2003 Ford Ranger Thunderbolt Thunder Bolt, Rare 67,000 Miles on 2040-cars

If you'd like more joy underfoot, step up to the available free-flow air intake system complemented by a dual outlet exhaust system ending in classy twin pipes that actually look like real twin pipes, not just cheap chrome shells over the ratty stock exhaust pipes. SLP also notched cut-outs into the custom rear roll pan for the exhaust tips, which jut outward with just enough menace to be cool without going over the top (as on teenager-modified Honda Civics with those absurdly oversized "sewer pipe" exhaust tips).

The Stage II and Stage III intake and exhaust mods boost the power of the Ranger Thunderbolt's optional 4.0-liter six by about 15 to 222 all told, and the base 3.0-liter V-6 to 160, an eight-percent improvement. While this truck is not a rocket ship like the Lightning is, it's definitely got more gumption than a factory-stock Ranger — enough that you can feel the difference when you punch it, especially as the tach swings toward redline and the deeper breathing made possible by the SLP system becomes noticeable both audibly, as well as in the seat of your pants.

Bear in mind that the Thunderbolt is a two-wheel-drive-only vehicle and rides lower to the ground on performance-type tires, so keep it in the garage when it snows. But on dry pavement, the Thunderbolt is amazingly and gratifyingly grippy for a truck — noticeably more tenacious going around a tight corner than a regular 2WD Ranger, and much less apt to fishtail like a just-landed sea bass. SLP credits the much-meatier16-inch tires and the presence of a beefy rear stabilizer bar for the gains in stability.

A test mule/prototype that could become an '04 model was on hand that was dropped down a couple of inches over the stock Ranger as well as the '03 Thunderbolt — and which probably handles even better (we didn't get to drive that one).

Truck adventure

Finally there's the Chevy Adventure, SLP's idea of what the Chevy Blazer could and should be. A great many people probably don't realize the tried-and-true Blazer is still being produced, what with the new but confusingly named TrailBlazer (and GMC Envoy) having been introduced last year. But the Blazer isn't going away for at least a year or two, and SLP decided to see what could be done to enhance the existing package.

As with the other SLP vehicles, the functional improvements center around better breathing —the free-flow air box, cat-back dual outlet exhaust, 1.7 ratio (this application) rocker arms and revised pulleys drawing another 35 hp out of the 4.3 liter Vortec V-6 engine, raising its output to 225 from 190. Also available as options are a lowering kit, the Hawk brake pad package, fog lamps, carbon fiber trim, and a neat "Speed Grille" trim insert with a red-and-black painted Chevy bow tie symbol.

Final retail pricing of the SLP upgrades for 2003 has not been formally announced, and the vehicles themselves don't go on sale until September 1, but expect the tab for the base SLP package to run about $1,900. Order the whole enchilada — Stage 3 performance enhancements and all — and it'll be around $3500 on top of the base price of the vehicle itself.

As in the past, SLP includes its own three-year/36,000 mile warranty that "mirrors" the factory coverage. And as with the Camaro SS and Firebird Firehawk, there's no complicated rigamarole or secret handshake. Just click off the SLP options you want on the order blank and the dealer will take care of the rest for you.