97 Ford Ranger Step Side, 2.3 liter; should I sell, scrap or keep & put in new engine/trans?

[Lefty]

Agreed. Take the bed off and then assess the damage from the rust. Patch and repair as needed, or just buy a junkyard bed.

When I did, I found my rear break lines were also corroded and leaking. You may also need new shocks or bushings. Mine was an Edge. I never liked the two inch lift blocks in the back so I replaced them with 1."

The entire back half sounds like it needs a makeover. Paint both bed and frame with POR15 before you reassemble. Call me crazy, but I sandblasted the exhaust system and painted it with Rustoleum high temperature paint. Most spray paints wear off, but not this one.

A new bedliner (maybe also a nice junkyard version) will hide the patchwork and make everything look sharp again. I scored one for my buddy's truck for $35.00.

These suggestions may be extra work, but will most certainly be worth it.

 

[superj]

I like the look of the stepside, it's what I have too, but as far as useful, the straight bed would be way more useful for me but finding one the right color hasn't worked out yet.

If you are going to use it for truck stuff and maybe put a toolbox on it, see if you can find a straight bed.

 

[nadsab]

Personally, id look for a junkyard bed. If youre not partial to the stepside a dime a dozen shortbox will interchange.

Thanks. So I should go for a short bed to replace the flareside. I assume the longer 7' bed won't fit, only the 6' bed - is that correct?

 

[superj]

I believe so. I think the longer bed is longer between the cab and wheels

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Plus the 7ft bed would hang off the frame in back

Yes the 6ft bed should almost directly interchange with the flareside. I think youll need a filler neck though from the regular bed IIRC.

Yours is a 94 correct? Any bed from 93-2011 will work in the proper size. Just the taillights and tailgate styling are a bit different.

 

[RonD]

Yes, the Long Bed box and frame has the rear wheels 6" farther back, so if you were to put long bed box on regular frame and lined it up with wheels there would be a 6" gap between cab and bed and it would stick out 12" past the regular frame

You can see the 6" wheel base difference here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-dimensions/

The extended cab extra length was in the front frame, rear frame was the same as regular cab short bed


EDIT: sorry, was thinking short bed on long bed frame, oops

 

[don4331]

Yes, the Long Bed box and frame has the rear wheels 6" farther back, so if you were to put long bed box on regular frame and lined it up with wheels there would be a 6" gap between cab and bed and it would stick out 12" past the regular frame

You can see the 6" wheel base difference here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-dimensions/

The extended cab extra length was in the front frame, rear frame was the same as regular cab short bed

You can't line up a 7' box on wheels without cutting 6" out of the cab to allow the box to fit that far forward If you try to fit a 7' box starting with front box bolts, you will find the cross member don't line up for all subsequent locations, the front of the wheel wheels sits on the tires, and the box extends a foot (1') past the end of the frame i.e. nothing but air for rear bolts to bolt to. A 6' box on a long box frame , when lined up with wheel wells, leave 6" gap between box and cab, and the tailgate flange sits on the extended frame rails. (Which I think @RonD was referring to).

Up to '98, the frames were all 1 piece: You had a regular cab/short bed, regular cab/long bed or SuperCab/short bed. And there are 2 and 4wd versions of all 3 frames due to different frame cross members at engine* As the OP is pre '98 he would be looking at whole frame replacement (per Ford).**​

​

98+ frames are 2 piece: There are 6 front sections: regular cab for short bed, regular cab for long bed, SuperCab (only works with short bed) lengths with coil spring (2wd only) and torsion bar (Edge 2wd and 4wds) options for each and 2 rear sections - short box and long box. So, if just back is damaged e.g. accident/rust, it can be replaced.​

Note: The front sections extend ~16" beyond back of cab for both Regular cab short box and SuperCab , while the Regular Cab long box front section extends ~22" beyond back of cab to the split point. The rear sections are identical from split point to rear spring shack mount, after which the long box is 6" longer. Ford attempted to prevent us from making SuperCab long box using OEM parts.​

The 6ft styleside bed directly interchanges with the flareside. You'll need a filler neck though from the appropriate bed, matching tailgate and bumper. (Bumper is aesthetic, not functional) You would want to keep the wiring/tail lights from original bed. There are subtle differences between years i.e. 2 bulb versus 3.​

Exceptions (this is Ford, there are always exceptions):​

Swapping 83-92 boxes of correct length onto '93-11 frames or vice versus is entirely possible, but the panel lines, primarily wheel well shape, isn't correct. It's an aesthetic thing, not functional.​

98+ Mazda boxes do not swap onto post '00 frames as the tail lights are 3 bulb, while '01+ Rangers are 2 bulb. (STX Ranger might have correct tail lights; I've not had one to check.) Ranger boxes swap onto '98+ Mazda frames if you get '93-'00 Ranger tail lights.​

The above is based on my restoring 21+ Rangers.

I'm always up to learning something new.​

*Small caveat: There are slightly different frame cross members in the '85-88 Rangers with rear fuel tank behind axle. But dual tank Rangers are almost unicorns.
**Yes, there are replacement sections for frames and they work. But they aren't blessed by Ford, so buyer/welder beware.

And apologies - hit send initially before ready, so massively edited to get it all correct.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I would figure OP is smart enough not to try to bolt on an S10 or F150 bed.

 

[Lefty]

I like the look of the stepside, it's what I have too, but as far as useful, the straight bed would be way more useful for me but finding one the right color hasn't worked out yet.

If you are going to use it for truck stuff and maybe put a toolbox on it, see if you can find a straight bed.

One good looking truck!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If you swap bed styles you'll need the bumper and I think brackets too. And as mentioned the filler hose.

 

[Lefty]

If you swap bed styles you'll need the bumper and I think brackets too. And as mentioned the filler hose.

Steel fleetside or fiberglass stepside, each has its advantages. The fleetside is bigger and holds more. The stepside is narrower but lighter and handles better. I would imagine it offers better mileage too. The nice thing about the Ranger is that you have choices. You can make it into the truck you want

 

[don4331]

Stepside is 10 lbs heavier per Ford... All those curves hurt fuel economy too. But the finance committee liked stepside, so that's what we bought.

 

[Lefty]

Stepside is 10 lbs heavier per Ford... All those curves hurt fuel economy too. But the finance committee liked stepside, so that's what we bought.

Only 10lbs?

 

[don4331]

Per Ford eSource Books:

Option Weight: Front/Total
Flareside Pick-up Box 8lbs/10lb Less on rear is function of the narrower bumper and tailgate.

Base weights: (I did 3.0/Manual to be consistent.)
Regular Cab Short Bed (coil spring,4x2) 1851/3127
Regular Cab Short Bed (torsion bar,4x2) 1860/3144
Regular Cab Short Bed (4x4) 2041/3408
Regular Cab Long Bed (coil spring,4x2) 1867/3180
Regular Cab Short Bed (torsion bar,4x2) 1876/3197
Regular Cab Short Bed (4x4) 2056/3271
Super Cab Short Bed (coil spring,4x2) 1896/3271
Super Cab Short Bed (torsion bar,4x2) 1905/3288
Super Cab Short Bed (4x4) 2143/3599

 

[don4331]

You can't line up a 7' box on wheels without cutting 6" out of the cab to allow the box to fit that far forward If you try to fit a 7' box starting with front box bolts, you will find the cross member don't line up for all subsequent locations, the front of the wheel wheels sits on the tires, and the box extends a foot (1') past the end of the frame i.e. nothing but air for rear bolts to bolt to. A 6' box on a long box frame , when lined up with wheel wells, leave 6" gap between box and cab, and the tailgate flange sits on the extended frame rails. (Which I think @RonD was referring to).

Up to '98, the frames were all 1 piece: You had a regular cab/short bed, regular cab/long bed or SuperCab/short bed. And there are 2 and 4wd versions of all 3 frames due to different frame cross members at engine* As the OP is pre '98 he would be looking at whole frame replacement (per Ford).**​

​

98+ frames are 2 piece: There are 6 front sections: regular cab for short bed, regular cab for long bed, SuperCab (only works with short bed) lengths with coil spring (2wd only) and torsion bar (Edge 2wd and 4wds) options for each and 2 rear sections - short box and long box. So, if just back is damaged e.g. accident/rust, it can be replaced.​

Note: The front sections extend ~16" beyond back of cab for both Regular cab short box and SuperCab , while the Regular Cab long box front section extends ~22" beyond back of cab to the split point. The rear sections are identical from split point to rear spring shack mount, after which the long box is 6" longer. Ford attempted to prevent us from making SuperCab long box using OEM parts.​

The 6ft styleside bed directly interchanges with the flareside. You'll need a filler neck though from the appropriate bed, matching tailgate and bumper. (Bumper is aesthetic, not functional) You would want to keep the wiring/tail lights from original bed. There are subtle differences between years i.e. 2 bulb versus 3.​

Exceptions (this is Ford, there are always exceptions):​

Swapping 83-92 boxes of correct length onto '93-11 frames or vice versus is entirely possible, but the panel lines, primarily wheel well shape, isn't correct. It's an aesthetic thing, not functional.​

98+ Mazda boxes do not swap onto post '00 frames as the tail lights are 3 bulb, while '01+ Rangers are 2 bulb. (STX Ranger might have correct tail lights; I've not had one to check.) Ranger boxes swap onto '98+ Mazda frames if you get '93-'00 Ranger tail lights.​

The above is based on my restoring 21+ Rangers.

I'm always up to learning something new.​

*Small caveat: There are slightly different frame cross members in the '85-88 Rangers with rear fuel tank behind axle. But dual tank Rangers are almost unicorns.
**Yes, there are replacement sections for frames and they work. But they aren't blessed by Ford, so buyer/welder beware.

And apologies - hit send initially before ready, so massively edited to get it all correct.

p.s. I also didn't include the Latin America, Crew cabs with their 5' box (based on Supercab frame - cab is 12" longer and front of box has corresponding 12" removed, just like the F-150s)