Issues with trading beds 99 and 2003

[ChargerOnDavins]

We both have black rangers, I looked up the paint and it's the same code,

My worry is the tail lights, I will keep my factory wiring, correct? The tail lights bolt up just fine both ways?

I know we will trade bumpers, so I'll have to paint the gray/chrome xlt bumper to look more like my black edge bumper.

I have also read that fuel necks work just fine, and also that they need to be traded.

How long/how hard is it to make the trade? I've always wanted the full bed.

Also, heard issues between 1997 and 1998+ body lines being slightly different, I won't have this issue?

I'm not top handy, and would hate to lose my LED perfectly tinted tails between stepside and regular bed.

Thanks sorry I did do some homework, and searched before I made thread. Just lots of conflicting information!

 

[06RangerXLT]

as far as i know its the same bed and the same lights. but if not, thats ok. just try your lights first, the bed is held in by 6 torque bolts (6 point not sure what size) and a groud strap. dont forget to disconnect wires. pulling the bolts is the hardest part. bring a BIG ratchet. we put a pipe on a half in to turn them. and that was on an 08 (no rust)

looking about an hour if your quick, if not, an hour per bed is more like it.

 

[shane96ranger]

I'm not top handy, and would hate to lose my LED perfectly tinted tails between stepside and regular bed.

So you are swapping flareside and styleside beds with someone? You may find issues with the fuel filler necks. One is listed as longer than the other (can't remember which), so you may need to swap the filler necks also. Seems like someone disproved that theory though.

And as far as the tail lights go, I think you'll be fine. Just keep your wiring and lights you already have.

 

[mp3deviant721]

Your 99 has a 3 bulb taillight. The 03 will have a two bulb. You can convert your 99 to a two bulb using a trailer light signal converter box. Or just keep the taillights from your truck.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i think that if u swap the bed with its own wiring ull have to use the 99 tails, swap the wiring so u keep your 02 wiring in the new bed. any tail lights will fit on any ranger bed (93-11)
the body lines will match, they are the same since 93.
the style side bed might have a longer filler neck tho. so its better that u swap em too.

 

[Cadger]

the bed is held in by 6 torque bolts (6 point not sure what size)

The 6 bolts that hold in the bed are Torx t-55's.

 

[ChargerOnDavins]

Ok thanks guys... how do I keep my wiring so I can keep my tails? Is there like a master plug area that you unplug this stuff from? I apologize for my ignorance, I am not too handy!

 

[06RangerXLT]

unplug from the tail lights and follow it to the back of the cab.

 

[stegomon]

any tail light from 93-2011 will work.... when i slapped my step side on to replace my fleet side...i just put in my stock tail lights and called it a day

 

[nate09]

There is a harness that stays on the bed IIRC, unplugs from the frame rail (keep yours to retain your tail lights). If you're going from a fleet side to a step side you'll have to swap filler necks (the fleet side filler neck is longer).

 

[Sunk]

Just in front of the rear bumper there are two plugs. On mine they kind of run across the rear cross member and can be at least partially seen with the bumper in place.

 

[mp3deviant721]

You'll know what to do for the taillight harness when the bed comes off. You actually have to disconnect the taillight harness to completely remove the bed anyhow. I kind of forgot that when I wrote my reply above.

 

[ChargerOnDavins]

Thx guys!