Hi guys. I am new to the forum. I think my question has an answer however I am just asking. I have 2003 Ford Ranger Style Side bed. I wanted t swap it to a Flare side (stepside). Does the bed line up on the chassis frame? Let me know or is there a thread that has this answer. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, you can do that swap, the mounting holes for the bed/frame line up, Rangers only had 1 size bed, 6ft, regular cab or extended cab(1 exception, Long Bed Ranger, 7ft)
You will need to change rear bumper to the narrower step side version
And get the Step side Filler hose, its shorter, not sure if you can just cut the longer one down to fit

I assume you know the tailgate is narrower as well

The taillight sizes are the same, so swap-able, I mention this because 1999 and earlier Rangers used whats called a 3 wire tail light, separate turn signal bulb in the rear
In 2000 and up, Ranger's switched to a 2 wire tail light, no separate turn signal bulb
This has to do with the trucks wiring to the back, so easier to change the tail lights to match the truck, lol

If you get a 2000 and up step side then this would not be an issue with your 2003 Ranger

 

Slightly different question - I have an '08 XLT extended cab and need to replace the bed. A friend saw an '02. If it's a 6 foot bed, should it be OK?

 

Yes, it will be OK, 1993 thru 2011 beds are the same, regular cab or extended cab, all 6ft
And there is "step-side" and regular beds, step-side has narrower tail gate and bumper, but can also be used

There were some "Long Bed Rangers", regular cab only, and different rear frame, 7ft, won't fit on 6ft bed frame

It may only have 6 bolts holding it to the frame, 2008 may have 8 bolts, so just leave the extra 2 bolts out, the 6 hole bed will line up fine with 8 bolt frame