Would a 6 1/2' bed work on the Lightning?

[Highpi]

Just wondering if the Lightning could be made with the longer bed without losing too much range or other issues?

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[Henry Ford]

I'm not sure if you are asking if you could fit a longer bed or if Ford could produce a truck with a longer bed so I'll answer both questions. The short answer is anything can be done with enough money and expertise but it's extremely impractical.

Ford doesn't produce multiple versions of the Lightning because it would add cost. It's a low volume vehicle which already loses money. Adding an option that requires a new frame and is less popular than the short bed would be corporate malpractice.

As mentioned above, a longer bed would require a different frame with a longer wheel base. The Lightning frame is a heavily modified version of an F150 frame. An extremely talented DIYer could probably figure it out but this is a SEMA type build and I don't think there's much wow-factor or commercial viability in a slightly longer Lightning.

The other DIY option would be to heavily modify a longer bed and just Frankenstein it to the current Lightning frame. This would be the easiest option but you'd lose payload in the process and it would be hideous.

Any mod would reduce efficiency.

 

[Firn]

Just wondering if the Lightning could be made with the longer bed without losing too much range or other issues?

I don't expect range would be impacted much, if at all.

I would think that an extended cab 6.5 bed would be fairly easy. Iirc that is the same wheelbase as the crew cab short bed.

A crew cab 6.5 bed would be more difficult as Henry Ford said. I imagine Ford made the lightning in its most popular configuration first, just to hit the biggest part of its market. Making something different means different tooling, changes to the production lines, etc.

 

[Highpi]

I'm not sure if you are asking if you could fit a longer bed or if Ford could produce a truck with a longer bed so I'll answer both questions. The short answer is anything can be done with enough money and expertise but it's extremely impractical.

Ford doesn't produce multiple versions of the Lightning because it would add cost. It's a low volume vehicle which already loses money. Adding an option that requires a new frame and is less popular than the short bed would be corporate malpractice.

As mentioned above, a longer bed would require a different frame with a longer wheel base. The Lightning frame is a heavily modified version of an F150 frame. An extremely talented DIYer could probably figure it out but this is a SEMA type build and I don't think there's much wow-factor or commercial viability in a slightly longer Lightning.

The other DIY option would be to heavily modify a longer bed and just Frankenstein it to the current Lightning frame. This would be the easiest option but you'd lose payload in the process and it would be hideous.

Any mod would reduce efficiency.

No, I was just pondering a factory configuration. But I think you and Firn are right, the crew cab short bed is the most popular. Have to go with the most bang for your buck.

 

[broncoaz]

I’m surprised there are so many trim options for the Lightining as a low production specialty vehicle. It seems like they could make a Pro, XLT, and Lariat only and be fine. I personally just leased a Flash, but I could’ve stepped up or down as needed. The Flash is actually the perfect compromise for my needs vs wants, so I’m glad it exists.

 

[Henry Ford]

The Flash is actually the perfect compromise for my needs vs wants, so I’m glad it exists.

I think that's why it exists. Lots of stuff people like, they got rid of stuff that wasn't as important, and made sure it would be eligible for a tax credit.

 

[Highpi]

I’m surprised there are so many trim options for the Lightining as a low production specialty vehicle. It seems like they could make a Pro, XLT, and Lariat only and be fine. I personally just leased a Flash, but I could’ve stepped up or down as needed. The Flash is actually the perfect compromise for my needs vs wants, so I’m glad it exists.

Yup, the Flash has just about everything I'd want, except for the sliding rear window. Having a short bed now, the slider has come in handy many times.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Yup, the Flash has just about everything I'd want, except for the sliding rear window. Having a short bed now, the slider has come in handy many times.

It seems the 2024 Flash is just about identical to the 2023 XLT ER Option 312A (mine) in all major features.

 

[Heliian]

Iirc that is the same wheelbase as the crew cab short bed.

The only 2 with the same wheelbase is the supercab(I call this the 3 door) 6.5 and supercrew 5.5.

• Regular Cab/6.5-Foot Bed: Length – 209.1 inches / Wheelbase – 122.8 inches
• Regular Cab/8.0-Foot Bed: Length – 227.7 inches / Wheelbase – 141.5 inches
• SuperCab/6.5-Foot Bed: Length – 231.7 inches / Wheelbase – 145.4 inches
• SuperCab/8.0-Foot Bed: Length – 250.3 inches / Wheelbase – 164.1 inches
• SuperCrew/5.5-Foot Bed: Length – 231.7 inches / Wheelbase – 145.4 inches
• SuperCrew/6.5-Foot Bed: Length – 243.5 inches / Wheelbase – 157.2 inches

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