ExplorerTom
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Those lights are awesome! Would have had to of been one hell of a Black Friday sale though.......
“Thunder” 1998 Expedition Build Thread
- Thread starter MISTERgadget
- Start date
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MISTERgadget
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25 or 30% off EVERYTHING if I remember right. Definitely was tempting so I jumped on it.
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MISTERgadget
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They usually do big sales for Black Friday, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July.
www.theretrofitsource.com
Awesome stuff and when they run sales it's worth taking advantage of them.
Texpedition
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I saw your thread on Lightninggarage.com and took note of your installation of the front bumper assembly. Where did you purchase those parts? I keep seeing those listed on ebay as bumper covers. You took your old bumper off, it appears, and installed the Lightning bumper right onto the front end. I have to replace my front bumper due to damage but won't waste the money if I can put a new Lightning bumper on in its place. Did you have to replace the brackets as well?
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MISTERgadget
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Skipped ahead!
That's actually what I logged into to copy over today, the last few posts. What you're seeing on ebay is just the cover. They use the same steel bumper underneath as 99-02 expeditions and 99-03 F150s, without the top plastic cover or the airdam, with supports bolted onto that steel bumper specific for the lightning cover, and the 99-02 bumper brackets (only needed if you have a 97 or 98). You need all of those parts or else it doesn't bolt on. I purchased the bumper cover from a classified ad on the Lightning forums, it's an OEM cover, and got the supports from Tasca Ford, and for the steel bumper underneath, I found one locally on craigslist. I'll copy the pictures over and add some more details how it all goes together.
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MISTERgadget
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Next big mod was slightly out of order with the original plan, but since I have been collecting parts opportunistically, I ended up with all of this stuff in my closet, and it was just taking up too much space so on it went... and yes, I did feel kind of bad for making it "look faster" before it had the muscle to back it up.
Here you can see all of the parts needed for the Lightning bumper cover - Since I'm starting with a 98 I needed a 99+ grill shell, behind it you can see the Lightning bumper cover (just the cover) and behind that, a 99-03 F-150 / Expedition steel bumper. I painted the steel bumper with black VHT epoxy paint to try and keep it from getting rusty or pitted down the road. Behind the bumper itself, towards the right, you can see the brackets and supports that bolt onto the steel bumper to give it the shape to support the lightning bumper cover.
Here's a detailed look at what goes behind the Lightning bumper cover
I added switchback LED turnsignal bulbs and yellow foglight bulbs at the same time
Here you can see all of the parts needed for the Lightning bumper cover - Since I'm starting with a 98 I needed a 99+ grill shell, behind it you can see the Lightning bumper cover (just the cover) and behind that, a 99-03 F-150 / Expedition steel bumper. I painted the steel bumper with black VHT epoxy paint to try and keep it from getting rusty or pitted down the road. Behind the bumper itself, towards the right, you can see the brackets and supports that bolt onto the steel bumper to give it the shape to support the lightning bumper cover.
Here's a detailed look at what goes behind the Lightning bumper cover
I added switchback LED turnsignal bulbs and yellow foglight bulbs at the same time
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MISTERgadget
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New taillights went on around the same time as well. These export tails are very rare and I haven't seen them on any other expedition on the road, so I jumped on a new in box set that popped up. It's also a much more subtle OEM look compared to the ebay special LED tails.
At the same time, I also used some SEM bumper-coater paint to refinish the tan-colored Eddie Bauer bumper pads, eventually the chrome will be painted white as well.
The inspiration for these was the 1999 SVT Cobra, those came with export tails to distinguish them from other models, so if an SVT Expedition had been released around that same time, it may have also come with export tails.
For now, the amber portion isn't wired in yet and the red bulbs are still serving as stop/turn/tail, I've got the wiring diagrams here so I'll tackle separating the stop and turn portions in the near future. The basic concept is to take the stop signal that goes to the third brake light to the brakes, and then separate the brake switch from the turn signal switch under the dash, and then the existing wiring for the brake lights and turn signals becomes the wiring for just turn signals.
At the same time, I also used some SEM bumper-coater paint to refinish the tan-colored Eddie Bauer bumper pads, eventually the chrome will be painted white as well.
The inspiration for these was the 1999 SVT Cobra, those came with export tails to distinguish them from other models, so if an SVT Expedition had been released around that same time, it may have also come with export tails.
For now, the amber portion isn't wired in yet and the red bulbs are still serving as stop/turn/tail, I've got the wiring diagrams here so I'll tackle separating the stop and turn portions in the near future. The basic concept is to take the stop signal that goes to the third brake light to the brakes, and then separate the brake switch from the turn signal switch under the dash, and then the existing wiring for the brake lights and turn signals becomes the wiring for just turn signals.
acolic
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Hi
Great thread. Can you post a link to the front headlights you used.
Thanks
Alex
Great thread. Can you post a link to the front headlights you used.
Thanks
Alex
acolic
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Hi
Same for the tail lights.
Thanks great thread.
Same for the tail lights.
Thanks great thread.
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MISTERgadget
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Hi Alex - as a base for the headlights I used generic Lightning replica headlights from ebay, along with this kit from TRS:
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/c...orimoto-mini-stage-3-kit-h1.html#.V6d8m2grLIU
I added Apollo 2.0 flat shrouds, etched lenses, and 100mm switchback halos.
Found them on ebay while browsing. Every once in a while they pop up.
South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia? I'm sure they went all over.
Texpedition
Well-Known Member
Mr. Gadget, do you know if there is any "Thunder" badging available? Was any ever produced that could be purchased?
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MISTERgadget
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None that I have ever seen. Even the concept still had regular Expedition badging.
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MISTERgadget
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Truck is obviously still N/A, but while the engine is at the builder (Ronnie Crawford) and the heads are out for porting (Performance CNC), I figured I could get a head start on the exhaust setup, one less thing to do at the same time as the motor swap. I also had a small leak at the manifold, so I might as well redo the entire exhaust to fix it.
The idea was to future-proof the exhaust to make sure it would never be a bottleneck on power from day 1, so ARH headers with 1-3/4" primaries and dual 3" all the way back. Extra o2 bungs were added for a dual wideband down the road, along. with v-band connections for easy assembly and removal anytime. Since I don't want it too loud, it's catted, and I picked the Magnaflow 12599 muffler with an internal x-pipe, it's the largest 3" dual in/out muffler they make, which should keep it pretty mild. The exit is behind the tire as well to keep interior resonance at a minimum. Dual-wall 4" tips cap it off. I also used Vibrant's stainless steel OEM style hangers.
Danny Fernandez at South Florida Muscle Cars put the parts all together, he did great work and it looks fantastic.
A second set of o2 bungs was added to the headers to allow for adding a dual wideband air/fuel gauge down the road.
Here you can see the Vibrant hangers and v-bands on the exit of the Magnaflow muffler
Tailpipes over the axle in progress
All set!
The idea was to future-proof the exhaust to make sure it would never be a bottleneck on power from day 1, so ARH headers with 1-3/4" primaries and dual 3" all the way back. Extra o2 bungs were added for a dual wideband down the road, along. with v-band connections for easy assembly and removal anytime. Since I don't want it too loud, it's catted, and I picked the Magnaflow 12599 muffler with an internal x-pipe, it's the largest 3" dual in/out muffler they make, which should keep it pretty mild. The exit is behind the tire as well to keep interior resonance at a minimum. Dual-wall 4" tips cap it off. I also used Vibrant's stainless steel OEM style hangers.
Danny Fernandez at South Florida Muscle Cars put the parts all together, he did great work and it looks fantastic.
A second set of o2 bungs was added to the headers to allow for adding a dual wideband air/fuel gauge down the road.
Here you can see the Vibrant hangers and v-bands on the exit of the Magnaflow muffler
Tailpipes over the axle in progress
All set!
Last edited:
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MISTERgadget
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The tips turned out extremely nice as well - 4" double wall stainless with angle cut openings. A great ebay find! http://www.ebay.com/itm/252386580102?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
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MISTERgadget
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aaaaand of course, the obligatory sound clip:
it's just what I wanted, aggressive and throaty when you're on the throttle, with a great timbre from the headers, unobtrusive and very subtle at idle and cruise.
it's just what I wanted, aggressive and throaty when you're on the throttle, with a great timbre from the headers, unobtrusive and very subtle at idle and cruise.
reece146
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Looks and sounds pretty good.
What is the part number or version of headers? Is it their Lightning header? More or less works for a 5.4 Expedition?
What is the part number or version of headers? Is it their Lightning header? More or less works for a 5.4 Expedition?
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MISTERgadget
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Thanks! Those are their Lightning headers and midpipes, the "catback" is custom made.
Bolts right up in a 5.4 2wd with the 4R100 since the dimensions and layout are exactly the same.
reece146
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Do you know it it will work with a 4x4? Headers + cats?
