Skritch

February 2008 Gen 1 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Donald (five0drw) Whitaker ! (NLOC #354)

This month the TOTM comes from Missouri. A 1995 model in black, Donald’s truck is well known within the Gen 1 NLOC community as well as Donald himself being well known by the many attendees of the Lightning Fests. He organizes the True Street class at L Fest. Always more than ready to lend a hand whenever needed his truck reflects his “can do” attitude. A very high quality truck with massive attention to detail, his blue flamed truck manages to gobble up 1320 feet in around 12 seconds. Donald is a veteran of Desert Storm 1 and after 8 years with the U.S. Army he left that behind to fight the daily temptations of Russell Stover Candies working as a Desktop Admin. In his “spare” time he can be found either tinkering with his truck or helping out with a Pro Mod team. Have a read about Donald and his blue flamed Gen 1 !





1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?

My current truck is really my 2nd Lightning, the first was a 1994 red Gen 1 that pulled the duty of being my tow rig. After getting my ‘83 Mustang painted in 1998 I wanted a tow rig that would match my car. So when I came across a black ‘95 it was a perfect fit. So I traded in the red one for the black one. Not only was it my tow rig it was my everyday ride. It has been all over from Florida to Kentucky to North Carolina and back to Missouri. Truck currently sits at 107k.



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

I used to be an owner of several GM cars and even had a Mazda B2600 pickup. I took off all the letters on the word Mazda except the “DA” and called it the “DA” truck. One morning I got a call from one of my friends that needed to move a boat so I figured I had a truck I could go down and pick it up. I hooked it up, got the boat moved and after I got it to the house, my “DA” truck was spitting so much transmission fluid out I had to take it back to the shop for a repair. I was told that truck was not for that type of work. From then on if you must have a truck make sure it is big enough to do the job. The “L” sure fits that bill.





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

First, was to tint the windows, then came stereo, from there came chrome wheels, to top it off a bed cover was installed all for looks. Soon after I blew up my Mustang I found out a lot of the parts from the Mustang would fit the truck. That’s when the speed parts came into focus, everything from cold air to traction bars. Started off with a cam swap, 1:72 rockers, even had a rear gear change. Still wanting more, on went the P/dyne blower. When that was not enough, a little NOS did the trick. Truck went best of 12.2. Still wanting to stay up with the Jones’ found a good deal on an intercooled R trim Vortech and 60lb injectors (rhino racing thanks for the install help). Best with the single power adder was 12.3 after several sets of head gaskets (thanks Steve for the TwEECer set up making blown head gaskets a thing of the past). A complete engine swap took place in the winter of 2007 (Thanks’ Mark Sheldon). And to add to the good looks of the truck a killer flame paint job (thanks Abram Strahm). Looking forward to 2008. I have high hopes that the 357 and AFR 185 heads along with a good tune gives me that 11 second ET slip (thanks Justin). I still like to drive it around with ac blowing and the stereo blaring, I guess some things never change.





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

I found out while I was getting my wheels chromed that BFG all terrains on a set of black AREs really help the truck get around in the snow and ice but it gives the truck a farm truck look but ‘hay’ you do what you got to do. Later that year Russell Stovers Candies, sent me to North Carolina for some computer training. I thought it would be fun to take the truck so off I went. On my 3rd stop for gas, while in the mountains of North Carolina I locked my keys in the truck, and no one wanted to help (they could really tell I was from out of town). I had to buy a pair of pliers from the gas station attendant, as he would not let me use the ones he had open on the counter. I used the pliers to take off my antenna so I could push the un-lock button, thank goodness my window was cracked. Got the door un-locked and I was on my way, it was an intense 20 minutes ! The trip did have a high point. While out sightseeing I got a chance to take the truck for a 5 lap spin around the then North Carolina Speedway at 85mph + it was way kool.



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

I was not always a Ford man. Started out with a ‘74 Ventura, from there came a ‘74 Grand Prix, then a ‘78 Trans Am. I could not stand getting beat so I tried an ‘82 Mustang. From then Fords have been on the top of my list ! I have owned several Mustangs, 5 to be exact, I still own the one I bought in ’86. Also have had 2 F-150s and currently own a ‘02 H/D. When not working on my own cars or trucks, I crew on a Pro Mod team as the team jack-of-all-trades. I do every thing from nitrous set up to clutch repair. I am also a big football fan even though my team did not fair so well the game is still fun to watch. My number #1 sport is NHRA, IHRA, any thing wheeled, I can’t get enough. I do not have any brothers nor am I married but I do have 2 sisters with enough nieces and nephews to keep me busy. They all live here in the city and my mom lives in Kentucky. I try to keep in touch with them at least once a week. ‘08 looks like it could be really busy. But I would not want it any other way.





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 have been a member since 2000. I saw a bunch of guys with trucks like mine while I was at a WFC in Illinois. Think it was 1999. A few guys there asked me what I thought of the new Lightning. I told them I thought that they were ok but I like mine better. They told me of a web page strictly for Lightings and when I got home I checked it out and I was hooked. I use the site pretty much anytime I have questions or just want to see what’s new. The guy’s on the board are very helpful. I also use NHTOC for all of my mods on my tow rig.



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

Maybe a different set up for classified.



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

It was really easy. Most of my Mustangs were 5.0’s and then I used my initials DRW and came up with five0drw... lots of people call me five0draw. But it’s all good, it makes me laugh when I hear someone say it.



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

I would like a better fuel system, a sumped tank, and one big A1000 pump. Maybe toss in a 4 inch VFN bolt on cowl hood and add a set of retro Gen 2 wheels.



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

Donations: RSC (Russell Stovers Candies, INC) for letting me work overtime, its only money. Support from NLOC, lots of guys there don’t think I have enough space to put all their names down, you know who you are thanks a ton. More so the MKLO guys. And a lot of local shop’s here in town from exhaust to tires and metal fab work (thanks Terry).



Congratulations to Donald Whitaker and his 1995 Black Ford Lightning for Gen 1 Truck of the Month, February 2008 !

Scuba-Matt

Congrats Don. Great looking Lightning

hotrodn93l

congrats, dont you love that black

__________________

April 2008 truck of the monthhttp://www.nloc.net/vbforum/truck-mo...loc-663-a.html

REDSVT150

Cograts On TOTM Donald.

Brad

__________________
2002:
541RWHP/586RWTQ
11.45@122.79
Something even more wicked this way is coming

KCBOLT

Congrats Donald you have one of the nicest Gen 1's around.

bgstew6

Hey Hey congrats on TOTM DOn!!!

Vern

TOTALLY deserved! Congrats Donald - you the man!

I do believe you're keeping up with the Jones' pretty well!

TinysRed94L

Congratulations sharp truck

five0drw

thanks all/ i am honered

cultfreak69

Congrats Donald!!!

for those of you that have never seen this truck in person you owe it to yourself to go to L fest to see this truck in person. I have been fortunate enough to have seen it twice. and even seeing it the second time you will find yourself just walking around it looking and looking staring into one of thee coolest paintjobs ever on a Gen1. well at least I did!
and Donald is a really really cool guy.

BWSlightning

congrats...nice truck~!

Fade 2 Black

Congrats and thanks for all the Lfest help!

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1.63---7.06@99.08---11.05@123.07 <> Rebuilt/Tuned by ME

e9tac

Congrats Donald and well deserved .

cargo

congrats mate awesome looking truck,blue flames on the black really sets it off

WickedSVT

Congrats Donald!! Well deserved.

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2002 Lightning Silver #2315 of 4726 TOTALED RIP
69 Coronet Superbee (project car)
2005 Mustang GT (wifes)
13.78@ 103 stock