ranger step side not splash

[LeftHander]

My '88 stepside bed looks the same as your '88, at least for the parts I can see. Mine has that same rear step area. It also has the twin tube bumper, which mounts through a couple slots below the tailgate. You seem to have some plastic covers over this area.
Graphics are different, and mine has a lot of areas covered with diamond plate that I haven't seen on the others in this thread. They are cut and formed to fit the cab and bed body. The only addition to the outside that my dad added was a full sheet of aluminum diamond plate that covers the top of the bed opening. I think it cost him $300-$400 twenty years ago. Thick enough that I stacked a full set of mounted tires with a couple spares on top, that I brought home with me.

I'll try to remember to take some photos when the sun is up. Raining for a couple days.

 

[jovibuilt]

Maybe they modified the bed and ditched the rear step so they could add the wrap around style tube bumper?

Jim I dont think so. I have two of each style. And the lip/flare around the wheel well is totally different. Different enough for me to think it a different mold. The ones without the step came from Choo Choo customs in TN. That is what a older man that worked for the local ford dealership remembered. The molds that Pete picked up for me in MI also came with a mold for the inside box. Huge and on wheels. Maybe one day I will have time to make a bed. Right now I am making patch panels with them. To fix some shoddy repair on two of the beds I have.

 

[Kthwht00]

Rare Southern Coach first gen stepside FOR SALE RIGHT NOW on ebay...
1988 Ford Ranger XLT | eBay

 

[Shran]

Rare Southern Coach first gen stepside FOR SALE RIGHT NOW on ebay...
1988 Ford Ranger XLT | eBay

I'm guessing it's your truck since you and @LeftHander have the same IP address?

Cool truck and good luck with the sale. It's very similar to my '87. Are your silver graphics painted on or are they vinyl? Mine are painted on. The bed on yours looks very similar to mine except I don't have the metal floor... I'm curious what the history on Southern Coach is, from what I was able to find, RDI (the company that made mine) supplied beds or molds for beds to another company. Funny that the paint scheme on yours is so similar to mine though.

 

[LeftHander]

Shran,
are you sure yours is paint? I had an '88 supercab 4x4 in the early 90's that had some mild stripe graphics on the sides that was a decal kit from Ford. They were required to be clearcoated after installation, IIRC. Might have been a FX4, or something like that. Your stripes would be a LOT of paint work, which would be expensive. I'm pretty sure the silver on my Southern Coach Ranger is paint, as that would be fairly easy to spray, and I have never seen Ford make a decal kit like that.

 

[Shran]

Shran,
are you sure yours is paint? I had an '88 supercab 4x4 in the early 90's that had some mild stripe graphics on the sides that was a decal kit from Ford. They were required to be clearcoated after installation, IIRC. Might have been a FX4, or something like that. Your stripes would be a LOT of paint work, which would be expensive. I'm pretty sure the silver on my Southern Coach Ranger is paint, as that would be fairly easy to spray, and I have never seen Ford make a decal kit like that.

Yep, the graphics on mine are for sure painted on... I'm repainting the bed, they just sand right off. It would have been pretty easy to paint that back in the 80's before clear coat was regularly used... Mask off, scuff and spray you color of choice over the OEM single stage. Quite a bit more involved to do that these days.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Another for sale: https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...e=marketplace_search&referral_story_type=post

 

[Kthwht00]

Rare Southern Coach Ranger has been relisted on ebay. Don't miss the opportunity to own one of the few remaining...
1988 Ford Ranger XLT | eBay

 

[Lefty]

I was just fine until I saw this. Now I want one bad.

 

[dlpatte]

I have a 2003 Ford Ranger (Extended Cab) Edge Stepside. (Not aftermarket.) Will work on providing Pictures

 

[dlpatte]

Went out and took Pictures

 

[Lefty]

Went out and took Pictures

This is a Ranger Edge which is an entirely different beast. The Splash was made with a slightly lowered suspension. The Edge is lifted, made with a torsion bar instead of coil springs on the front end. The hood is fiberglass with a distinctive crease down the center. It may or may not have the old Splash fiberglass flareside bed. The interiors do not come with carpeting.

 

[Curious Hound]

The Splash was made with a slightly lowered suspension.

While this is definitely an Edge, not all Splashes were lower. My 4x4 Splash was definitely higher than a standard height Ranger.

 

[Lefty]

While this is definitely an Edge, not all Splashes were lower. My 4x4 Splash was definitely higher than a standard height Ranger.

Yes. I stand corrected. Personally I like that body style better when raised

 

[PetesPonies]

I just wish everyone would stop using a Chevy term . . . to describe a Ford.