A pickup vehicle like a 2003 Ford Lightning is a necessity if you want to transport items to and fro your place of business, conduct errands, or just hook up the tent for a little old-fashioned outdoor adventure. The strong motor of a truck and the vast capacity of the cargo bed is enough to start rolling and are ideal for hauling bulky goods and towing machinery. The Lightning sports several outstanding qualities.
However, very few trucks can match the capabilities and athleticism of the 2003 Ford Lightning. The truck started receiving a variety of updates in 1999. Bilstein mono-tube shocks were designed to improve handling. The model was abandoned in 2004 when demand decreased. During 1999 and 2004, 28,124 2nd-generation Ford Lightnings were produced altogether.
2003 Ford Lightning: Exterior Specs.
| Length | 208 in. |
| Overall Width Without Mirrors | 79.1 in. |
| Height | 70.9 in. |
| Wheel Base | 119.8 in. |
| Seating Capacity | 3 |
| Curb Weight | 4,670 lbs. |
| Tires Type | P295/45R Z tires |
| Tires Size | 18 in. |
2003 Ford Lightning Bumper
A bumper is a framework incorporated into the front and back ends of the truck to reduce damage in the event of a minor accident. Most bumper shields are constructed of plastic or fiberglass, while some are also made of leather and fabric. However, the price of a replacement bumper for a family automobile might range from $100 to $1,000. Costs for restoration and painting may increase.
2003 Ford Lightning Grille
The ford lightning grilles are situated between the headlamps in front of the engine bay. Steel, aluminum, and iron are typical elements used to create truck grilles. You may anticipate paying between $100 and $500 for the majority of truck grill replacements. The lifespan of a grill is typically between 5 and 15 years. However, the length of the warranty claims varies by manufacturer.
2003 Ford Lightning Headlights
Most ford headlights are easily damaged as well as fast in replacement. The price of replacing a headlight varies according to the type of lamp and the vehicle. The average replacement halogen headlamp bulb is $20. Newer models might employ $100 xenon lamps. Standard headlights typically last 5 years or so. However, some substitute bulbs don’t.
Color Options
Many new hues have been included over the ages, including a very dark shade of blue called genuine blue in 2002 and the addition of silver to the palette in 2000. But the next year, a lighter Sonic Blue swiftly took the place of the original blue variety. 2003 likewise saw the introduction of the Dark Shadow Grey hue, together with Sonic Blue.
2003 Ford Lightning: Interior Specs.
| Front Head Room | 40.8 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 63.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 40.9 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 61 in. |
2003 Ford Lightning Bed Cover
It enables your truck to run more chores than previously, which is another unnoticed advantage. You can customize the appearance of your bed cover because they are available in a wide variety of styles and protective coatings. Aluminum, vinyl, and polycarbonate are frequently used finishing materials.
Even some of the bed covers are retractable. A pickup truck bed cover can be purchased for between $200 and $1000. Soft Tonneau covers are the least expensive bed liner covers that are worthwhile. Above all, they are easy to install and maintain for a long time.
2003 Ford Lightning Floor Mats
The strongest and longest-lasting fabric for floor security mats is rubber. Rubber mats are quite well-liked since they are relatively inexpensive and have a variety of exquisite patterns and motifs on their surfaces. These factors led to the adoption of latex floor mats in floor lightning in 2003.
The mat’s fabric and colors can be customized, though. In addition to rubber, you also utilize TPE (thermoplastic elastomers). These feature a rubber-like texture and good rigidity and are recyclable.
2003 Ford Lightning: Engine Specs.
| Base Engine Type | Gas |
| Base Engine Size | 5.4 L |
| Cylinders | V8 |
| Horsepower | 380 hp @ 4,750 rpm |
| Torque | 450 lb. -ft @ 3,250 rpm |
| Valves | 16 |
| Drive Type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
2003 Ford Lightning Bolt Pattern
The 6×135 bolt pattern on the Ford F150 Lightning is the same as on all previous iterations of the Ford Lightning. There is a tonne of alternatives to choose from when purchasing new wheels for your Ford pickup because this is among the most common 6-lug bolt types. Ford’s lug patterns typically vary across models. However, the most popular ones are 5×4.25 and 5×4.5.
2003 Ford Lightning Coilovers
Unlike other ford pickups, the ford lightning does not come with leveling kits but coilovers. The whole front wheels of the Lightning are raised by two inches (54 mm) as a result. The coilovers are intended for the ICE-powered F-150, much like the separators, yet they perfectly accommodate the Lightning.
2003 Ford F150 ABS light on
Several dashboard hazard lights, including a persistent ABS light, will glow if the ABS pump and system in your Ford F150 malfunction. An issue with different parts inside or connected to the anti-lock restraints may be indicated by an ABS flashing light that illuminates and remains illuminated. As regular braking is unaffected by the ABS light, you can continue to operate the vehicle while it is illuminated. However, a professional technician’s inspection of your truck is required.
2003 Ford F150: Anti Theft Reset
The anti-theft system on your 2003 Ford F-150 can be easily reset because it’s an older model. Just carry out these actions.
- Put the ignition key into the engine with the remote.
- Flip the key 8 times during the first 10 seconds, starting in the “off” state and finishing in the “on” state.
- When the locks snap after the 9th cycle, click and keep any key on your controller for 30 seconds.
- The reset was successful when the locks immediately clicked again after holding the push button for up to 30 seconds.
2003 Ford Lightning: Transmission
A constrained axle and a 4-speed Ford 4R100 turbo automatic transmission power the 2003 Ford Lightning’s back wheels. With this engine, the Lighting can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in around 6 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 140 miles per hour. However, over the years, even your transmission can fail out, and this can be due to a lot of reasons.
Improper use of transmission control modules and irregular maintenance can lead to a decrease in the performance of your transmission. Some of the early symptoms that can be spotted are:
- Inability to Shift
- Slow Acceleration
- Poor Fuel Economy
- Gear Slippage
You can opt for either rebuilding or replacing the transmission modules overall. You can make significant short-term financial savings by rebuilding your gearbox while avoiding adding auto repayments to your quarterly spending plan. Therefore, upgrading a gearbox not only spares you cash but also on your future vehicle because it has a better trade-in value. The typical cost of reconstruction can reach about $2500.
2003 Ford Lightning: Towing Capacity
The F-150 provides a smooth ride and a lot of torque on both smooth roads and rugged trails. Although the steering is a little jittery, this truck may be operated with no issues for lengthy interstate drives. The 2003 Ford Lightning series’ maximum towing capacity, however, is between 7000 and 10,000 lbs.
Given its incredible range, it offers excellent towing pull and performance. However, due to poor engine care, a change in the towing capability might not occur for a longer time. To avoid costly damages, your truck needs to be properly serviced on a regular basis. Above all, it will extend the vehicle’s lifespan and improve its performance potential.
2003 Ford Lightning: Fuel Economy
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (required) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 25 gal. |
| Max Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. |
| Max Payload Capacity | 1,400 lbs. |
2003 Ford Lightning Oil Filter
As the fuel in your petrol engine maintains it fresh over the duration, the oil filter aids in removing impurities that may build up over time. Even the 2003 Ford Lightning has oil filters, which are visibly connected to a turbocharger outlet. The vehicle utilizes 6 gallons of oil with a filter, which was a whole new improvement in Lightning’s fuel efficiency.
2003 Ford Lightning Fuel Pump
The Lightning comes with 2 fuel pumps which is a very important component in maintaining the fuel efficiency of the truck. The backup element is a major component in why trucks frequently use two pumps. The second gasoline pump can help keep the vehicle moving if the first one should break down or suffer damage.
In case of breakage or sudden damage, the fuel can easily be repaired and even replaced. You can repair the fuel pump by yourself by following the ford guidelines. Otherwise, the help of a professional technician would be more viable in case of replacements of the fuel pump. These replacements for the Lightning can cost under $1000.
2003 Ford Lightning: Drive Shaft
The Lightning had an aluminum driveshaft, a conventional 4.10 gear ratio, and a fast and easy steering box. Bilstein uni absorbers were designed to improve handling. There is no standard lifespan for drive shafts that you may utilize due to the broad variety that they come in. For drive shafts in passenger vehicles, you can get a ballpark figure of roughly 75,000 miles, though.
2003 Ford Lightning SVT
A 2003 Ford Lightning model is the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT). These trucks are refined and capable of high performance. They also have good road holding and a smooth ride. But the Ford SVT didn’t last long—it debuted in 2003 and was dropped just after the 2004 production season.
Every year this vehicle was in production, Ford tried to improve it to increase sales. Simply put, most folks don’t want a pickup that is modified and designed for speed. Consequently, after producing 124 Ford Lightning SVTs, production was halted.
2003 Ford Lightning: Reliability
| FEATURES | RATINGS |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5 |
| Performance | 4.6 |
| Exterior styling | 4.5 |
| Interior design | 4.3 |
| Value for the money | 4.7 |
| Reliability | 4.7 |
2003 Ford Lightning: Value
Lightning is a wise investment because it is the truck that sells the most worldwide. Given its incredibly high torque ratio, it is worth a single dime despite being expensive for a normal cab, half-ton pickup. Lightning 2003 has an MSRP of about $33,310.
FAQs on 2003 Ford Lightning
Where is the 2003 Ford Lightning map sensor located?
On the inlet manifold, either close to or within the exhaust manifold itself, the MAP sensor is often found for the 2003 Ford Lightning.
What is the 2003 Ford Lightning bed size?
The bed size of the 2003 Ford lightning is 78.8 inches.
What are the components of the 2003 ford lightning body kit?
An assortment of exterior automotive changes known as a body kit often includes bumpers, rims, blowers, and occasionally side mirrors.
Where is the 2003 ford F150 Voltage Regulator located?
The voltage regulator is found underneath the Alternator.
Conclusion
When the 2003 Ford Lightning truck was introduced, it was rightfully hailed as the speediest pickup truck. On a road course, the truck reached a speed of almost 236 km/h (147 mph), setting a new record. This pickup, which is very different from the typical model, was the creative team’s idea at Ford Trucks, and it stands out from the competition.
