Flareside vs Styleside

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May 8, 2001 | 08:28 AM

cluelessblonde

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Flareside vs Styleside

I will probably buy a new F150 regular cab short bed with Sport and Convenience package in the next month or two and would like to know if there is any inherent difference in the styleside and flareside beds other then 1) The flare side costs more and carries less and, 2) My daughter thinks the flare side has cool curves. Is it just a cosmetic thing or are there some significant design difference? I noticed that the payload rating is lower with the flareside.

Also, if you order with a bed liner, is it underrail or overrail.

Thanks

May 10, 2001 | 09:44 PM

scorpio71

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Flareside vs Styleside

I think the Flareside looks better, but that is a personal choice. I do not know why the payload is different, but I wouldn't think it is enough of a diff. to really matter. As far as any advantages....I don't think there is any. I like my Flareside and you are not losing any real usable cargo space.

As far as bed liners, you can get both, but the under the rail is more common. I would install a spray-in liner and not a ready made plastic liner. The Plastic liners get trash, dirt and gravel between tham and the bed. This will act just like sand paper against your bed. The spray or roll on liners are permanent, but they look better and protect you bed better. I have a Herculiner roll on bedliner in my truck. It works great.

One thing you might consider before purchasing a truck is this...
There are more offerings for the Styleside as far as bed caps, taillight covers, etc. than the Flareside.

Hope this helps

Scorpio71
1997 F150 4x4 4.6/Auto FlareSide

May 11, 2001 | 04:13 AM

jerryrigged

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Flareside vs Styleside

I love the looks of the flareside, but, I can't give up the cargo space. I stuff 2 dirtbikes and a weeks worth of camping supplies, food, beer, tools, gas, gear and clothing, in my styleside. There is no chance I could get all that in a flareside. I used to own a trailer, but it was eating up storage space in the garage. I don't think the flareside looks quite right when you put a cap on it, though.

May 14, 2001 | 11:43 AM

lallen

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Flareside vs Styleside

Personally, I love the flaresides, and ford did a great job on them this time around. I have 95 reg cab, shorty styleside, but I wish it was a flareside.

That said, I believe that the newer boxes are fiberglass, and that it is more expensive to insure a flareside than a styleside because of this (if you damage the box, you need a whole new one). Again, that depends on your insurance co. That could also explain different payload rating on them as well.

Also, 4x4 is more expensive to insure than a 4x2. I pay $2600 a year for my 95 4x4, that is full coverage.

But, when I go to do it all over again, it will be a flareside, in Deep Wedgewood Blue!

Jul 1, 2001 | 11:26 PM

pacodiablo

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Flareside vs Styleside

I hav 99 F-150 with Flairside and Wedgewood Blue paint, Flairside works fine for me.

Jul 1, 2001 | 11:52 PM

brud98

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Flareside vs Styleside

If I remember right the flareside is a couple inches longer. Might be a big deal if ya have a short garage like I do. Another point is a flareside would be harder to clean. That's my 2 cents.

Jul 3, 2001 | 11:34 AM

1BADRIDE

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From: southwest michigan

Flareside vs Styleside

Hey,
I currently own a 2000 F150 4x4 ext. cab Flareside and I love it! It is only about 6" narrower than a standard bed and looks awsome. As for the bedliner I would not get own from the factory, I just installed a Herculiner bedliner in my truck. It takes about 3 hours to do and will help protect your investment from rust. Hope this helps.

1BADRIDE