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Ranger Thunderbolt




wythors

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The only Thunderbolt I have ever seen was parked next to a construction site, filthy dirty and completely loaded with crap from the site so heavily that it was sitting on the rear suspension stops.
 

WNY964x4

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alot of different ones
i saw a thunderbolt the other day getting on the thruway , did a double take when i saw it , was missing the tailgate badge
 

Mac

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kris97ranger

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i think itd be awsome if they made a 4wd version. same with the lightning
________
SweetD1ana
 
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v8nick

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So are the wheels on the Lightning Bolt one off pieces or are they available somewhere for a ranger?
 

Anger

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^^^ that looks just like the one i saw
SLP was contracted by Ford to make the 'Thunderbolt'. They also made the 'Firehawk' for Pontiac.
The truck didn't sell well & was discontinued ($$$). Parts were sold to the aftermarket (Roush).

Hillbankmotorsports.com would be where to find Thunderbolt parts cheap! :woot:
 

DRIFTGOD187

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i parked next to one today, its the first time i seen one :icon_thumby:

 

Beef52751

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I found 2002 thunderbolt today for $5755 at a dealership about 20 miles north of me, think about trading my 99 for it.
Beef
 

Fx4wannabe01

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Essencially, the STX replaced the Thunderbolt package in '04 or possibly '05. There are great differences between the two. Namely the STX is strictly a visual package. Underneeth it's 2wd XLT..bone stock just like any other ranger under the sheet metal. The Thunderbolt however, had 3 difference trim packages: Level1 was visual(bumper). Level2 was visual with handling(bumper, scoop, 2" lowering kit). Level3 was visual, handling, and go-fast parts(bumper, scoop, skirts, drop kit, big sway bars, intake, magnaflow exhaust). Optional on all models were a roll pan w/ dual or single exhaust outlets, rear wing(two different kinds....one being a 'ricer' style wing, the other being a nascar inspired spoiler), exhaust(single or dual outlet), turnsignal mirrors, carbon fiber or satin silver interior pieces, probably some other stuff I can't remember. lol. They were avaliable in reg cab or ex cab, only 2wd. Only offered in the 2002 and 2003 model years.

That's what I remember from my manual I got back in '02.
 

snomaker321

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saw one today while out truck hunting, only it wasnt for sale. Drove by it parked on the side of the road and i was like "hey, that says thunderbolt on it!" pretty neat
 

Ranger Kip

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Yup, someone liven around my area owns one, its his daily driver.
 

1mean02hd

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So are the wheels on the Lightning Bolt one off pieces or are they available somewhere for a ranger?
If you read the build on the Lightning Bolt, it says that SVT basically swapped the entire drivetrain out of the Lightning into the Ranger chassis. Of course there were definitely mods made to get it to fit correctly. Also SVT grafted the spindles, brakes, etc. into the Ranger from the Lightning as well as narrowing the 9.75" rear from it to fit the Ranger. The wheels up front I believe were narrowed if I remember correctly and the rears widened to 11".
 

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