Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

[Spencedaddy]

Hey guys, i'm Spencer, or Spencedaddy!

i've been following this site for a while, and just wanted to ask you guys some questions a little more in depth.

These SyTys's....they're animals, but how are they holding up with mileage? are big boy repairs necessary at around 100k?

the reason i'm asking is that i'm looking for a trade for one of these fine vehicles, or i would be selling my truck if that could not be the case.i'm not selling or asking to buy in this forum, like the rules state, just sort of seeing what your opinions are.

i was saving this part for near last since a lot of guys have brand bias, but i drive a 93 Lightning.here's a pic.so you know its not some rusty riced out pickup.

mods are intake, timing bump, weight reduction, wheels and tires, side exit exhaust, and a custom performance valvebody made by a guy named Paul up in NJ, guy only builds Lightning stuff, he's great.and going to be installed next month is a powerdyne bd-11a supercharger kit, the setup will run around 9psi with a moates quarterhorse tuner and some other goodies

so i guess the real question here is, is anybody wanting to upgrade to a full size pickup?
and better yet, is there anyone in the nashville area that would like to meetup so i can check out one of these SyTys...i've never seen one in person, and i've always wanted to...

thanks for your time guys, even though i bet i'll get some flaming for being a Ford!

 

[psycho1]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

I had a 93 lightning it was a nice truck I kept mine stock. Just wanted to say nice truck but I am a newb so can't answer your question.

 

[syclone rider]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

Im definitlly not a ford fan but thats the best looking lighting in that body stlye ive seen and you want be disappointted if you bought one of these trucks.

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

Sharp Lightning! As far as how they hold up....it depends on how it's been treated, like any vehicle. A low mileage one that's been beat on will have more go wrong sooner than a high mileage truck that's driven "normally". As far as under-body, brakes, axles, and stuff like that, its all typical S-series. The only real difference is the engine and some internal transmission parts. The S-trucks in general are very durable, albeit rust prone.

 

[Spencedaddy]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

theyre great trucks! its gotta be my favorite thing i've ever driven, period...

but for some reason SyTy's are like cocaine to me, i cant stop looking at them, and when i bought this truck i wanted one, but there were none for sale locally...

i havent taken this truck to the track yet, mayyybe next week, but i think it should run a 9.0 1/8th mile....

well, i know on these trucks around 100k the bushings start goin out, motor mounts, and differentials and such..but i have a FULL front urethane bushing kit along with urethane motor mounts coming.along with a differential rebuild, and the shift kit, (apparently) is actually lengthening the trans life due to quicker, but not too brutal shifts

and thanks syclonerider, i appreciate it...i try to keep it decently clean, the roll pan does a great job and the paint is almost 7 months old...it shines really well

 

[syclone rider]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

Man if you love that truck get a sy and youll be trying to stick your little root in the tailpipe you will love it so much.

 

[Spencedaddy]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

thats what i've been thinking, BUT, i have a weird issue on how things drive, and how the interior feels, my truck is very spacious, and i love the way it just....well, drives, and feels when you just sit in it, thats why i want to just see and feel a Sy or Ty before i get too much into this subject.

the truck is my first automotive love, so it would be hard to deal with another vehicle, but this could be better

im liking the idea of a Typhoon better, just because im 6'1" and i dunno how well id fit into a Sy...but again, well see when i can get into one!

 

[gkrcr882]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

If interior quality is a big issue (squeaks, rattles, etc), might as well skip the Typhoons. Almost all of them have interior rattles, and the famous rear window squeak. For comfort, you have the choice between the '92 and its "sport" seats or the '93 and it's "fatman" seats. Syclones can get cramped for the tall individual since the seats do not recline at all, only move fore and aft.

 

[qbnkiller]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

That body style is quite nice man!

 

[Spencedaddy]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

squeaks and stuff are fine, the way an interior feels is more important to me...just the..i dunno, way it feels to drive, steering wheel feel, shifter feel, gauge look...stuff like that

Lightnings have no recline either man, well, they do, but only if you're 4'3" haha

what are these sport and fatman seats?

thanks qbnkiller! i (for some reason) hate the 2nd gen roundbody lightnings, maybe thats why i like beating them so much...i can handle them when they are stock or intaked...but once they start modding, i dont do so well lol

 

[ziembic]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

My truck has a few miles on it. My dad bought it from the dealer. Following normal maintenance (religious oil changes) he got the first 185,000 miles before it needed a motor, trans, and turbo within 10,000 miles. I know have the truck and it has a 100K on the Jasper rebuild. I have modified it so, I don't think the motor has many miles left in it. Good luck, I like the lightning, but I like the newer ones better.

 

[craig jones]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

what are these sport and fatman seats?

The fatman seats are more comfy and sport seats are more of a bucket same as sycone but in leather . The 1992 is the nicest IMO they are sporty and have typhoon embroidered in the headrest . The fatman seat may have a bit more comfort but not enough to settle for a '93 . SORRY '93 guys .

 

[powercat6]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

Sport seats

Fat mans

 

[Josh Young]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

If I understood you right, you were talking about a shift kit? A shift kit is a bad idea in these trucks, I'm sure others will chime in on this as well. As for how they hold up, I believe a fellow member said it best: "THE RELIABILITY OF A SY/TY CAN BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO YOUR RIGHT FOOT." Like everyone is saying it's all in how the truck has been treated. If possible have someone close to you look at the truck in question. There are many knowledgable individuals on this board, I'm sure someone in your neck of the woods wood look at it with you. Good luck on whatever you decide.:tup:

 

[Spencedaddy]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

alright, things are lookin good then, i thought there might be something special that i need to look for at that mileage...

shift kits may be bad for SyTys...but man, they are kickin butt in E40D's...a couple of guys have been having some real issues with their trans' and these VB's have fixed them.some say they hurt some say they help!

what about the AWD setups? how are they holding up? are they clutch or gear based? and most of all, can they be rebuilt at home?

and i guess i should post in the classifieds as well about a possible trade.just in case someone feels the need to do so.although im kinda doubting it.

 

[Jimmy]

Re: Questions For SyTy owners, for a guy wanting to upgrade

alright, things are lookin good then, i thought there might be something special that i need to look for at that mileage...

shift kits may be bad for SyTys...but man, they are kickin butt in E40D's...a couple of guys have been having some real issues with their trans' and these VB's have fixed them.some say they hurt some say they help!

what about the AWD setups? how are they holding up? are they clutch or gear based? and most of all, can they be rebuilt at home?

and i guess i should post in the classifieds as well about a possible trade.just in case someone feels the need to do so.although im kinda doubting it.

The only weak link in the AWD system is the front propshaft.The stock ones tend to explode and wreak havoc on eveything they slam into when they are flopping around.

Here is everything you need to know (BTW nice Ford,nobody has slammed it yet,and it looks good.)

Find a nice rust free low mile truck.Funk Ty's,get a Sy.Lighter,faster,more street cred.Ty's are almost minivans..Expect to spend 12-14k for a nice example. When you locate said truck,see if there is someone local from here that can check it out with/for you.There are real good guys here nationwide that know their shit and can help you out.That's just what we do.

When you buy a truck,you need a datalogger,a HD front propshaft,a good fuel pump.AFRP.and patience.

Oh and a deep tranny pan and big trans cooler.

BTW the trannys are made of glass.Budget a complete hardcore tranny rebuild into your purchase.It has to be done.

If you can find a nice not rode hard truck,and if yoyu don't launch it from every light,keep an eye on how it's performing,make all the reliability upgrades that it needs,and can deal with driving some stupid truck that nobody knows anything aboot or cares aboot,you should be good to go.