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January 2009 Gen 1 Truck Of The Month – Congratulations Ron ("ski") Czaplewski (NLOC# 2221).
This month's Gen 1 TOTM hails from the plains of Nebraska. Ron was fortunate to find an unmolested, low miler, Gen 1 to replace his totaled Gen 2. The question on all of our minds is...which do you like better, the Gen 1 or 2 :stirpot:? Thanks for being a part of the Lightning community and congrats on being January's Truck of The Month!
1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?
I've always been a Ford guy and liked the Lightning, but never really thought about getting one. I was looking to buy a Mustang GT and a local Chevy dealer had a black '99 Lightning on the lot. I decided to test drive the truck and realized that I wanted nothing more than to own a Lightning…six months later, I bought a black '03.
2. Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?
Does riding on the hood of a car going 70 count?
3. What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?
Go:
Pullies
shift kit
drag radials
Show:
'01 L wheels
And more importantly I waxed the left front fender, lol.
4. Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?
My wife, Denise, who was four months pregnant, and I were driving home from our friend's house, when we were met nearly head on by a drunk driver which totaled my '03 L. Denise and our baby were fine, but I broke a rib and my right hand. Five months later, we were in the process of buying a house and getting ready to have a baby.
Just before dinner one night, I was talking to Denise about getting another Lightning and when the time was right I would know. Five minutes later, a friend called to say he found a red '94 for sale. Less than a week later, I purchased my second Lightning.
5. Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.
I live in Omaha, Nebraska, with my wife, Denise and our son, Ben. I install glass for Auto Glass Center and when I'm not doing Lightning stuff, I can usually be found at home with family or at Hobby Town. I'm quite the RC nut and even have a radio controlled Lightning. I am also a huge Husker football fan and I love odd ball Ford vehicles. I currently have three Mavericks.
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've been a member since September of '05. After I bought my '03 I received an issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines. In the magazine, there was an article about Lightning Fest and NLOC. I decided to check it out and I've been Lightning crazy ever since.
7. What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?
Nothing. It's great.
8. Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?
Everything I was picking was already taken so I used the last three letters of my last name.
9. What are your plans for future changes to your truck?
Currently I have a Vortech T-trim, JLP bars, Flowmasters, and a lowering kit waiting for me to install. I would also like to get a center seat, clear headlights, roll pan, upgraded brakes, full exhaust, HO cam, heads, and a converter or five speed swap.
10. This is where you link favorite websites, your website, family pictures and add any other comments.
I would like to thank my family and friends, especially Denise, for putting up with my severe Lightning addiction; Lance, for helping me work on the truck and for added direction; my Omaha Lightning buddies for the late nights at the track; NLOC for being there when I needed help, or just a new part; and Neil for helping me give new life to my '03 which could have just went to the junkyard in the sky.
Congratulations to Ron and his 1994 Red Gen 1 Truck of the Month, January 2009!
This month's Gen 1 TOTM hails from the plains of Nebraska. Ron was fortunate to find an unmolested, low miler, Gen 1 to replace his totaled Gen 2. The question on all of our minds is...which do you like better, the Gen 1 or 2 :stirpot:? Thanks for being a part of the Lightning community and congrats on being January's Truck of The Month!
1. What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?
I've always been a Ford guy and liked the Lightning, but never really thought about getting one. I was looking to buy a Mustang GT and a local Chevy dealer had a black '99 Lightning on the lot. I decided to test drive the truck and realized that I wanted nothing more than to own a Lightning…six months later, I bought a black '03.
2. Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?
Does riding on the hood of a car going 70 count?
3. What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?
Go:
Pullies
shift kit
drag radials
Show:
'01 L wheels
And more importantly I waxed the left front fender, lol.
4. Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?
My wife, Denise, who was four months pregnant, and I were driving home from our friend's house, when we were met nearly head on by a drunk driver which totaled my '03 L. Denise and our baby were fine, but I broke a rib and my right hand. Five months later, we were in the process of buying a house and getting ready to have a baby.
Just before dinner one night, I was talking to Denise about getting another Lightning and when the time was right I would know. Five minutes later, a friend called to say he found a red '94 for sale. Less than a week later, I purchased my second Lightning.
5. Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.
I live in Omaha, Nebraska, with my wife, Denise and our son, Ben. I install glass for Auto Glass Center and when I'm not doing Lightning stuff, I can usually be found at home with family or at Hobby Town. I'm quite the RC nut and even have a radio controlled Lightning. I am also a huge Husker football fan and I love odd ball Ford vehicles. I currently have three Mavericks.
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've been a member since September of '05. After I bought my '03 I received an issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines. In the magazine, there was an article about Lightning Fest and NLOC. I decided to check it out and I've been Lightning crazy ever since.
7. What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?
Nothing. It's great.
8. Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?
Everything I was picking was already taken so I used the last three letters of my last name.
9. What are your plans for future changes to your truck?
Currently I have a Vortech T-trim, JLP bars, Flowmasters, and a lowering kit waiting for me to install. I would also like to get a center seat, clear headlights, roll pan, upgraded brakes, full exhaust, HO cam, heads, and a converter or five speed swap.
10. This is where you link favorite websites, your website, family pictures and add any other comments.
I would like to thank my family and friends, especially Denise, for putting up with my severe Lightning addiction; Lance, for helping me work on the truck and for added direction; my Omaha Lightning buddies for the late nights at the track; NLOC for being there when I needed help, or just a new part; and Neil for helping me give new life to my '03 which could have just went to the junkyard in the sky.
Congratulations to Ron and his 1994 Red Gen 1 Truck of the Month, January 2009!
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