How to find your perfect Lightning (used)?

[galstaf]

Hey everyone from North Georgia,


I’m new on the forum and have been eyeing the Lightning (and other heavy‑duty EVs) to replace my aging Armada. Right now I’m weighing a used Rivian R1T versus the F‑150 Lightning—both seem quick enough, but I’ve read mixed reliability reports. What’s really sold me on the Lightning so far is the overwhelmingly positive feedback from folks on this forum!


A bit about my needs:

• Workshop charging during the day, so I need the 80 A Level 2 onboard charger (limited to 2022–2023 ER models) that’ll top up the battery within a few hours, not overnight.
• Emergency power for our site, so I want the Extended‑Range battery plus the 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard package.
• This truck will live on our farm and will inevitably pick up some dings and scratches, so cosmetics aren’t a priority—I’m more concerned with a solid “bones” and a better price.

I’ve drafted a message to local dealers (below), but strangely haven’t had any luck finding private sellers in my area. Before I send it out, I’d love to tap your collective experience:

• Are there any must‑check mods or hidden gotchas on these ’22–’23 High‑Group (511A) Lariats or Platinums?
• Any tips on where to find lightly used trucks outside the dealer network?
• Or suggestions to make my inquiry more effective?

—–


My draft dealer inquiry (feel free to rip it apart!):

Hi there,
I’m looking for a used 2022–2023 F‑150 Lightning in either:

• Lariat with Equipment Group 511A (High)
• Platinum

Must‑have factory options:

• 99V Extended‑Range 131 kWh battery w/ dual 80 A Level 2 onboard charger
• 53D Max Trailer Tow Package (10,000 lb tow, e‑Locker, Hill Descent)
• 479 Pro Power Onboard™ 9.6 kW inverter
• 7‑year prepaid BlueCruise plan preferred

I’m okay with higher‑mileage trucks and minor cosmetic wear as long as the chassis and drivetrain are solid. My aim is to find a great deal relative to Kelley Blue Book.
If you have any matching trucks in stock or incoming, please share:

1. Total asking price (incl. fees) vs. KBB fair‑market value
2. Mileage and mechanical condition
3. BlueCruise status or cost to activate prepaid plan
4. VIN and full list of factory option codes or aftermarket mods
5. Estimated availability

Thanks for your help!

Looking forward to any feedback or suggestions you all might have. Thanks in advance!

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[galstaf]

BTW not in a particular rush to buy, but would like to get it done in time to get the tax deduction before it disappears.

 

[TaxmanHog]

BTW not in a particular rush to buy, but would like to get it done in time to get the tax deduction before it disappears.

You're unlikely to get the federal tax credit for "Used BEV's" as the market pricing on gently used Lariats & Platinum's will likely be above the maximum limitations, OTOH, if you go with brand new, hunt for abandoned Fleet orders where the buyer spec'd a Dual onboard chargers and other features you desire that is under the 80K limits in built MSRP (excl Shipping) you might get the $7500 credit .... but not on the Platinum's for sure.

BTW: very unlikely to see any with the 7 years of navigation on those older models

Welcome to forum good luck in your hunt!

 

[Bigisland Guy]

As a point of reference regarding Lemoned F150 lightnings for low price points. Check out Heller Ford in IL they seem to deal in lots of buy backs. (Like my prior). I understand these lemons are not what your looking for but it can help you with your price point when you find the right truck. Good Luck.

 

[PA Lightning]

Have you considered a new Pro ER? Below is a link to one in our area. I assume you could find one in GA as well. With tax credit you are under $50K

https://www.sandsfordofpottsville.c...ord-f-150-lightning-crew-cab-pickup?type=cash

 

[TaxmanHog]

Have you considered a new Pro ER? Below is a link to one in our area. I assume you could find one in GA as well. With tax credit you are under $50K

https://www.sandsfordofpottsville.c...ord-f-150-lightning-crew-cab-pickup?type=cash

https://www.windowsticker.forddirect.com/windowsticker.pdf?vin=1FT6W1BM7SWG12341

 

[thatsreallyclean]

Have you considered a pro edition That's new? They're kind of hard to find but it might be in your price point, but I don't know if you could find one with the options you're looking for.
One thing I would recommend is expanding your search Nationwide because what you're looking for is pretty specific and if you find what you're looking for, get a third-party mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection.
Also, from my experience when I bought my truck, if you find a dealership that has one that's in an area without many public chargers and kind of in the middle of nowhere, you might be able to get a little bit of a better deal.
Also, as far as the difference between the rivian and the F-150, it might be good to call your insurance company and see the difference in price with car insurance. I had a friend who had a rivian And the car insurance was astronomical compared to the Ford just because it's harder to get parts for a rivian if you're in an accident.

Also, spend a couple hundred bucks and buy the adapter so you can use the high speed Tesla charging stations because there's a lot more of them if you need to travel outside of your immediate area. Also, if you buy one one out of state and have to drive it back it'll make the drive a hundred times easier.

 

[RickLightning]

The 7 years of prepaid BlueCruise is a non-starter/not available on any but select 2024s and 2025s, it wasn't an option on prior years.

The tax credit on used requires the selling price to be $25,000 or less, very unlikely.

As stated, if you buy away from home, you're going to want an adapter for Tesla SuperChargers on the way home. A2Z's Typhoon Pro is 25% off using code FLASHSPRING, and the link below. Their Stellar adapter is great for Tesla Destination chargers, like hotels. https://a2zevshop.com/products/nacs-ccs1?ref=Typhoon&variant=43186507579592

 

[Ricks Lightning]

You mentioned the truck will live on your farm.
Don't worry about the blue cruise. Its pretty useless as the normal adative cruise control with lane centering is pretty much all you're getting , and it's free.

As far as the 9.6 pro power, sounds like you need it as back up power or potentially for a welder. There's a local mechanical contractor that wrote up a big issue while trying to run his welder, it would shut off. Dealer I don't believe was able to fix it.

Standard level 2 charger I'm using, 39.9 amp draw is giving me approx 19 miles per hr..charge rate.

Rick

 

[galstaf]

As a point of reference regarding Lemoned F150 lightnings for low price points. Check out Heller Ford in IL they seem to deal in lots of buy backs. (Like my prior). I understand these lemons are not what your looking for but it can help you with your price point when you find the right truck. Good Luck.

Ha.. generally not what anyone is looking for I am guessing! Do Ford go through them with a fine tooth comb to see what they messed up? Do you have any knowledge on what their procedures are?

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[galstaf]

You mentioned the truck will live on your farm.
Don't worry about the blue cruise. Its pretty useless as the normal adative cruise control with lane centering is pretty much all you're getting , and it's free.

As far as the 9.6 pro power, sounds like you need it as back up power or potentially for a welder. There's a local mechanical contractor that wrote up a big issue while trying to run his welder, it would shut off. Dealer I don't believe was able to fix it.

Standard level 2 charger I'm using, 39.9 amp draw is giving me approx 19 miles per hr..charge rate.

Rick

Great points! Thanks!

I hear you.. but unlike most folks that are home charging overnight, I am charging at work and we have industrial 3 phase power onsight, so I want to be able to charge at double rate.

The 9.6kW I want as an option to power the barn etc in the event of a power outage (which have been a little too numerous lately).
Does anyone know what the maximum power draw at 240VAC is? So motor start up loads are significant. Can the truck handle those?

How does it handle sustained loads? Does anyone have any real life experience with that?

 

[galstaf]

The 7 years of prepaid BlueCruise is a non-starter/not available on any but select 2024s and 2025s, it wasn't an option on prior years.

The tax credit on used requires the selling price to be $25,000 or less, very unlikely.

As stated, if you buy away from home, you're going to want an adapter for Tesla SuperChargers on the way home. A2Z's Typhoon Pro is 25% off using code FLASHSPRING, and the link below. Their Stellar adapter is great for Tesla Destination chargers, like hotels. https://a2zevshop.com/products/nacs-ccs1?ref=Typhoon&variant=43186507579592

Excellent point... Does the Tesla adapter modify or do anything other than change the configuration of the plug?

Thanks!

 

[RickLightning]

Excellent point... Does the Tesla adapter modify or do anything other than change the configuration of the plug?

Thanks!

There are 2 different adapters. One takes the Tesla Supercharger plug and converts it to CCS. The other takes a Tesla Destination plug and converts it to J-1772. They are NOT interchangeable.

 

[galstaf]

You're unlikely to get the federal tax credit for "Used BEV's" as the market pricing on gently used Lariats & Platinum's will likely be above the maximum limitations, OTOH, if you go with brand new, hunt for abandoned Fleet orders where the buyer spec'd a Dual onboard chargers and other features you desire that is under the 80K limits in built MSRP (excl Shipping) you might get the $7500 credit .... but not on the Platinum's for sure.

BTW: very unlikely to see any with the 7 years of navigation on those older models

Welcome to forum good luck in your hunt!

Excellent points I wasn't aware of. Looks like the hoops to get the used BEV credit make it a non starter. I can't believe they set the limit so low, when you can get a credit on a new 80K truck.

As I am not in a particular rush to purchase as my current truck is still working, just feeling it's age.

Does anyone have a way to put out the specs I am looking for to any sellers in a particular geographic area and if a unit comes in that matches my needs and pricing, it will flag them to get in touch or at least let me know to reach out?
I am open to AI doing automatic searches every day if anyone has a lead on that... something that hits all the dealers, plus carvana, cars.com, etc etc.
I googled for it, but it is hard to sift thru the BS trying to find a competent search tool.

 

[RickLightning]

Great points! Thanks!

I hear you.. but unlike most folks that are home charging overnight, I am charging at work and we have industrial 3 phase power onsight, so I want to be able to charge at double rate.

The 9.6kW I want as an option to power the barn etc in the event of a power outage (which have been a little too numerous lately).
Does anyone know what the maximum power draw at 240VAC is? So motor start up loads are significant. Can the truck handle those?

How does it handle sustained loads? Does anyone have any real life experience with that?

There are many posts on this. If you are not using Ford's backup solution, the max draw at 240v is 30amps. That's 7.2kW of the 9.6kW. The rest are 120v.

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