Will try and get pictures this week.

 

build your 5.0 and sell me the drivetrain :]

if i were you though, i would swap out the whole drivetrain.

 

Well here she is, the 93 lightning (donor) I bought. Body is bit rough, and interior is in good shape but also needs TLC. Kinda wish it wasn't so rough, would fix it up and sell my 94. Plus only got bill of sale since owner lost orignal title..

 

Doesn't look too bad. File for the title before you do any work to it so you don't waste money on a truck you can't get a title for. If you can't get the title then the decision is made for you, swap the drivetrain.

 

Pictures make it look better than it is. But it is fixable. Swap a few body panels, and body would be ready for paint.. And interior would need a CLEANING, big time.(pic below is after an hour of heavy cleaning) It has dust all in dash, lights don't work, and looks like who knows what was spilled in the floor.. Door handle is broken on driver side, some kind of home made rack mounted cuby where sun visors mount.. The motor does have allot of miles(276K), but does run GOOD.. Only reason I bought it was for motor, and suspesnion. Can't use interior since my is tan..



Couple more pictures...

 

Is it just me or does it have BFG all terains on the front drivres side, and rugged trails on the passenger? Why would the guy put A/T's on a street truck? Off topic of your post I know, but had to ask

 

He use to take it in the woods. Thats how passenger side got messed up, side swiped a tree. It was worse, door use to be peeled back and fender was pushed back and would bind on door when opening.

 

He used to take it in the WOODS?!! What a waste