I apologize up front if this already has a thread, which if the case please guide me there thx.

I want a extended cab flare side. So I assume I could swap a flare side bed onto a short bed fleet side truck. I don't think it would be a direct bolt up given the gas tank configuration ? Hopefully someone can shed some light on this swap to help me focus. thx Bill

 

The bed will bolt right on. You will likely need the fill tubes from a Flareside as well. However, it should be noted that the bottom of the bed and the bottom of the cab will NOT line up if you don't have the factory fiberglass running boards.

 

Are you referring to the step and the running board as the same ?

 

Flaresides came with Factory fiberglass running boards to get into the CAB. They hang down about 4" below the CAB. The flare side bed is designed to flow with the factory running boards. If you do NOT have the factory running boards the bed will be about 4" below the bottom of the CAB

 

Okay, I understand that now.. So there is a step side also right. Thru the 80's which doesn't have the fiberglass bed or the running boards, has steel sides, fenders and steps. And if I matched up the same years or with in that body style a step side bed would line up ?

 

Unfortunately the CORRECT 80s bed will be Very difficult to find(they were know as flare sides too, it is a FORD thing. Chevy have the "step side")

The 80-86 fenders will not match your body lines. In 87 they changed the body lines on the fender but the rest of the bed is the same from the 80-86 years. Here is the problem. 87 was the ONLY year they made the steel bed with the correct fenders. They did NOT make a flare side from 88-91. In 92 they flare side reappeared with the full fiberglass bed sides. They ran that particular bed from 92-96.

it would be MUCH easier to find the factory fiberglass running boards to match the 92-96 flare side bed than finding the 87 ONLY flare side fenders

 

Thanks for the help. Helps me focus and much appreciated. Bill

 

(I had to register an account to be able to reply)

My daily driver is a '95 F150 XL regular cab, that the previous owner installed a 1984 Flareside box. Hopefully, I can answer any questions you might have.


Off the top;
- I did not do the conversion, so I don't know how tough it was, but I have read that it is a 'direct fit'.
- the truck originally had 2 fuel tanks, but the rear one has been removed. I don't know if there was a more serious issue, or if it was the fact that the flareside fenders only have one filler (at least mine only have one).
- I have trouble with slow fuel-filling, but I suspect it is because the vent line was not installed properly. I don't know if he used the 84 or 95 hardware.
- As noted in the other posts, the 9th-gen flaresides were quite different, sort of a hybrid, that included fibreglass and a step under the cab, as well as fleetside taillights. 7th-gen are closer to the old-style, although the top of the box sides is flat instead of 45º.
- As far as looks go, the fenders match up great! The styling line across the top of the front-fender, through the doors, lines up with the top of the fibreglass fenders. One key difference is the shape of the wheel cutout. 7th gen vehicles have a 'rectangular' shape, where 9th gen are round. Only an F-series fan would likely notice.
- One bonus Item the PO did, was to modify the rear step-bumper to match the narrow width of the box. It looks good, and they are more functional than the traditional 'plain' bumper.
- There is a very minor difference in the back of the cabs, where the step is. On my 95 there is a gap where road dirt can come up on the step, due to the way the back of the cab metal is cut. I have an 80 flareside as well, and I can see the cab has more metal, which blocks this.

 

This is mine with the running boards missing (rusted off!)

 

You could just get the flareside box and trim the bottom off. Or do it the right way and try and find some matching running boards and brackets.
Yes everything will fit except the fuel neck, need a flareside unit. (Tracked mine down in Arizona).

 

NOT exactly the best pic with it being a black truck on a dark surface and not being well lit

 

Tee hee hee! I can see that the cab and bed don't line up well in those pictures even on my phone.
Great post though!

 

Hi i never noticed the bed being lower until you said it Dieselbrad and we have a 92, i guess the running boards hide it good lol.