Difference between a 96 and 99 Ranger bed?

[Rangstang]

Is the only difference between the styleside (standard) 6' bed in 98+ and the 93-97 the tail opening size and or shape? If I swap the tails to the earlier model, will it work or are the bulb socket holes different as well? I need a new bed and there are a lot more 93-97 out there... Thanks.

 

[4x4junkie]

No differences that I know of other than Ford added two additional bed bolts to the frame at some point maybe around 2004 I'm guessing. The tail light openings are the same. At most you might have to reuse your tail light housings and wire harness though, as Ford did switch from 3-bulb tails to two-bulb tails for '00.

 

[Rangstang]

No differences that I know of other than Ford added two additional bed bolts to the frame at some point maybe around 2004 I'm guessing. The tail light openings are the same. At most you might have to reuse your tail light housings and wire harness though, as Ford did switch from 3-bulb tails to two-bulb tails for '00.

I've actually got a 99 with the amber turn still, so that is the same. Reason I was thinking they are different is that car-part.com (Hollander interchange) only shows 98+ as compatible which we know is different for the harness and lenses as you had stated...

 

[4x4junkie]

93-'97 tails are different from '98 -'99 tails in that the colors are stacked in a different order ('97 is red-top, white-middle, amber-bottom... '98 is amber-top, red-middle, white-bottom). I do believe the bulb sockets will interchange between them, though I have not verified for sure.

 

[Rangstang]

93-'97 tails are different from '98 -'99 tails in that the colors are stacked in a different order ('97 is red-top, white-middle, amber-bottom... '98 is amber-top, red-middle, white-bottom). I do believe the bulb sockets will interchange between them, though I have not verified for sure.

You're correct, I was aware of the lenses being different, but that still doesn't account for Hollander's stating they're different as it states 1998 is interchangeable with 2001 which is a very different lens than 1998. Maybe Hollander just screwed up?

 

[4x4junkie]

Ah I follow you now... Yeah I don't know why that other than that someone must've screwed up (wouldn't be the first time... lol Anyone who's ever tried to buy brake or front axle parts for any '91-'94 Ranger 4WD and/or rear wheel bearings/seals for any Ranger 8.8" would know this well)

 

[96firephoenix]

I've confirmed this in the Junyard: 93- at least 2003 tail lights will all mount the same. S for the wiring, I don't think that the R-W-O and the O-R-W lenses can take the same harnesses just due to the length of the wires. the sockets are the same, just a matter of the pigtails won't reach.

 

[Rangstang]

I've confirmed this in the Junyard: 93- at least 2003 tail lights will all mount the same. S for the wiring, I don't think that the R-W-O and the O-R-W lenses can take the same harnesses just due to the length of the wires. the sockets are the same, just a matter of the pigtails won't reach.

Thanks for the additional input. One guy locally told me that the mounting holes were different for the bed. Any chance you've heard of this?

 

[kunar]

Thanks for the additional input. One guy locally told me that the mounting holes were different for the bed. Any chance you've heard of this?

No, in fact its generally agreed that the inner bed didn't change at all through out the entire 30ish year span of production.

 

[Rangstang]

No, in fact its generally agreed that the inner bed didn't change at all through out the entire 30ish year span of production.

Okay, I'll plan on a bed from a 93+ at this point and I'll let everyone know if it doesn't work.