The National Lightning Owners Club Inc - View Single Post - October 2007 Gen 1 TOTM - Congratulations to Brad "REDSVT150" Lang! (NLOC #1291)

madramper · 09-30-2007, 08:50 PM

October 2007 Gen 1 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Brad (REDSVT150) Lang ! (NLOC #1291)

Brad's truck shows what a little imagination and a desire to be a bit unique can do to a Gen 1 Lightning! His '93 is just plain gorgeous! Along with the obviously stunning paint scheme, his attention to detail on the other aspects of his truck are great as well. All of this comes together to make one awesome package!

1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?

Well, I had known about them but was a Mustang guy. I was in the LAANG(La. Air National Guard) and there was a guy that drove a RED one. I would see it every drill weekend in the parking lot. A few years later my now brother in law bought a Black 93' In 2001 our unit was activated and I was sent overseas to Turkey. Upon my return I bought a RED Gen 2 Lightning while shopping for a Cobra. I would always see my BIL in his 93' and told him that if he ever sold it I wanted to buy it from him. A couple of times we joked about it but never did it. After I heavily modded the Gen 2, I came up with the bright idea that I needed a tow rig. This was the perfect opportunity to get the Gen 1 Lightning I wanted. With the help of Bobby (Blue Oval Forever) I found a Black 93' in the NLOC classifieds. I arranged to meet halfway and Bobby came along as my inspector since I had no experience or knowledge of the Gen 1's. After Bobby crawled around and we went for a spin, needless to say I bought it. It took everything to convince my wife to let me get one. So the promise was made to keep the Gen 1 stock and use only as a tow rig because she saw all the money go into the Gen 2. So of course we aren’t out the parking lot and Bobby is talking cam swaps and what not. Now the stable was complete, I had 2 generations of Lightnings.

2. Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?

My first vehicle was a 1983 Olds Cutlass. It was stolen twice. I wound up making more on the car than I had paid. I also had a couple of Mustangs. I tried making a 90* turn @ 65mph. Just to let you know they can’t do that. I wound up blowing out the 2 drivers side tires and was in somebody’s front lawn. Its amazing what you will do when you are young and stupid.

3. What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?

I haven't done much "GO" mostly "SHOW". The only engine mod is Ed's (StruckBy) cables…which are awesome by the way. About a year ago I knew I wanted to paint the truck. I originally was just going to go with BLACK. I went to L-fest last year and saw SIXPIPES and his friend’s truck that they painted in the Black/Green 2 tone. I was now hooked on doing a 2 tone in the same scheme but with a different color. I used one of their pics as a model and had Shaun (Sportruk) do some Photoshop magic. I narrowed it down to 3 and had the membership choose in a poll. They chose the black with a orange/copper color. Now I needed to find a color to match the Photoshop. After many hours I chose Sunset Pearlescent. I bought some Torq Thrust wheels and had the centers painted black. I knew I wanted to lower it so I bought some shackles and Eibach springs. I could see a difference in the stance but I wanted more. That is when I decided to do the Belltech 3/4 drop. I also decided to change the wheels to an original idea I had for the stockers. I was able to find a set in the NLOC classifieds already finished.

Engine: Ed's cables

Interior: Center Seat
Stereo System (Alpine and Rockford Fosgate)

Exterior: Fresh 2 tone paint
Hand Painted pin stripes
Cervini Ram Air Hood
Shaved Tailgate with handle relocated
Tonneau Cover
Belltech 3/4 drop w/ Nitro Drop Shocks
Energy Suspension Bushings
Painted Stock Wheels

4. Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?

When Bobby ad I went to get the truck, we drove up in my Gen 2 Lightning. If I bought the truck then Bobby was going to drive the Gen 2 and follow me. Well on the way back we were cruisin’ along and all of a sudden my cell phone rings. It’s Bobby behind me in the Gen 2 and my first thought is something is wrong. The first words I hear after saying hello is "YEEE HAWWWW M/F". I am like what the hell is wrong with Bobby, is he smoking something. He then proceeds to tell me the first thing I need to buy is shocks because my truck is bouncing down the road and it looks like I am riding on a horse. So the first new mods were a set of stock shocks.

5. Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.

I grew up in Metairie which is a suburb of New Orleans. I spent 12yrs in the LAANG as an F-15 Crew Chief and also in Aerospace Repair. I married my wife Doreen in 1993 and have 2 awesome children. The oldest is our daughter Jordan (10) and the youngest in our son Brendan (6). I like to fish but don’t do it enough. Now that Brendan is getting a little older and I inherited my grandfather’s boat I think we will get to spend more time doing that. I have been with Motiva Ent. for the past 8 yrs. They are owned by Shell Oil. I work at one of their refineries as a Process Operator here in Louisiana. I love my commute of only 11 miles compared to what I used to drive. My only other hobbies are my trucks.

6. How long have you been a user of the NLOC.net, when did you become an NLOC member, and why did you choose to become a member of NLOC?

I joined the NLOC site as a user in 02 after I bought my truck. I went to a couple of local GTG and finally joined as a member in Sept of 2003. It was a great place to hang out and get good info and feedback so I wanted to support that. The T shirt and sticker were nice also.

7. What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?

I really think the website is great. I know alot of people had a problem with the new classifieds. I'll admit I like the old one also but you get used to the new one.

8. Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?

My screen name was easy. I had a 150 it was an SVT model and was the color RED. I have thought about changing it since I now own and Gen 1 and a Gen 2.

9. What are your plans for future changes to your truck?

I have some plans for the truck. As stated earlier I don’t have many go fast goodies. I have a number of items waiting to be installed in the truck:
E-fan kit by Ed(StruckBy).
Stall Converter.
LFP Valve body.
Billet Optima Battery hold down.
Window Tint
Tranny Pan
Rear End Cover

10. Whom would you like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together?

I would like to thank my wife Doreen for putting up with my hobbies. I would also like to send a big thanks to Bobby (Blue Oval Forever) for all his hard work in helping me get the truck this far. The LOLA gang for their support when things aren't going so well. A thanks to David "Joey" LeBlanc for doing a great job of painting the truck and helping me find a color. I would also like to thank the NLOC, my extended family for your input and helpful information.

Congratulations to Brad Lang and his 1993 Two-tone Ford Lightning for Gen 1 Truck of the Month, October 2007 !

09-30-2007, 08:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
madramper Supporting Vendor Paid Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Alloway, NJ Posts: 11,493 NLOC member #: 937 View this user's gallery iTrader: 43 / 100%	October 2007 Gen 1 TOTM - Congratulations to Brad "REDSVT150" Lang! (NLOC #1291) October 2007 Gen 1 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Brad (REDSVT150) Lang ! (NLOC #1291) Brad's truck shows what a little imagination and a desire to be a bit unique can do to a Gen 1 Lightning! His '93 is just plain gorgeous! Along with the obviously stunning paint scheme, his attention to detail on the other aspects of his truck are great as well. All of this comes together to make one awesome package! *1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?* Well, I had known about them but was a Mustang guy. I was in the LAANG(La. Air National Guard) and there was a guy that drove a RED one. I would see it every drill weekend in the parking lot. A few years later my now brother in law bought a Black 93' In 2001 our unit was activated and I was sent overseas to Turkey. Upon my return I bought a RED Gen 2 Lightning while shopping for a Cobra. I would always see my BIL in his 93' and told him that if he ever sold it I wanted to buy it from him. A couple of times we joked about it but never did it. After I heavily modded the Gen 2, I came up with the bright idea that I needed a tow rig. This was the perfect opportunity to get the Gen 1 Lightning I wanted. With the help of Bobby (Blue Oval Forever) I found a Black 93' in the NLOC classifieds. I arranged to meet halfway and Bobby came along as my inspector since I had no experience or knowledge of the Gen 1's. After Bobby crawled around and we went for a spin, needless to say I bought it. It took everything to convince my wife to let me get one. So the promise was made to keep the Gen 1 stock and use only as a tow rig because she saw all the money go into the Gen 2. So of course we aren’t out the parking lot and Bobby is talking cam swaps and what not. Now the stable was complete, I had 2 generations of Lightnings. *2. Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?* My first vehicle was a 1983 Olds Cutlass. It was stolen twice. I wound up making more on the car than I had paid. I also had a couple of Mustangs. I tried making a 90* turn @ 65mph. Just to let you know they can’t do that. I wound up blowing out the 2 drivers side tires and was in somebody’s front lawn. Its amazing what you will do when you are young and stupid. *3. What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?* I haven't done much "GO" mostly "SHOW". The only engine mod is Ed's (StruckBy) cables…which are awesome by the way. About a year ago I knew I wanted to paint the truck. I originally was just going to go with BLACK. I went to L-fest last year and saw SIXPIPES and his friend’s truck that they painted in the Black/Green 2 tone. I was now hooked on doing a 2 tone in the same scheme but with a different color. I used one of their pics as a model and had Shaun (Sportruk) do some Photoshop magic. I narrowed it down to 3 and had the membership choose in a poll. They chose the black with a orange/copper color. Now I needed to find a color to match the Photoshop. After many hours I chose Sunset Pearlescent. I bought some Torq Thrust wheels and had the centers painted black. I knew I wanted to lower it so I bought some shackles and Eibach springs. I could see a difference in the stance but I wanted more. That is when I decided to do the Belltech 3/4 drop. I also decided to change the wheels to an original idea I had for the stockers. I was able to find a set in the NLOC classifieds already finished. Engine: Ed's cables Interior: Center Seat Stereo System (Alpine and Rockford Fosgate) Exterior: Fresh 2 tone paint Hand Painted pin stripes Cervini Ram Air Hood Shaved Tailgate with handle relocated Tonneau Cover Belltech 3/4 drop w/ Nitro Drop Shocks Energy Suspension Bushings Painted Stock Wheels *4. Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?* When Bobby ad I went to get the truck, we drove up in my Gen 2 Lightning. If I bought the truck then Bobby was going to drive the Gen 2 and follow me. Well on the way back we were cruisin’ along and all of a sudden my cell phone rings. It’s Bobby behind me in the Gen 2 and my first thought is something is wrong. The first words I hear after saying hello is "YEEE HAWWWW M/F". I am like what the hell is wrong with Bobby, is he smoking something. He then proceeds to tell me the first thing I need to buy is shocks because my truck is bouncing down the road and it looks like I am riding on a horse. So the first new mods were a set of stock shocks. *5. Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.* I grew up in Metairie which is a suburb of New Orleans. I spent 12yrs in the LAANG as an F-15 Crew Chief and also in Aerospace Repair. I married my wife Doreen in 1993 and have 2 awesome children. The oldest is our daughter Jordan (10) and the youngest in our son Brendan (6). I like to fish but don’t do it enough. Now that Brendan is getting a little older and I inherited my grandfather’s boat I think we will get to spend more time doing that. I have been with Motiva Ent. for the past 8 yrs. They are owned by Shell Oil. I work at one of their refineries as a Process Operator here in Louisiana. I love my commute of only 11 miles compared to what I used to drive. My only other hobbies are my trucks. 6. How long have you been a user of the NLOC.net, when did you become an NLOC member, and why did you choose to become a member of NLOC? I joined the NLOC site as a user in 02 after I bought my truck. I went to a couple of local GTG and finally joined as a member in Sept of 2003. It was a great place to hang out and get good info and feedback so I wanted to support that. The T shirt and sticker were nice also. *7. What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?* I really think the website is great. I know alot of people had a problem with the new classifieds. I'll admit I like the old one also but you get used to the new one. *8. Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?* My screen name was easy. I had a 150 it was an SVT model and was the color RED. I have thought about changing it since I now own and Gen 1 and a Gen 2. *9. What are your plans for future changes to your truck?* I have some plans for the truck. As stated earlier I don’t have many go fast goodies. I have a number of items waiting to be installed in the truck: E-fan kit by Ed(StruckBy). Stall Converter. LFP Valve body. Billet Optima Battery hold down. Window Tint Tranny Pan Rear End Cover *10. Whom would you like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together?* I would like to thank my wife Doreen for putting up with my hobbies. I would also like to send a big thanks to Bobby (Blue Oval Forever) for all his hard work in helping me get the truck this far. The LOLA gang for their support when things aren't going so well. A thanks to David "Joey" LeBlanc for doing a great job of painting the truck and helping me find a color. I would also like to thank the NLOC, my extended family for your input and helpful information. Congratulations to Brad Lang and his 1993 Two-tone Ford Lightning for Gen 1 Truck of the Month, October 2007 ! Last edited by madramper; 10-04-2007 at 01:07 PM..