I like the smaller look and feel of flare side rangers =)

[85_Ranger4x4]

I haven't used a fleetside in years but aren't they also narrower than a sheet of plywood?

As far as I know ow the wheel houses are the same distance apart, you just lose room ahead and behind them.

Also greatly complicates putting a topper on it for those so inclined.

 

[pjtoledo]

I had a step-side and liked the style. Mine was a '98 2 door with 3.0 and alot of miles so I replaced it with an '01 4 door straight bed. I was doing alot of house remodeling and the step side bed is a bit narrower which made carrying sheets of ply and drywall a bit less convenient.
But I''ve been looking for a replacement for my now rusty '01 and a stepside is on my list. I like the fact that the bed sides are fiberglass.

but the inner bed sides are not, and are very prone to rot.

 

[pjtoledo]

As far as I know ow the wheel houses are the same distance apart, you just lose room ahead and behind them.

Also greatly complicates putting a topper on it for those so inclined.

yep, same 40" between the wheel houses.
the tail gates are less than 48", I'm thinkin' 44".
a topper on a flareside results in a massive blind spot where it angles out to the cab.

 

[Lefty]

As far as I know ow the wheel houses are the same distance apart, you just lose room ahead and behind them.

Also greatly complicates putting a topper on it for those so inclined.

I think my friend had a 2002 flareside with a topper. He got rid of it.

 

[97RangerXLT]

As for putting a 4x8 sheet of plywood in a step side... it is going to hang out over one side and past the tailgate. on a fleet side whether it is the 7 foot bed or the 6 foot bed, it will hang out over the tailgate but fit between the bed rails and on top of the wheel wells. you can also strategically cut and place 2x4s in front and back of the wheel wells into the indentations of the inner bed wall so that the 4x8 sheet will lay flat (and stick out the tailgate)

AJ

 

[19Walt93]

As far as I know ow the wheel houses are the same distance apart, you just lose room ahead and behind them.

Also greatly complicates putting a topper on it for those so inclined.

No it didn't, if by topper you mean a cap. I bought fiberglass caps because they look better and make less wind noise. If I was going to take the cap off very often, I'd have bought an aluminum cap because they're a lot lighter.
This is what I'm calling a cap, is it what you call a topper?

 

[19Walt93]

View attachment 104299

I always thought these were cool.

That's the old step side box, and I liked them, too, especially the 6 ft ones.
I really wanted a new 77-79 short box, step side F150 with a 400 and a NP435 but my wallet vetoed it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

No it didn't, if by topper you mean a cap. I bought fiberglass caps because they look better and make less wind noise. If I was going to take the cap off very often, I'd have bought an aluminum cap because they're a lot lighter.
This is what I'm calling a cap, is it what you call a topper?
View attachment 104320

Yes.

It is easier to find one for a longbed than it is a flareside. And its not that easy to find one for a longed.

I suspect limited production plus most takers were going for the sporty look which runs counter to having a topper/cap.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That's the old step side box, and I liked them, too, especially the 6 ft ones.
I really wanted a new 77-79 short box, step side F150 with a 400 and a NP435 but my wallet vetoed it.

Yeah the 8ft stepside. Rare as shit nowadays. Always reminded of the old power wagons from the 40's

 

[19Walt93]

Yes.

It is easier to find one for a longbed than it is a flareside. And its not that easy to find one for a longed.

I suspect limited production plus most takers were going for the sporty look which runs counter to having a topper/cap.

It makes sense that Ranger Flareside caps would be getting scarce, the box went out of production during the 2004 model year. It's hard for me to beleive that was 20 years ago.

 

[Ramcharger90]

I always wanted to do another V8 swap using an 98 with a 05 front end and a later year madza bed or a step side

 

[Uncle Gump]

Cap... topper... shell... bonnet... canopy... bed cover... camper top... camper shell... probably a couple I'm missing...

 

[Ranger850]

Cap... topper... shell... bonnet... canopy... bed cover... camper top... camper shell... probably a couple I'm missing...

Canopy is the one that gets my goat. Unless it's made of some type of loose Fabric. I worked with all types of Fabrics to make canopies for almost 20 years in the awning business, so when I hear "canopy" i automatically think "Fabric" not aluminum or fiberglass camper shells.
Edit : BUT I understand WHY one would call it that. Canopy as a noun means "to cover"

 

[bobbywalter]

sno-ranger loves his canopy....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Canopy is the one that gets my goat. Unless it's made of some type of loose Fabric. I worked with all types of Fabrics to make canopies for almost 20 years in the awning business, so when I hear "canopy" i automatically think "Fabric" not aluminum or fiberglass camper shells.
Edit : BUT I understand WHY one would call it that. Canopy as a noun means "to cover"

Tractor canopies come in all materials. Metal, fiberglass or canvas.