It was last year that we learned the reason Ford officially abandoned the F-150 Lightning in 2004: The truck simply got too big. That hasn’t stopped one dealer in Georgia from making its own version, though. Pioneer Ford in Bremen, Georgia, is selling new 650-hp supercharged F-150s that ape the original Lightning’s looks for just $50,000.
The dealer has only built two Lightning tributes so far, but a post on Facebook showing off the trucks has gone viral, and they already have additional orders. Amazingly, this truck comes with a full Ford warranty, since its 5.0-liter V-8 is fitted with a Roush supercharger and Pioneer Ford is an authorized Roush installer. It qualifies for Ford factory rebates, too.
Pioneer is offering its Lightning tribute only in two-door short-wheelbase form, and it comes with side pipes and five-spoke wheels, just like the model built from 1999?2004. The Lightning tribute also gets a lowered suspension, and Pioneer plans to build more examples based on the new 2018 F-150 with the 5.0-liter V-8, which comes with a 10-speed automatic. Pioneer Ford general manager Robby Winiarczyk told us that the 1999?2004 Lightning was his “dream truck” and he decided to build a modern tribute just for fun. That truck, the red example shown below, sold within days.

Winiarczyk plans to offer an updated version with a more modern infotainment system installed, as Ford sells the two-door F-150 only with a basic radio. He’s sticking wit...