I have a '99 Flareside supercab 4WD. A local JY has the stepside bed in same color. Both beds have very little damage, just chipped paint. Current bed is also scratched on floor but I was going to have a roll on liner put on. Stepside bed is already rhino lined.

As for hauling, I seldom haul anything as wide as the bed. In the '02 Ranger we have, I'd say that probably 90% of what we've hauled has fit between the wheel wells. In addition, I'm a 5'4" woman so sometimes find it hard to get loads strapped without throwing the tie-downs over the bed, which leads to scratched paint. The '02 was already banged up when I got her so I haven't worried much about her paint job. The stepside would make it easier for me to strap loads.

My brother knows the guy who runs the JY and is pretty sure he can get the stepside in trade for my bed with $50 or less boot added. So now I need to decide : Stepside or Flareside?

 

You'll need the Bed, Tailgate, Rear Bumper, Fuel Fill Pipe.

Your tail lights and wiring will work on the stepside.

The outside panels of the stepside are fiber glass, so instead of getting dents, you'll get cracks and holes when hit.

If you ever decide you want a canopy or hard tonneau cover for the stepside, your chances of finding one are slim.

 

My brother has talked to a buddy whose stepside Ranger was hit and totaled while the hard cover was off the bed to haul furniture. He offered to sell the cover (or trade for work) complete with everything needed to mount it.

Still haven't decided for sure if I want to swap to fiberglass over steel bed. However, if I did decide to, would it be wise to install a new fuel pump and have the gas tank resealed while the bed is off anyways? I figure a modern fuel pump will be more efficient than a 20+ yr old one and I'd hate to get everything done and then the pump go out.

 

For now at least I will have to keep the styleside bed. They got vehicles moved at the JY so I could get a good look at the stepside bed. Unfortunately, it appears to be warped. The front rail curves toward the cab and the tailgate doesn't shut properly. Truck wasn't wrecked, the motor was blown and owner decided to junk instead of fixing. 98 Ext cab.