I think the challenge is that no one actually buys the performance variant of a truck, and high gas prices a few years back didn't help the idea of a high-performance truck. They're making money hand over fist on the loaded, $50-60k 4X4 Quad cab pickups, so I think they're focusing on how they can churn more of those out.
I like the idea (my first vehicle was a regular cab, short bed, manual Chevy C1500), but know I wouldn't buy one.
I dunno if it's the one you're thinking of, but in the early 60s they had the Custom Sports Special, which was a d100 pickup with a 426 wedge, hd suspension and voided warranty from the factory.
I was going to post something about Dodge being the originator of the whole thing, but i couldn't find a link to back it up since i forgot the name. Thanks for refreshing my memory! 
You can order a hot ram for under $29k, with basic amenities like cloth and power. There is also an R/T trim that adds bigger wheels and brakes as well as hood scoops around $35k.
dj06482 wrote: I think the challenge is that no one actually buys the performance variant of a truck, and high gas prices a few years back didn't help the idea of a high-performance truck. They're making money hand over fist on the loaded, $50-60k 4X4 Quad cab pickups, so I think they're focusing on how they can churn more of those out. I like the idea (my first vehicle was a regular cab, short bed, manual Chevy C1500), but know I wouldn't buy one.
even an extended cab is not bad. They do not add much weight, but make the cab a much better place to spend time
^this. I won't buy a sport truck that isn't useful for hauling stuff that won't fit in the front seat and I don't want in the bed.
If I remember correctly, the Ford Lightning had a bed payload limit of 500 lbs, dropping it straight off my "maybe" list at the time. Sporty or not it still has to be a functional truck.
Vigo wrote:I dunno if it's the one you're thinking of, but in the early 60s they had the Custom Sports Special, which was a d100 pickup with a 426 wedge, hd suspension and voided warranty from the factory.I was going to post something about Dodge being the originator of the whole thing, but i couldn't find a link to back it up since i forgot the name. Thanks for refreshing my memory!
I've heard about them but have never seen one in person. Kind of a unicorn for the time? Would be interesting to see some basic performance numbers on them.
I think very few people over the years ever realized they existed, which means low value, which means its highly unlikely many would have been intentionally saved.
I'd like to see performance trucks come back. I can't afford one, but I'd like to see the choices for those that can.
In reply to kb58:
Wasn't the payload capacity a result of the tire choice on the lightning?
Run_Away wrote: In reply to kb58: Wasn't the payload capacity a result of the tire choice on the lightning?
Yes, the "truck" is the same otherwise.
It seems that the Ram is the most "muscle truck" situation out there right now. I just priced a short bed, 2wd, Hemi, LSD version for 26k. The f150 with the Coyote engine also works, but at minimum seems to be at 28k and all the dealers add a bunch of options that I don't need which puts it well over 30. Plus no real limited slip. For some reason, Chevy won't let you put the 6.2L into the short bed, regular cab. And it's the most expensive of the bunch with the 5.3 anyway. I'd do the Dodge thing if I wanted a truck right now, despite some horror stories I've heard about past variants and my general distaste for Chrysler products.
kb58 wrote: If I remember correctly, the Ford Lightning had a bed payload limit of 500 lbs, dropping it straight off my "maybe" list at the time. Sporty or not it still has to be a functional truck.
Not sure about that bed limit. Towing limit is 5000#. Loaded up with all my crap for a race weekend the thing has barely any butt sag compared to the old F100 it replaced.
Don't know about the 2nd gen Lightning. They still trade for real money.
I prefer the supercharged crew cab Harley f150 over the actual Lightning anyway. Unfortunately they're right up there in value, too.
In reply to Vigo:
And covered in HD badges... 
In reply to singleslammer:
Seriously!
Imagine a Ford Edition Harley. Both odd ideas.
I have the closest you can get from GM right now in my driveway. A 2014 GMC single cab with the 5.3L and towing package. The tow package got me an LSD and lower rear gear (can't recall the number offhand). That truck will get up and scoot and surprises many a car on at the stoplight. Wider and sticker rubber, as opposed to the stock all season BF's, would make it really wake up.
I'd love to lower it. Not quite a tuck, but I'd be happy with something close to the same ride height of the '88-'99 models. The truck sits so high that the rear bumper just under my chest and I'm 5'11". The only reason I haven't is that I bought it to tow and don't want to lose the 9500 lb. tow weighting by lowering it.
If bigger than the 5.3L was offered, I'd have it in the truck. I love driving the truck and a hot rod version would make me giggle like a little kid.
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis:
3.42's.
Boost fixes lack of displacement. 
I would not be surprised if Edelbrock made a "boost" package for your truck, rob_lewis.
singleslammer wrote: In reply to Vigo: And covered in HD badges...
Yeah, that would certainly be my least favorite part. I'd rather have an extended or crew cab Lightning if they'd ever made one. The single cab sport trucks have very limited appeal to me. I only like the crew cab of the SRT10 Ram, to the point i'm willing to give up the 6spd manual to get the rear seat and doors.
In reply to einy:
procharger makes a bolt on for 1500 5.3's adds about 100hp to the wheels
Ranger50 wrote: Boost fixes lack of displacement.
einy wrote: I would not be surprised if Edelbrock made a "boost" package for your truck, rob_lewis.
Oh yeah, Whipple and Edelbrock both make supercharger kits for it. But, they are a little beyond my price range and I'd want to do a bunch of other stuff first like lowering it, better wheels/tires, black bumpers and grille, etc, before going for the power addition.
Plus, it really is workhorse bought for towing. Although while we've been on a break, SWMBO's been driving it to GM so she doesn't have to park in the boonies and her lead foot would enjoy the hell out of it. 
But, it'll be a while before I drop $6k on a supercharger kit. Heck, I could probably stuff a LS6/7 in it for that price!!
-Rob
In reply to rob_lewis:
could always just add happy gas
In reply to rob_lewis:
Armageddon makes a twin turbo kit.... I can't recall if that's in the stock di injectors or not.... but it makes 700 at the wheels plus....
You can always home brew a single kit for not a lot of cash....
Why not just have bought the black out edition truck? That's what I may end up doing if I can't find a 2wd Avalanche that I like.....
Ranger50 wrote: In reply to rob_lewis: Armageddon makes a twin turbo kit.... I can't recall if that's in the stock di injectors or not.... but it makes 700 at the wheels plus.... You can always home brew a single kit for not a lot of cash.... Why not just have bought the black out edition truck? That's what I may end up doing if I can't find a 2wd Avalanche that I like.....
I don't think the blacked out edition was available in 2014 and if so, not on a single cab. It was going to be a utility truck until I had it a while and the modding itch happened. It'll still be a while before I do too much on it.
-Rob
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