The pickup truck segment has always been booming ever since the arrival of the Ford Model T Runabout back in 1925. Being quite synonymous with its workaholic nature owing to the solid towing capability and torquey powertrain, most of these trucks were work trucks. This aura behind the pickup truck changed in the 80s and 90s with the launch of many trucks that focused solely on the performance front, and one of them is the legendary Ford F-150 SVT Lightning.

The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning arrived at the American shore in 1993 as the first generation, however, the second generation moniker became even more successful owing to its modern design, more features, and luxurious cabin. The party piece of this Ford has always been the supercharged V8 engine that helped the truck put some of the era's most competent sports cars to shame. Competing with the likes of GMC Syclone and Chevrolet 454 SS, here are 10 things you need to know before buying the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning.

RELATED: Updating The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Sport Truck For The Modern Era

10 A Supercharged V8 In The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Makes It A Super Fast Truck

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Via Bring A Trailer

The second-generation Ford F-150 SVT Lightning was powered by the 5.4-liter 2-valve Triton SOHC V8 engine equipped with an Eaton M112 supercharger. This made it one of the fastest sports trucks your money could buy and the output of 360 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque was superior to many sportscars of the '90s and 2000s.

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Via: Bring A Trailer

The 0-60 mph came in just 5.2 seconds and the quarter-mile run took 13.8 seconds. Even though the truck weighed a hefty 4,670 lbs, the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning also had excellent in-gear acceleration owing to the supercharger. However, the GMC Syclone was even faster and took just 4.3 seconds to reach 60 mph.

9 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Has Top-Notch Towing Capability

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Via mecum.com

Even though the main intention of buying the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is to set lap times and light drag strips on fire, it was pretty good in terms of towing and hauling cargo. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs and the payload capacity of 800 lbs was decent too.

2000 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
Via: Mecum Auctions

These towing and payload capacities turned out to be superior to both the Chevrolet 454 SS and GMC Syclone. The GMC Syclone had a mediocre towing capacity of just 2,000 lbs. The Chevrolet 454 SS also traded towing and payload capacities for better rubber-burning capability.

RELATED: 15 Reasons They Should Bring Back The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, Pronto

8 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Is Capable Around The Corners Too

Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
Via mecum.com

The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is not just a truck with a humongous supercharged V8 under the hood. It is also pretty capable in corners. Unlike the regular tenth-generation F-150, the SVT Lightning came with changes to the suspension and frame, making it much stiffer.

Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
via performance.ford.com

The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning got lowered by 1" and it also received a slightly revised double wishbone independent suspension for the front end. The stabilizer bar has seen an update, and the rear end also saw 2" of lowering. The bigger 18" alloy wheels came wrapped with the Goodyear Eagle F1 tires made for race tracks.

7 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Isn't A Practical Pickup Truck

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Via: Netcarshow

Though the decent towing and payload capacities and the impressive performance mean that it could also do the pickup truck duties without many issues, one thing it misses out on is space for four adults. It only came in the regular cab form factor and that does affect its versatility considerably.

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Via: Netcarshow

The front-row driver and passenger get 40.8" of headroom and 40.9" of legroom, both of which are pretty good. However, there is no other space for storing any cargo or luggage inside the cabin. The bed isn't the biggest of the lot too. However, there are enough cup holders and bottle holders. The glove box is pretty large too.

6 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Is Rising In Price

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commons.wikipedia.org

The base price tag of the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning in 1999 was $29,355, and it wasn't considered a value-for-money proposition back in the day. Being priced $12,000 over the F-150 XL V8, there wasn't a lot going for it apart from the performance and the sportier looks.

2004 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Cropped
Via mecum.com

However, after more than two decades, the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is highly desirable in the used car market. The second-generation SVT Lightning is currently sold for an average price of $29,104 according to classic.com, and that is an insane price for a 23-year-old truck. But you could still get a higher mileage example for around the $15,000 mark.

RELATED: Ford F-150 Platinum Vs King Ranch: The Differences You Need To Know About

5 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Returns Underwhelming Gas Mileage

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Via: Netcarshow

The 5.4-liter supercharged V8 under the hood mated to a 4-speed torque converter automatic coupled with the massive curb weight means that the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is going to be a gas hog. It also turned out to be one of the least fuel-efficient trucks of the time.

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Via: Netcarshow

The 12 MPG in the city and 15 MPG on the highway means that the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is a terrible daily driver. Combined gas mileage was 13 MPG. With a 24.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, this truck could do 294 miles in the cities with a full tank of gas.

4 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Has Enticing Looks

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Via: Netcarshow

The look of the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is something that many folks still appreciate. Even though the design came from the tenth generation Ford F-150, the small touches like lower height and ground clearance, clear lens taillights, and fender flares make it more sporty looking.

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Via: Netcarshow

The 18" alloy wheels came wrapped with Goodyear tires and the alloy wheel design manages to elevate the design well. It also came in many exterior color palettes, with the red color being quite famous for its presence in the Fast & The Furious movie. The round fog lights and upgraded upper and lower grilles are unique to the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning too.

3 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Isn't An Expensive Car To Maintain

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Via: Netcarshow

Being a Ford and coming with the mechanicals that was present in many other monikers from the stable, maintaining the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning isn't going to be an expensive affair. The cheap interior quality can lead to rattling and the paint peeling is very common among buyers too.

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Via: Netcarshow

Other issues include fuel pump problems, alignment issues due to faulty suspension components, and gas pedal vibration. None of these problems were very expensive to fix too. The 5.4-liter 2-valve V8 is bulletproof and many of the owners in the F-150 forums have mentioned that it could easily last over 200,000 miles with just regular maintenance.

RELATED: The Real Reason Why Hoonigan Is Selling Their 2JZ-Swapped Ford F-150

2 The Braking Performance Of The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Isn't Going To Impress Many

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Via: Netcarshow

One thing that feels very old and not fit for the current time period is the stock braking system of the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning. The front wheels came with ventilated 12.1" rotors and the rear gets ventilated 13.1" rotors. This helps in superior heat dissipation too.

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Via: Netcarshow

However, the braking performance turned out to be mediocre mainly due to the heavy curb weight. The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning is also quite front heavy and many owners have mentioned the alarmingly high nose-dive under hard braking. It also missed out on features like ABS and EBD.

1 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning Came Loaded To The Brim With Features For The Time

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via Ford 

The Ford F-150 SVT Lightning was the most loaded F-150 of the time. In comparison to the lower trims of the tenth-generation F-150, the SVT Lightning came with many interior, exterior, and performance improvement features.

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Via: Netcarshow

The Eaton Detroit rear locking differential, engine super cooling, heavy-duty battery, unique front lower air deflector, and auxiliary transmission cooler were only offered in the SVT Lightning. Interior features such as a Kenwood audio system, 6-CD changer, leather upholstery, powered driver's seat, and premium audio system were onboard too.

Sources: Edmunds, Bring A Trailer, Classic.com, f150online.com