Skritch
Moderator
June 2006 Gen 2 Truck Of The Month - Congratulations Jimmy “dealerjim” O’Neal ! (NLOC #1225)
Both Gen 2 moderators unanimously chose dealerjim for the June TOTM ! A fine and pretty darn quick example of the second generation Lightning in the NLOC community. Let’s see what Jimmy has to say about himself and his Lightning…
Question #1: What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?
I've always been a truck guy and have owned a few limited edition "sport" trucks in the past, 454SS, Dakota R/T, etc.... I think the looks of the Gen II was what sold me the most. It's IMO, by far the best looking truck on the streets. The power was just a bonus.
Question #2: Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?
There are so many that it would take a while. I had a lightly modded Dakota R/T before the Lightning and it was ridiculously slow compared to the stock power of the L. I gave it to my wife after I bought the Lightning. After she drove it for a couple years, she gave it up for a GTO.
Question #3: What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?
SHOW: Started out with a Cervini’s ram-air hood but changed back to the stocker for weight savings. I installed a Lund roll pan from PSP, also for weight savings and a cleaner look. 20" chrome Boss Motorsport wheels for the street and lowered her 3/4. Also lots of underhood bling from Chikenears.
GO: I started out with all the normal "bolt-ons" but soon realized that wouldn't be enough. It now has a JDM built long block, BTS tranny, KB twin-screw, JDM fuel system and SCT tuning by JDM.
Question #4: Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?
I was at a local t-n-t and a guy in a late model Silverado with a KB and nitrous came up to me in the staging lanes wanting to race me. He told me he was from Missouri and had traveled all the way here to run this blue Lightning he'd heard so much about. He spent about 20 minutes convincing 4 cars in the right lane to let him skip line just to line up with me. He was very confident that he had just what he needed to beat me. Well, he lost by about 6 car lengths. He drove by my pit a few minutes later just shaking his head and shook my hand. He said, "I guess I just didn't bring enough".
Question #5: Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.
I am a pawnbroker with 2 shops in northern Mississippi. I've been married for 16 years with a 16 yr old son and an 11 yr old daughter. My hobbies are guns, drag racing, and watching Pro Football. GO PANTHERS!!!
Question #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 on NLOC since Feb of 02 and have been a paid member since May of 2003. This is my favorite Lightning related site mostly due to the speed of the site and the great people here.
Question #7: What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?
I think it's just fine but would like to see more paid members to help with the costs of administration.
Question #8: Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?
I was a casino poker dealer for 10 years before getting into the pawn business and kinda picked up the name dealerjim. It just stuck and I've used it ever since.
Question #9: What are your plans for future changes to your truck?
I'm to the point now where weight reduction is the next logical step and maybe a KB 2.6 or Whipple. I plan to put her on a 4-500 lb diet over the winter this year.
Question 10: Whom would you like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together?
Team JDM for their fine work and awesome powerplant. They've really made my truck a beast.
DynoSpeed Racing for their sponsorship, including parts and services at cost. Every bit helps.
BTS for the best 4R100 tranny on the market and "incredible" customer service, Brian and Patty are just awesome!!!
Congratulations to Jimmy O’Neal and his 2002 Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, June 2006
Both Gen 2 moderators unanimously chose dealerjim for the June TOTM ! A fine and pretty darn quick example of the second generation Lightning in the NLOC community. Let’s see what Jimmy has to say about himself and his Lightning…
Question #1: What sparked your interest in the Ford Lightning?
I've always been a truck guy and have owned a few limited edition "sport" trucks in the past, 454SS, Dakota R/T, etc.... I think the looks of the Gen II was what sold me the most. It's IMO, by far the best looking truck on the streets. The power was just a bonus.
Question #2: Do you have any interesting stories about previously owned vehicles, before becoming a Lightning owner?
There are so many that it would take a while. I had a lightly modded Dakota R/T before the Lightning and it was ridiculously slow compared to the stock power of the L. I gave it to my wife after I bought the Lightning. After she drove it for a couple years, she gave it up for a GTO.
Question #3: What modifications have you made to your truck since you have owned it...both show and go?
SHOW: Started out with a Cervini’s ram-air hood but changed back to the stocker for weight savings. I installed a Lund roll pan from PSP, also for weight savings and a cleaner look. 20" chrome Boss Motorsport wheels for the street and lowered her 3/4. Also lots of underhood bling from Chikenears.
GO: I started out with all the normal "bolt-ons" but soon realized that wouldn't be enough. It now has a JDM built long block, BTS tranny, KB twin-screw, JDM fuel system and SCT tuning by JDM.
Question #4: Do you have any interesting stories about your Lightning?
I was at a local t-n-t and a guy in a late model Silverado with a KB and nitrous came up to me in the staging lanes wanting to race me. He told me he was from Missouri and had traveled all the way here to run this blue Lightning he'd heard so much about. He spent about 20 minutes convincing 4 cars in the right lane to let him skip line just to line up with me. He was very confident that he had just what he needed to beat me. Well, he lost by about 6 car lengths. He drove by my pit a few minutes later just shaking his head and shook my hand. He said, "I guess I just didn't bring enough".
Question #5: Tell us about yourself, your hobbies, business or work, sports, family, etc.
I am a pawnbroker with 2 shops in northern Mississippi. I've been married for 16 years with a 16 yr old son and an 11 yr old daughter. My hobbies are guns, drag racing, and watching Pro Football. GO PANTHERS!!!
Question #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 on NLOC since Feb of 02 and have been a paid member since May of 2003. This is my favorite Lightning related site mostly due to the speed of the site and the great people here.
Question #7: What suggestions do you have to make the NLOC.net website easier to use and navigate?
I think it's just fine but would like to see more paid members to help with the costs of administration.
Question #8: Why did you pick your board user name (screen name)?
I was a casino poker dealer for 10 years before getting into the pawn business and kinda picked up the name dealerjim. It just stuck and I've used it ever since.
Question #9: What are your plans for future changes to your truck?
I'm to the point now where weight reduction is the next logical step and maybe a KB 2.6 or Whipple. I plan to put her on a 4-500 lb diet over the winter this year.
Question 10: Whom would you like to thank for help\donations\support for putting the truck together?
Team JDM for their fine work and awesome powerplant. They've really made my truck a beast.
DynoSpeed Racing for their sponsorship, including parts and services at cost. Every bit helps.
BTS for the best 4R100 tranny on the market and "incredible" customer service, Brian and Patty are just awesome!!!
Jimmy’s best to date is a 1.48 60 foot at 10.64 and 126 MPH.
Congratulations to Jimmy O’Neal and his 2002 Ford Lightning for Gen 2 Truck of the Month, June 2006
