madramper

...June 2007 Gen 1 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Kerry (plum360415
) Spencer! (NLOC #1856)

Kerry's '94 Lightning is a very clean specimen. For the most part it looks fairly stock, but something isn't quite right. Then you notice the big stick protruding from the floor! This bright red L is sporting the second documented 5 speed swap and the first to keep the factory fuel injection! As clean as his install is, many will believe that Kerry has the only FACTORY 5 speed Lightning in existance!




1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?

I worked at a Ford dealer in '93 when they came out and said to myself, I will get one someday. I didn't have the funds then as I was just out of tech school. In June of '02, my 91 F-150 4X4 was getting old and tired, so I started looking for a clean low mile Lightning. I found mine at a muscle car dealer in Mountain Home, AR. It had 35K then, now has 74K. The L was bought new in McAllen,TX so I knew that it had never seen any salty roads. I basically bought it over the phone, just going from the pictures emailed to me. My bud PJ and I drove 9 hours in a WS6 T/A, bought the L, and headed back all in one day. Boy was I beat after I got home!!


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

No, not really. I still have my car I bought in high school for 400 bucks. That was in '92. 15 years later, and a ton of money, it is a '75 Duster that is street legal and runs mid 10's. I have ran open comp. with the NMCA a couple times.



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

Well the best: a TKO-600 5-sp. It is so fun to drive, I have been driving the L for my daily driver for the last 2 months. I have Lightning Force Performance long bars, an Eaton diff, a Summit rear girdle, Bilsteins all the way around, 2" rear drop,Bassani cat-less x-pipe, and Bassani cat-back over the axle. I'm not much for bling, but I thought the clear tail lights looked good.



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

I had the best time at WFC-10 just meeting other L owners. The people on here seem so friendly. I had lots of complements on the finished product with the 5-speed swap. Most of the people that looked at my L, said that it looked factory with the 5-speed and that is what I was shooting for. The guy at the tech line didn't even notice the shifter. He told me "this is just like the one I used to have." I thought that was funny.



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

I'm 33 years old and have worked for AT&T as a fleet mechanic for the last 7 years. I'm a huge NHRA fan( gotta love nitro!!!!) I have gone to the US Nationals for the last 9 years. I also hit St.Louis and Chicago. I try to get to the drags as much as I can with my Duster or the L. I have a 2 1/2 year old son. His name is Camden. He loves riding in the L and the Duster. I also have a 5 month old chocolate Lab named Molly. I come from a family of gear heads. My dad has a 67 Hemi Charger 4-sp (he's owned since '69), and his good friend has a 69 Boss 9. I also like beer, but who doesn't? I like to do a little landscaping around the house.



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 started lurking about August of 04 and joined the club in May of '05. I joined becouse I felt this was a good place to spend my time. I have learned tons of info and made a few friends also.



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

None! Its fine, as long as it doesn't go down again for a week! lol I was lost with out it.




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

plum360415.....My Duster is painted Plum Crazy Purple. It did have a 360, but now it has a INDY 415 small block.


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

I have all the parts for the 5.0 roller cam swap, roller rockers, and Mark 8 fan. I would like to ask santa for a Vortech supercharger this Christmas (Santa are you watching???)
I also would like to get a cowl hood, and the diamond headlights with the diamond marker lights.


10. This is where you link favorite websites, your website, family pictures and add any other comments.

First of all Mike, Black P-38, has helped me so much. Thanks to my bud Shane (local friend and shop buddy) for the late night hours in the shop making the 5-speed happen. Also thanks to Matt, vortechlightnin and the entire family of the NLOC. I'm very honered that I have been choosen for this. I never thought I would have the TOTM. A big Thank You to everyone!!!!

Brian Baskin

Awesome truck, Kerry! Congratulations. Sorry I didn't get a chance to cross paths with you at WFC.

__________________
Black 93, nothing special
395ci, FTVB, FTTC, LFP Bars, MR CAI, 10.5 M/T's
My website | MDSVT - The best revenge is happiness!

giddyup

congrats...and nice truck.

huffentuff95

We have a good choise here for June 07 Gen I of the month. I had the pleasure to see this truck @ ther WFCX. Looking it over and wondering about the 5 speed this guys says Go ahead sit in it , I had to row throw the gears a couple of times to feel how smooth the shifter worked /////short short throws for such a long shifter handle. NICE is all I can say congrats on a JOB well done!!!!

RhinoRacing

Very nice I was also able to check it out at WFC. I love that 5-speed!

Congrats!

__________________

http://www.nloc.net/vbforum/truck-mo...loc-387-a.html
Shawn
NLOC #387
White 94 #2703
462.4hp & 559.3tq
Tuned by SS TwEECer

StruckBy

totally awesome truck and nice guy too.

Kerry definitely know how to complete mods professionally.

Man I can only imagine what a ride in that Duster must feel like!!


Congrats Kerry,well deserved!!

EE

Black P-38

Congrats Kerry!!!
You have one fine Lightning there, a beautiful example of how to make it your own and still uphold the Classic factory look...SUPER SHARP!!!
Love the trucks stance, underhood shot and clean interior, gotta get me a classic Hurst ball like yours!!! You really made the shifter work with the center seat and it's so cool you have NO computer issues!!!
Nice work Kerry, you da MAN!!! You are included in some outstanding company here and that's a huge honor!!!

ROCK ON!!!
Mike

plum360415

Thanks guys, I was very impressed that I was choosen for this. Thanks to all!!! If any one would like a demo ride at L-fest just ask.
Kerry

__________________
Former Gen1 owner..... 1994 #1665 5-sp gen 1 L....
Replacment 97 Cobra #799

jetblackbronco

Congrats Kerry!! great to see the 5-speed gettin recognized!!
cant wait to do the 5 speed swap in my truck.

btw...how well do those long bars work? cuz i def have some traction issues at the track.

__________________
1993 Lightning, Basically Stock, Mildly Fast, Obnoxiously Loud and...AerodynamicallyChallenged

There is a fine line between Hobby, and Mental Illness...

e9tac

Congrats Kerry

NewbRand

Very, sweet lookin ride, Kerry!!!! Congrats!!


Randy

Nazgul

Very clean truck! Congrats! (Nice Duster, too.)

Paul

Scuba-Matt

Congrats Kerry

383svt

Congratulations Kerry!! That 5-speed must be fun as L !!!!

plum360415

Thanks guys!!! This is a real honer!!!!

__________________
Former Gen1 owner..... 1994 #1665 5-sp gen 1 L....
Replacment 97 Cobra #799