Need schooled on da “Flareside” rangers yo!

[kansastj]

I’m old and listening to old school rap which inspired my title tonight. Also whatever happed to Trucking magazine? It was f’in awesome from when I was like a 1990’s 12 year old till I discovered the Kittie (if you know what I mean (). It was our monthly bible. Absolutely loved it.

Alright, I need schooled on the 96ish+ Ranger flareside…should I dare call it a step side? That’s humor folks (in high school teacher Bob’s voice). Na…you don’t get it, but we all had that teacher!

Lookin for a decent flare side single cable to build a semi low ridin tire smokin 351 stroker project for my kiddo and I. I can’t find a good one locally and I’m not traveling. I can find plenty of single cab / regular sides. Finally, my question to all the other 40 year olds that never grew up:

What are the specs / length on the flaresides? I’m looking to buy a single cab / regular bed Ranger with a good front and cab and then snag a flare side from a salvage yard. I’ve looked and they got pleanty locally. What length bed Ranger do I need to snag?

Thanks in advance and yea…I searched!

 

[2011Supercab]

There are only 3 types of beds
1. Short bed 6'
2. Long bed 7'
3. Flareside/Stepside 6'

To put a Flareside/Stepside bed on on a Shortbed truck , you need the bed, rear bumper and fuel filler hose.

You may need to keep the tail lights and wiring that came on the truck itself, they will fit any bed.

 

[pjtoledo]

old he says, over 40 he says, sheese, kids now days.

since it's going to be something custom get a straight side and put flares on it to accommodate fat rears.
the flare side fenders bolt on, they are some kind of plastic/fiberglass.
except for the step they match the cabs contour.

oh, around here, old is defined as over 70. there a couple of other guys that push it even farther.

 

[Ranger850]

Can't we just call it a "splash" bed to disambiguate the "flare vs. step"side debate?

 

[Curious Hound]

Can't we just call it a "splash" bed to disambiguate the "flare vs. step"side debate?

But the full-size trucks of that style are called flare side also. It's Ford's terminology.

 

[Curious Hound]

old he says, over 40 he says, sheese, kids now days.

since it's going to be something custom get a straight side and put flares on it to accommodate fat rears.
the flare side fenders bolt on, they are some kind of plastic/fiberglass.
except for the step they match the cabs contour.

oh, around here, old is defined as over 70. there a couple of other guys that push it even farther.

Will they bolt onto a fleet side bed? The actual flareside bed is narrower and the finerglasssudes bolt onto it.

Yes. They bolt on and they are fiberglass. I broke several before abandoning mine. If they were steel, my truck would probably still be wearing them.

 

[Lefty]

Sounds like a cool project, Enjoy!

 

[don4331]

Will they bolt onto a fleet side bed? The actual flareside bed is narrower and the finerglasssudes bolt onto it.

Yes. They bolt on and they are fiberglass. I broke several before abandoning mine. If they were steel, my truck would probably still be wearing them.

Well, you can make them connect to a Styleside box, but 1st you cut off the existing outer sheet metal; I'm in middle of process right now. And then they are wide enough for a dually. (I think it adds 14" to overall width of truck; we'll see when I get done).

@pjtoledo I think my younger brother's oldest is almost 40, so definition of old for OP needs work.

 

[19Walt93]

A flareside is not a step side, both have external fenders but a stepside has the step at the bottom of the side panel and a flareside has it higher up. Ford has called them flaresides for years.
Fleetside was a Chevy, by the way.

 

[pjtoledo]

Will they bolt onto a fleet side bed? The actual flareside bed is narrower and the finerglasssudes bolt onto it.

Yes. They bolt on and they are fiberglass. I broke several before abandoning mine. If they were steel, my truck would probably still be wearing them.

I don't think so. the top flange on style side inner walls face inward then down. some modding would be needed to mount the flaresides.
I haven't pulled a flareside yet, not sure exactly what the top flange looks like.

I have an idea bouncing around about pushing the flaresides out 4" per side to obtain a 48" width floor then install an F150 axle.
or possibly mount the flareside fenders on styleside metal and cut the inner wheel wells.
mostly a "what if" at this time.

 

[Ranger850]

But the full-size trucks if that style are called flare side also. It's Ford's terminology.

Sir, THIS IS A RANGER FORUM!

 

[Ranger850]

Billy Diesel 7.3L Ford Ranger Dually Diesel

www.therangerstation.com

Y'all talkin' bout this kinda stuff?

 

[Curious Hound]

Sir, THIS IS A RANGER FORUM!

Oh. I'm aware if that. But the point still stands. It's"flare side".

 

[Ranger850]

Oh. I'm aware if that. But the point still stands. It's"flare side".

Flareside Ranger = Splash

 

[Curious Hound]

Flareside Ranger = Splash

View attachment 102720

Believe what you want. Splash was a trim package. And while all Splashes may have had flareside beds, not all flareside Rangers were Splashes. Ford's terminology for that bed style is flareside. You're welcome to talk to Ford about changing the terminology.