98-12 Ranger bed differences

[Rolow]

So I’m getting conflicting information about bed differences. I have a 2011 Sport that needs a new bed.
I know the Stx has a different bed
I know there is differences in the tailgated and tail lights.
I know some bed have wheel flares and some don’t
I know there are 2 different wheel flare styles.

Are the frame mounting holes the same for all years?
Are all body lines the same?
Are the gas filler door and mounts the same?
Are the beds with flares and with out flares the same except for the flare holes?
Are the mounting holes the same in the bed for both style wheel flares?
How hard is it to mount 2011 flares on a bed that never had flares?

 

[don4331]

Adding to your response:

The 83-92 boxes have the same mounting holes*, but body lines are different.
*At some point - '10, Ford went from 6 bolts mounting bed to frame to 8 10 bolts. Beds with fewer holes can be mounted with just 6 bolts; for those with 8 10 holes, you probably want to seal the holes some how, i.e. drill couple holes in frame to match later frame.
The 93-97 boxes have the same body lines as 98-11.
Mazda box and STX box are same.
There are 2 lengths - 6' and 7'.
The tailgates for styleside and STX will interchange from '93-'11

There are subtle differences in Ford logo locations/Mazda badges but all the mounts/body lines are same.​

The stepside tailgate is narrower as is associated bumper
Gas filler doors/mounts are same between all boxes, but.

Filler hose is different between Styleside, STX and Stepside​

The mounting holes for the older/smaller flares are on fender lip; those for larger flares are in fender sides.
I believe there are actually 3 styles of flares: Oldest are 'rubber' look, mid are small plastic, and newest are large plastic with fake bolt heads.
Mounting older flares can be done with self-tapping sheetmetal screws. I add dab of Silicon to bolt/hole as rust prevention measure.

Easily done, one would need to look real careful to see holes even without flares.​

Mounting new flares requires drilling ?7? hole ~1/4" in fender side; then I apply dab of paint as rust prevention.

Slightly more difficult as you are drilling larger hole. Also, more risky as if you get it wrong, holes in side of truck would be visible without flares​

Tailgate lights are same, '93-00, then from '01-11. You need to have the correct wiring harness for the lights you are using.

Did that help?

Corrected date for additional bolts - it is the '10-11s and it was 10 not 8 they went to.

 

[97RangerXLT]

So I’m getting conflicting information about bed differences. I have a 2011 Sport that needs a new bed.
I know the Stx has a different bed
I know there is differences in the tailgated and tail lights.
I know some bed have wheel flares and some don’t
I know there are 2 different wheel flare styles.

Are the frame mounting holes the same for all years?
Are all body lines the same?
Are the gas filler door and mounts the same?
Are the beds with flares and with out flares the same except for the flare holes?
Are the mounting holes the same in the bed for both style wheel flares?
How hard is it to mount 2011 flares on a bed that never had flares?

Here is what you need to know...

Any 6' will physically change out with any 6' from 1983 to 2012. The same goes for 7' beds. 1983 to 1992 have the same body lines and will interchange seamlessly in those years. 1993 to 2012 have the same bodylines and will interchange seamlessly within those years. You can change between the two body styles and they will bolt up but will look odd..

A stepside bed will interchange with any other stepside bed or 6' bed. If changing to a fleetside bed or vice versa, the matching bumper and fuel filler neck will also need to be swapped out.

There will be minor trim differences and tail light differences, but those can be addressed fairly easily. All 93 to 2012 taillights interchange and most wiring harnesses will work with those tails. You may have to swap out the harness from your existing bed.

AJ

 

[delaware74b]

My '04 has only 6 bed bolts. According to Dorman, all Rangers (83-11) use the same bed bolt set. Ford's site says 98-11 use the same bolts (2 long, 4 short).

 

[racsan]

Taillights are also interchangeable between a step side bed and a regular bed.

 

[Rolow]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I can’t believe how much trouble I’m having just finding any bed let alone one with the newer flares.
Between body shops and junkyards I’m getting a lot of conflicting information.
Some ay 93-11 some say 98-11 some say 06-11 some say 09-11

I just want something that is going to accept my newer style flares and all the body lines match up.

What years will have the same flares as my 2011?

 

[Ranger850]

I would listen to these guys, before the body shop. The people here know RANGERS better than most people. The guys at the body shop know what years the cars made major changes to the body style. The thing is that the beds didn't change as much as the cabs did. So where cab parts are not as interchangeable over the years, the beds are.

 

[97RangerXLT]

The *only* thing that changed on the beds between 1993 and 2011 is the taillights and ford emblem and the addition of 2 more bolts in the later years that don't mean anything for your purposes. that is it. the wiring harness and taillights can be transferred from your old bed if the new ones are different or you don't like the style. 5 minute job, maybe 10 if you are moving slow that day.

AJ