March 2007 Gen 2 TOTM - Congratulations to Marc "FreddiezL04" Abell ! (NLOC #1951)

Skritch · 03-01-2007, 01:35 AM

March 2007 Gen 2 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Marc "FreddiezL04" Abell ! (NLOC #1951)

The truck selected for March TOTM is a stunning, nicely detailed 2004 model hailing from Florida ! Marc’s is the last model year for the 2nd generation Lightning and one of the relatively few that hasn’t seen the drag strip, autocross, or road course yet ! Marc was a Chevy guy until he experienced the Lightning. Read on to find out about Marc’s “better idea” !

Marc with girlfriend Pam

1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?

I have been a diehard Chevy guy since I can remember. I have always owned Chevys and ordered a 1992 Chevrolet Silverado SS from the factory with every option available. It served me well for 11 years. At 170,000 miles, I decided it was time for a new ride and I looked at buying a new Silverado SS. I could not bring myself to buy one because I could not stand the looks, the poor performance, and the best price I could find was $45K. A friend of mine had bought a Lightning and I loved the looks, but when he took me for a ride the first time, I was hooked! This die-hard Chevy guy just jumped the fence. I purchased a brand new 2004 Black Lightning and have never regretted it. This January marked my 3rd year with my Lightning and using it as my daily driver, I have racked up 49,000 miles already.

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

Like I said above, I was a diehard Chevy guy. I have had a few, my first was a ‘64 Bel Air at 16 years old, but my favorites were a 1967 SS/RS 350 Camaro that I completed a frame off restoration on and a 1974 Corvette Stingray that I still have. The vette became a garage queen because I didn’t want to drive it in bad weather and now that I have the Lightning, I have pretty much lost interest in anything else.

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

Performance:

Steigemeyer stage 3 ported supercharger, ported and polished
Ported and polished upper plenum and throttle body
6LB lower pulley
Reichard Racing 2.90" upper pulley
Metco auxiliary tensioner
Metco billet idler pulleys
C&L polished elbow
MAFia
NGK TR 6 spark plugs
LFP Electric Fan
Predator tuner
JLP cold air intake
Bassani BX Cat Back
Metco lower traction bars
Hotchkis front and rear lowering springs
So Cal shock extenders
QA1 front and rear shocks
FTVB / 4X4 trans pan
JLP Line lock
Greedy oil separator/catch can

Appearance:

Gaylord Speedstur tonneau
Bedrug
Chromed ‘04 Ford Lightning wheels
Lotek triple gauge pod
Autometer Lunar boost, fuel pressure and trans/engine temp gauges
Steering wheel pod
Wide Band Commander
Street Scene mirrors
Billet antenna
Billet pedals
Grillcraft upper and lower grills
Clear corners
Bermuda black taillights
Expel clear bra

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

I was pretty proud of the truck when I first got it and had a hard time keeping my foot out of it the first few weeks. The street in front of my girlfriend’s house was regularly striped with my L’s footprint as were a lot of the other local streets. One night, after I had the truck around a month or so, we were coming back to her house after dinner and I decided to burn the tires at a deserted (or so I thought) intersection. I laid down the rubber and smoke all the way through the intersection and then backed off, not too radical I thought. A few seconds later, I saw the headlights and then the blue lights coming up quickly behind me and I got my first ticket in the L. The officer was a young guy and admitted to me that it was a cool truck and he could understand me having a little fun with it, but that he observed me from a school parking lot staked out next to his supervisor and that he was told that he WAS going to write that guy up. No problem; cost me $81, but it did make me a little more careful since!

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

I’m 51 years old and a pure motorhead. I have two wonderful daughters and a girlfriend that keep me busy. I am a maintenance supervisor for the local power company and most of my spare time is spent working on, modding, or polishing the L. I love caravanning to Lightning events with the local FLOC (Florida Lightning Owners Club) members, seeing other Lightnings, and meeting the owners. It is interesting to put faces with the screen names. I am also a huge NASCAR fan and attend all of the Florida NASCAR events. I have a motorhome that I take to the Daytona races in February and July and the Homestead race in November. I have to admit, my 1974 Corvette has been sorely neglected since I bought the Lightning.

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?

My buddy Danny introduced me to Lightnings and also introduced me to NLOC, F150 Online and SVT Performance. I lurked on all of them since January 2003, but NLOC was where I landed the most. I joined NLOC in July ‘05 and like the format here the best. I have gained the most information here also, as it has proved invaluable in modding and maintaining my L.

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

I can’t imagine, it is great as it is. I am usually a little apprehensive selling parts on the net because I have had a bad experience or two, although not on NLOC. I think the trader rating is a great help in this aspect and the people on the boards seem to watch out for each other. The other thing I really appreciate is the group buy forum. I purchased my Gaylord Speedstur tonneau cover and my Street Scene mirrors through NLOC group buys and saved quite a bit of money. Just keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll be happy.

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

It makes no sense like so many usernames I guess. Freddie is an old nickname and I just added the L and the 04 because it was easy. It was probably not the best name to choose, because when I attend events, people have a hard time putting my screen name together with my real name. At our next event in Old Towne, we plan to have name tags printed up, I guess that tells you something.

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

I think I am almost done (is that possible???). Right now I am polishing a spare blower/plenum/throttle body, which is a bigger job than I thought it would be. Once that is done and installed who knows? My truck is a daily driver, I don’t road race and don’t plan on doing a lot of drag racing. I just like having a really stout street machine and want to be able to drive it every day and this truck has been great for that purpose.

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

Well, Danny of course for introducing me to the world of Lightnings and also my other friends, which are too numerous to mention, that have helped with the mods so far. I guess most of all I would have to thank the members of NLOC that provide an endless amount of info and entertainment on these great trucks.

Congratulations to Marc Abell and his 2004 black Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, March 2007!

KCBOLT · 03-01-2007, 07:42 AM

Congrats! Very Very nice L.

dexlightning · 03-01-2007, 08:24 AM

Congrats on truck of the month, you and your truck are well deserving.

five0drw · 03-01-2007, 09:38 AM

good looking nice clean set up. congrats

firemanlightnin · 03-01-2007, 10:05 AM

Absolutely gorgeous L man!!!! Congrats on TOTM you deserve it!

Ronnie · 03-01-2007, 03:24 PM

Very nice truck!!

Blue Oval Forever · 03-01-2007, 05:59 PM

Cingrats !!!!!!!!!!!!

Very Clean Truck

GOTSVT? · 03-01-2007, 06:21 PM

Gorgeous truck, CONGRATS!!!

rob327 · 03-01-2007, 09:10 PM

Congrats Marc,the truck is looking great.

Dave London · 03-01-2007, 09:31 PM

Congrats !!

RhinoRacing · 03-01-2007, 09:40 PM

Congrats Nice Ride!

boosted635 · 03-01-2007, 10:01 PM

Congrats Marc.

Lightningbob02 · 03-02-2007, 04:38 AM

Congratulation Marc, That is one sharp truck.
Bob

huffentuff95 · 03-02-2007, 07:11 AM

SWEET RIDE::: now go get the Bacharach meter out and get yourself some efficiency # on your stack emissions.. I like the chrome wheels!!

Ron's Bolt · 03-02-2007, 08:25 AM

Congrats Marc! You have one awesome lightning there buddy!

03-01-2007, 01:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Skritch Moderator Paid Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The socialist kingdom of Washington State Posts: 4,507 NLOC member #: 1461 View this user's gallery iTrader: 6 / 100%	March 2007 Gen 2 TOTM - Congratulations to Marc "FreddiezL04" Abell ! (NLOC #1951) March 2007 Gen 2 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Marc "FreddiezL04" Abell ! (NLOC #1951) The truck selected for March TOTM is a stunning, nicely detailed 2004 model hailing from Florida ! Marc’s is the last model year for the 2nd generation Lightning and one of the relatively few that hasn’t seen the drag strip, autocross, or road course yet ! Marc was a Chevy guy until he experienced the Lightning. Read on to find out about Marc’s “better idea” ! Marc with girlfriend Pam *1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?* I have been a diehard Chevy guy since I can remember. I have always owned Chevys and ordered a 1992 Chevrolet Silverado SS from the factory with every option available. It served me well for 11 years. At 170,000 miles, I decided it was time for a new ride and I looked at buying a new Silverado SS. I could not bring myself to buy one because I could not stand the looks, the poor performance, and the best price I could find was $45K. A friend of mine had bought a Lightning and I loved the looks, but when he took me for a ride the first time, I was hooked! This die-hard Chevy guy just jumped the fence. I purchased a brand new 2004 Black Lightning and have never regretted it. This January marked my 3rd year with my Lightning and using it as my daily driver, I have racked up 49,000 miles already. *2. Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?* Like I said above, I was a diehard Chevy guy. I have had a few, my first was a ‘64 Bel Air at 16 years old, but my favorites were a 1967 SS/RS 350 Camaro that I completed a frame off restoration on and a 1974 Corvette Stingray that I still have. The vette became a garage queen because I didn’t want to drive it in bad weather and now that I have the Lightning, I have pretty much lost interest in anything else. *3. What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?* Performance: Steigemeyer stage 3 ported supercharger, ported and polished Ported and polished upper plenum and throttle body 6LB lower pulley Reichard Racing 2.90" upper pulley Metco auxiliary tensioner Metco billet idler pulleys C&L polished elbow MAFia NGK TR 6 spark plugs LFP Electric Fan Predator tuner JLP cold air intake Bassani BX Cat Back Metco lower traction bars Hotchkis front and rear lowering springs So Cal shock extenders QA1 front and rear shocks FTVB / 4X4 trans pan JLP Line lock Greedy oil separator/catch can Appearance: Gaylord Speedstur tonneau Bedrug Chromed ‘04 Ford Lightning wheels Lotek triple gauge pod Autometer Lunar boost, fuel pressure and trans/engine temp gauges Steering wheel pod Wide Band Commander Street Scene mirrors Billet antenna Billet pedals Grillcraft upper and lower grills Clear corners Bermuda black taillights Expel clear bra *4. Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?* I was pretty proud of the truck when I first got it and had a hard time keeping my foot out of it the first few weeks. The street in front of my girlfriend’s house was regularly striped with my L’s footprint as were a lot of the other local streets. One night, after I had the truck around a month or so, we were coming back to her house after dinner and I decided to burn the tires at a deserted (or so I thought) intersection. I laid down the rubber and smoke all the way through the intersection and then backed off, not too radical I thought. A few seconds later, I saw the headlights and then the blue lights coming up quickly behind me and I got my first ticket in the L. The officer was a young guy and admitted to me that it was a cool truck and he could understand me having a little fun with it, but that he observed me from a school parking lot staked out next to his supervisor and that he was told that he WAS going to write that guy up. No problem; cost me $81, but it did make me a little more careful since! *5. Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.* I’m 51 years old and a pure motorhead. I have two wonderful daughters and a girlfriend that keep me busy. I am a maintenance supervisor for the local power company and most of my spare time is spent working on, modding, or polishing the L. I love caravanning to Lightning events with the local FLOC (Florida Lightning Owners Club) members, seeing other Lightnings, and meeting the owners. It is interesting to put faces with the screen names. I am also a huge NASCAR fan and attend all of the Florida NASCAR events. I have a motorhome that I take to the Daytona races in February and July and the Homestead race in November. I have to admit, my 1974 Corvette has been sorely neglected since I bought the Lightning. 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? My buddy Danny introduced me to Lightnings and also introduced me to NLOC, F150 Online and SVT Performance. I lurked on all of them since January 2003, but NLOC was where I landed the most. I joined NLOC in July ‘05 and like the format here the best. I have gained the most information here also, as it has proved invaluable in modding and maintaining my L. *7. What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?* I can’t imagine, it is great as it is. I am usually a little apprehensive selling parts on the net because I have had a bad experience or two, although not on NLOC. I think the trader rating is a great help in this aspect and the people on the boards seem to watch out for each other. The other thing I really appreciate is the group buy forum. I purchased my Gaylord Speedstur tonneau cover and my Street Scene mirrors through NLOC group buys and saved quite a bit of money. Just keep doing what you’re doing and I’ll be happy. *8. Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?* It makes no sense like so many usernames I guess. Freddie is an old nickname and I just added the L and the 04 because it was easy. It was probably not the best name to choose, because when I attend events, people have a hard time putting my screen name together with my real name. At our next event in Old Towne, we plan to have name tags printed up, I guess that tells you something. *9. What are your plans for future changes to your truck?* I think I am almost done (is that possible???). Right now I am polishing a spare blower/plenum/throttle body, which is a bigger job than I thought it would be. Once that is done and installed who knows? My truck is a daily driver, I don’t road race and don’t plan on doing a lot of drag racing. I just like having a really stout street machine and want to be able to drive it every day and this truck has been great for that purpose. *10. Whom would you like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together?* Well, Danny of course for introducing me to the world of Lightnings and also my other friends, which are too numerous to mention, that have helped with the mods so far. I guess most of all I would have to thank the members of NLOC that provide an endless amount of info and entertainment on these great trucks. Congratulations to Marc Abell and his 2004 black Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, March 2007!

03-01-2007, 06:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
GOTSVT? #2831 PANTYDROPPER RACING Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Massachusetts-POTHOLE KINGDOM Posts: 614 View this user's gallery iTrader: 4 / 100%	Gorgeous truck, CONGRATS!!! __________________ 2003 sonic blue Lightning.. project pantydropper 1992 Mustang Notchback 2003 sonic blue Cobra SOLD 2002 pitch black SVT Focus SOLD 2002 Kenne Bell Mustang GT SOLD

03-02-2007, 04:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
Lightningbob02 2.3 K.B. 443rwhp/545rwtrq Paid Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Waynesboro, PA. 17268 Posts: 774 NLOC member #: 2273 View this user's gallery iTrader: 2 / 100%	Congratulation Congratulation Marc, That is one sharp truck. Bob

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03-01-2007, 07:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
KCBOLT 405/489 @ 12.76 1/4 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Shawnee, Ks Posts: 2,771 View this user's gallery iTrader: 12 / 100%	Congrats! Very Very nice L.

03-01-2007, 08:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
dexlightning Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 197 View this user's gallery iTrader: 11 / 100%	Congrats on truck of the month, you and your truck are well deserving.

03-01-2007, 09:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
five0drw Moderator Paid Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,410 NLOC member #: 354 View this user's gallery iTrader: 3 / 100%	good looking nice clean set up. congrats

03-01-2007, 10:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
firemanlightnin FFC Pres. Paid Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 443 NLOC member #: 2177 View this user's gallery iTrader: 7 / 100%	Absolutely gorgeous L man!!!! Congrats on TOTM you deserve it!

03-01-2007, 03:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ronnie Will Work For Truck Parts Paid Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 6,470 NLOC member #: 1661 View this user's gallery iTrader: 12 / 100%	Very nice truck!!

03-01-2007, 05:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Blue Oval Forever Gen 1 Salvage Yard Owner Paid Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Gretna,Louisiana U.S. Posts: 12,304 NLOC member #: 500 View this user's gallery iTrader: 50 / 100%	Cingrats !!!!!!!!!!!! Very Clean Truck

03-01-2007, 09:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
rob327 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 672 View this user's gallery iTrader: 13 / 100%	Congrats Marc,the truck is looking great.

03-01-2007, 09:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dave London Team JLP Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Browns Mills N.J. Posts: 702 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Congrats !!

03-01-2007, 09:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
RhinoRacing Team Vortech Paid Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Raymore MO Posts: 2,588 NLOC member #: 387 View this user's gallery iTrader: 7 / 100%	Congrats Nice Ride!

03-01-2007, 10:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
boosted635 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SE Florida Posts: 2,123 View this user's gallery iTrader: 7 / 100%	Congrats Marc.

03-02-2007, 07:11 AM	#14 (permalink)
huffentuff95 S. STOCK Tuned by Tweecer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rosenhayn N.J. Posts: 6,640 View this user's gallery iTrader: 5 / 100%	SWEET RIDE::: now go get the Bacharach meter out and get yourself some efficiency # on your stack emissions.. I like the chrome wheels!!

03-02-2007, 08:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
Ron's Bolt AKA ThunderBolt Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Spring Texas Posts: 1,603 View this user's gallery iTrader: 4 / 100%	Congrats Marc! You have one awesome lightning there buddy!