454 SS vs. Lightning
The Chevy 454 SS and the Ford Lightning were high-powered performance trucks produced by American automakers General Motors and Ford respectively. Each was based on an existing pickup truck and featured numerous performance upgrades. The 454 SS and Lightning were sold in limited numbers, and today are prized by truck enthusiasts and collectors.
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History
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Chevy's 454 SS was introduced in 1990 and was discontinued in 1993. The 454 SS was based on the Chevrolet C/K truck's fourth generation "GMT400" model, which had been in production since 1988. The Ford Lightning was developed to compete directly with the 454 SS. It was produced between 1993 and 1995, and again from 1999 to 2004. Based on the ninth and 10th generations of the full size F150 pickup, the Lightning was developed by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT), which also produced the Mustang-based SVT Cobra sports car.
Power
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The Chevy 454 SS drew its name from a 454 cubic inch (7.4 liter) V8 engine. This engine initially produced 230 horsepower and 385 lb.ft. of torque, but by the end of production the 454 SS was rated at 255 horsepower and 405 lb.ft. of torque. The Ford Lightning was available with a different engine for each of its iterations. Between 1993 and 1995 the Lightning featured a 5.8 liter Windsor V8 with 240 horsepower and 340 lb.ft. of torque. When the Lightning returned in 1999 it was powered by a supercharged version of Ford's 5.4 liter Triton V8. This engine produced between 360 and 380 horsepower and 440 to 450 lb.ft. of torque.
Other Features
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Beyond their powerful engines, the 454 SS and Lightning differed from the standard pickup trucks they were based on in several ways. The 454 SS used a special three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission and later a four-speed automatic. The Lightning featured a more rigid suspension than the regular F150. The body of the Lightning was lowered for better handling. It also added special wheels and tires, along with a heavy-duty automatic transmission and dual exhaust.
Appearance
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The 454 SS and Lightning can be identified by noting the small differences from the standard Chevy C/K and Ford F150 trucks. In the case of the 454 SS, special "454 SS' decals on the sides of the bed are the easiest point of identification. A larger front bumper assembly that incorporated fog lights and red Chevrolet emblems also set the 454 SS apart. The Ford Lightning used "Lightning" badging, along with a unique front air dam. The Lightning was also available in a limited number of colors, some of which were offered only briefly and can be used to determine a particular truck's model year.
Reviews
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The first generation Ford Lightning was intended to compete directly with the 454 SS. The Lightning was priced slightly below the 454 SS but featured a smaller engine with less output. Fuel economy on the Lightning was slightly improved. This, along with better handling and interior comfort, gave the Lightning an advantage in some side-by-side reviews at the time. The second generation Lightning did not have a performance truck counterpart at Chevy. Today used examples of both the Lightning and 454 SS can be found in a range of prices and conditions, some heavily modified with aftermarket accessories.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Nathan
