July 2007 Gen 2 TOTM - Congratulations to Jon "SLVRLTNG" Ross ! (NLOC #714)

Skritch · 07-01-2007, 05:37 AM

July 2007 Gen 2 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Jon (SLVRLTNG) Ross ! (NLOC #714)

The truck selected for this months’ TOTM is a 2000 model living in Washington State. Owned by a long time member of NLOC this truck just grabs ya !! It sits right, looks right, and has the “little” details attended to. It’ll make you turn your head when it rumbles by. Read on to learn more about Jon, a little “oops” that he had, and his Lightning !

1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?

A good friend of mine from my high school “car club” days in southern California sent me a picture of his latest “ride”, a brand new 2001 red Lightning. I had never even heard of this truck. That day was pretty much the beginning of my new “disease”. I went to look at new ones but the dealers around here were adding 6-8K to the sticker. I decided I had better not test drive one or I would have really had a problem. A few months later I was killing a little time and stopped at another Ford dealership to see what they had. I saw my 2000 silver truck in the “previously owned” lot and checked it out. The salesman asked if I wanted to take it for a spin, I said sure and that was that….

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

I have owned quite a variety of vehicles, ranging from a 1960 El Camino to a 1973 Corvette over the years since high school. Seems I was pretty much a GM guy. Next to my Harley I would say that the Lightning is my favorite vehicle. My bike has definitely taken a back seat to the truck over the last 4.5 years.

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

For performance mods I have pretty much all the standard bolt ons.

Performance:

Ported Eaton
XCAL II
Fluidyne heat exchanger
Chickenears “Cool Aid” CAI
JLP 5# pulley
JLP Thunderpipe
Metco 100mm idler pulley setup
FRPP 90mm MAF
Accufab TB
NGK TR6's
Mobil 1 10w/30
Oil separator
Boost by-pass mod
170 deg. thermostat
Flex-a-lite 270 e-fan
Cobra water pump
Factory Tech valve body
Deep trans pan and filter
Metco driveshaft loop
MadEnterprise coil pack screws
Mac catback
LFP 58" traction bars
Hoosier 28x10x16's on AR Bajas

Appearance:

1-3" drop
So Cal Speedshop adjustable end links
Chrome '00 18" FRPP rims
Snugtop hard tonneau
'03 Heritage Edition headlights
’01 3rd brake light
Clear corners
Wet Okole seat covers
Chikenears Full Underhood Billet pieces
Autometer Phantom boost, oil pressure and trans temperature gauges
DynoJet Wide Band Commander on steering column
Clarion camouflage subwoofer

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

As a matter of fact I have an embarrassing story about my truck and me. One day a few years back, I spent a good portion of a day cleaning and detailing my truck. I figured this would be a good time for some new pictures of the truck. I was going to go over to a local park and snap some pics of the truck on the grass. On the way there I passed a new housing development under construction with a slough nearby (a slough is a marshy or reedy pool, pond, inlet, backwater, or the like.) There was new grass, and some trees there also so I figured this would be a good backdrop. I drove thru the gate that was most likely meant to be locked, and down the gravel road until I spotted a suitable spot. I took a few pictures and then decided to drive up onto the grass. Living in Washington State I should have known better. The ground can be very soft and rain saturated, especially in a construction site that used to be nothing but trees. Anyways as I drove off the dirt and onto the hill of new greenery my truck began to sink. Right there I figured that this was not going well so naturally I stepped on the gas to remove myself from the situation. I managed to limp off the grass but there was a rock drainage culvert that I had to pass before it was back on the dirt road. As things were going down hill (literally) it got really ugly. At this point I was in total panic. As I was working on a solution my S/O (significant other) called my cell phone. She sensed the panic in my voice so I told her what had happened. She was on her way home so she came to pick me up. I started the hike up to the street to meet her. She stopped at the gate and wouldn’t drive down the road to meet me. She said something about getting stuck in a situation like mine, or something. At any rate it was getting late in the day and I didn’t want to have to leave my truck abandoned. We went home so I could call a tow truck. Now I had to explain my stupidity to the truck driver as he took me down the street. About $85 later and a good story for the truck driver to tell his buddies over the weekend I was back on the road. Damage wasn’t as bad as it looked, a few scratches on the body kit and one pretty banged up rim…. Here are a couple of pictures for a good laugh and remember, it’s not a 4 wheeler.

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

I am a machinist and have been in this trade for 29 years. My S/O and I have lived together for close to 12 years. I have 2 step kids and a grandson. My stepson and his wife are at Fort Hood, Texas. He’s in the Army…………and my stepdaughter is a fashion designer for Baby Phat clothing in So Cal. We both ride Harleys, although not too much the last few years.

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 when I was looking for a truck. I had never even been on a forum of any kind before that. My buddy in Southern California was a registered user here and told me to check it out. I knew absolutely no one with a Lightning, and I saw that the Portland group was having a get together at Portland International Raceway. I drove 3 hours to meet these guys, what a sight to see a group of (mostly Silver) Lightnings parked together.

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

I think it’s pretty easy to get around just as it is. It’s much better looking and more organized than most all the other boards I visit. Unfortunately I spend way too much time on here. I would have to say that I am an NLOCaholic and really see no cure in the future.

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

Not very creative, SLVR= silver and LTNG= Lightning

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

I recently acquired an Expedition console; the bucket seat mod is on the way

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

I would like to thank ALL the members of our WashLO group. I have made a great group of friends in them. I’d also like to thank the Lightning community for all the knowledge I have gained in almost 6 years here.

Congratulations to Jon Ross and his 2000 silver Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, July 2007!

cacric · 07-01-2007, 08:00 AM

Congrats Jon, well deserved.

RhinoRacing · 07-01-2007, 09:10 AM

Congrats Nice Ride!

e9tac · 07-01-2007, 01:08 PM

Congrats Jon...well deserved!

I love the whine of your truck!!!!

KCBOLT · 07-01-2007, 04:12 PM

Very Nice! Congrats!

Scuba-Matt · 07-01-2007, 07:32 PM

Congrats Jon.

Great looking Lightning!!!

plum360415 · 07-01-2007, 11:47 PM

Congrats. Nice clean L.
Kerry

WashTruBlu · 07-02-2007, 07:01 AM

way to go Jon

SVT150TIM · 07-02-2007, 06:01 PM

Congrats Jon,

Nice clean L...well except maybe for that one time...lol
Great write up Jon,
Tim

SLVRLTNG · 07-02-2007, 09:45 PM

Thanks all, my truck is in with some pretty good company, it's an honor

huffentuff95 · 07-02-2007, 10:29 PM

Still tramatized need help:

Those pictures of that beauty of a truck buried in that Rip Rap put me in shock. Glad it survived ... still can't shake that picture out of my head. Sorry man freaked out here

Anyhoo congrats on TOTM for July, Rightly So !! Hey had my Gen 1 buried on my home construction site back in 2002 so I been there , No big rocks tho!!!

Ron's Bolt · 07-03-2007, 07:50 AM

Congrats!

Frank5L · 07-03-2007, 10:42 AM

Congrats JR! I remember when you buried the truck.

EZ SPEED · 07-03-2007, 11:59 AM

Congrats !!!

five0drw · 07-03-2007, 01:49 PM

great 4 wheel story.. congrats.

07-01-2007, 05:37 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%	July 2007 Gen 2 TOTM - Congratulations to Jon "SLVRLTNG" Ross ! (NLOC #714) July 2007 Gen 2 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Jon (SLVRLTNG) Ross ! (NLOC #714) The truck selected for this months’ TOTM is a 2000 model living in Washington State. Owned by a long time member of NLOC this truck just grabs ya !! It sits right, looks right, and has the “little” details attended to. It’ll make you turn your head when it rumbles by. Read on to learn more about Jon, a little “oops” that he had, and his Lightning ! *1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?* A good friend of mine from my high school “car club” days in southern California sent me a picture of his latest “ride”, a brand new 2001 red Lightning. I had never even heard of this truck. That day was pretty much the beginning of my new “disease”. I went to look at new ones but the dealers around here were adding 6-8K to the sticker. I decided I had better not test drive one or I would have really had a problem. A few months later I was killing a little time and stopped at another Ford dealership to see what they had. I saw my 2000 silver truck in the “previously owned” lot and checked it out. The salesman asked if I wanted to take it for a spin, I said sure and that was that…. *2. Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?* I have owned quite a variety of vehicles, ranging from a 1960 El Camino to a 1973 Corvette over the years since high school. Seems I was pretty much a GM guy. Next to my Harley I would say that the Lightning is my favorite vehicle. My bike has definitely taken a back seat to the truck over the last 4.5 years. *3. What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?* For performance mods I have pretty much all the standard bolt ons. Performance: Ported Eaton XCAL II Fluidyne heat exchanger Chickenears “Cool Aid” CAI JLP 5# pulley JLP Thunderpipe Metco 100mm idler pulley setup FRPP 90mm MAF Accufab TB NGK TR6's Mobil 1 10w/30 Oil separator Boost by-pass mod 170 deg. thermostat Flex-a-lite 270 e-fan Cobra water pump Factory Tech valve body Deep trans pan and filter Metco driveshaft loop MadEnterprise coil pack screws Mac catback LFP 58" traction bars Hoosier 28x10x16's on AR Bajas Appearance: 1-3" drop So Cal Speedshop adjustable end links Chrome '00 18" FRPP rims Snugtop hard tonneau '03 Heritage Edition headlights ’01 3rd brake light Clear corners Wet Okole seat covers Chikenears Full Underhood Billet pieces Autometer Phantom boost, oil pressure and trans temperature gauges DynoJet Wide Band Commander on steering column Clarion camouflage subwoofer *4. Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?* As a matter of fact I have an embarrassing story about my truck and me. One day a few years back, I spent a good portion of a day cleaning and detailing my truck. I figured this would be a good time for some new pictures of the truck. I was going to go over to a local park and snap some pics of the truck on the grass. On the way there I passed a new housing development under construction with a slough nearby (a slough is a marshy or reedy pool, pond, inlet, backwater, or the like.) There was new grass, and some trees there also so I figured this would be a good backdrop. I drove thru the gate that was most likely meant to be locked, and down the gravel road until I spotted a suitable spot. I took a few pictures and then decided to drive up onto the grass. Living in Washington State I should have known better. The ground can be very soft and rain saturated, especially in a construction site that used to be nothing but trees. Anyways as I drove off the dirt and onto the hill of new greenery my truck began to sink. Right there I figured that this was not going well so naturally I stepped on the gas to remove myself from the situation. I managed to limp off the grass but there was a rock drainage culvert that I had to pass before it was back on the dirt road. As things were going down hill (literally) it got really ugly. At this point I was in total panic. As I was working on a solution my S/O (significant other) called my cell phone. She sensed the panic in my voice so I told her what had happened. She was on her way home so she came to pick me up. I started the hike up to the street to meet her. She stopped at the gate and wouldn’t drive down the road to meet me. She said something about getting stuck in a situation like mine, or something. At any rate it was getting late in the day and I didn’t want to have to leave my truck abandoned. We went home so I could call a tow truck. Now I had to explain my stupidity to the truck driver as he took me down the street. About $85 later and a good story for the truck driver to tell his buddies over the weekend I was back on the road. Damage wasn’t as bad as it looked, a few scratches on the body kit and one pretty banged up rim…. Here are a couple of pictures for a good laugh and remember, it’s not a 4 wheeler. *5. Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.* I am a machinist and have been in this trade for 29 years. My S/O and I have lived together for close to 12 years. I have 2 step kids and a grandson. My stepson and his wife are at Fort Hood, Texas. He’s in the Army…………and my stepdaughter is a fashion designer for Baby Phat clothing in So Cal. We both ride Harleys, although not too much the last few years. 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 when I was looking for a truck. I had never even been on a forum of any kind before that. My buddy in Southern California was a registered user here and told me to check it out. I knew absolutely no one with a Lightning, and I saw that the Portland group was having a get together at Portland International Raceway. I drove 3 hours to meet these guys, what a sight to see a group of (mostly Silver) Lightnings parked together. *7. What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?* I think it’s pretty easy to get around just as it is. It’s much better looking and more organized than most all the other boards I visit. Unfortunately I spend way too much time on here. I would have to say that I am an NLOCaholic and really see no cure in the future. *8. Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?* Not very creative, SLVR= silver and LTNG= Lightning *9. What are your plans for future changes to your truck?* I recently acquired an Expedition console; the bucket seat mod is on the way *10. Whom would you like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together?* I would like to thank ALL the members of our WashLO group. I have made a great group of friends in them. I’d also like to thank the Lightning community for all the knowledge I have gained in almost 6 years here. Congratulations to Jon Ross and his 2000 silver Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, July 2007!

07-01-2007, 01:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
e9tac Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,455 View this user's gallery iTrader: 4 / 100%	Congrats Jon...well deserved! I love the whine of your truck!!!! __________________ 95 \| Black #957 03 \| DSG #4018

07-01-2007, 11:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
plum360415 Mopar and Fords!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Canton, IL Posts: 1,993 View this user's gallery iTrader: 5 / 100%	Congrats. Nice clean L. Kerry __________________ Former Gen1 owner..... 1994 #1665 5-sp gen 1 L.... Replacment 97 Cobra #799

07-03-2007, 11:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
EZ SPEED Boost Kills !!!!!!! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oxford, Alabama Posts: 2,640 View this user's gallery iTrader: 24 / 100%	Congrats !!! __________________ SOLD - 2003 Lightning # 1180 SOLD - 1993 Lightning # 5173 2005 Pontiac GTO 2004 Mustang Mach1 2004 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 CrewCab Diesel

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07-01-2007, 08:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
cacric slightly off Paid Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: gold bar, wa Posts: 1,221 NLOC member #: 2285 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Congrats Jon, well deserved.

07-01-2007, 09:10 AM	#3 (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!

07-01-2007, 04:12 PM	#5 (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%	Very Nice! Congrats!

07-01-2007, 07:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Scuba-Matt Boosted by Whipple Paid Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South East Florida Posts: 4,149 NLOC member #: 2117 View this user's gallery iTrader: 15 / 100%	Congrats Jon. Great looking Lightning!!!

07-02-2007, 07:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
WashTruBlu Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: right here Posts: 1,339 View this user's gallery iTrader: 1 / 100%	way to go Jon

07-02-2007, 06:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
SVT150TIM Team Procharger Paid Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Riverside, CA USA Posts: 995 NLOC member #: 124 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Congrats Jon, Nice clean L...well except maybe for that one time...lol Great write up Jon, Tim

07-02-2007, 09:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
SLVRLTNG Moderator Paid Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Redmond, Wa Posts: 6,197 NLOC member #: 714 View this user's gallery iTrader: 6 / 100%	Thanks all, my truck is in with some pretty good company, it's an honor

07-02-2007, 10:29 PM	#11 (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%	Still tramatized need help: Those pictures of that beauty of a truck buried in that Rip Rap put me in shock. Glad it survived ... still can't shake that picture out of my head. Sorry man freaked out here Anyhoo congrats on TOTM for July, Rightly So !! Hey had my Gen 1 buried on my home construction site back in 2002 so I been there , No big rocks tho!!!

07-03-2007, 07:50 AM	#12 (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!

07-03-2007, 10:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
Frank5L 1.37 60' on Drag Radials Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Central AR Posts: 10,909 View this user's gallery iTrader: 22 / 100%	Congrats JR! I remember when you buried the truck.

07-03-2007, 01:49 PM	#15 (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%	great 4 wheel story.. congrats.