Have a 96 ranger single can long bed it needs a tailgate I find a step side for cheap I figured it probably wouldn't fit but figured I'd ask in case it does

 

It will NOT fit. The stepside bed is narrower.

 

Will it jusnt not fit on the frame?

 

The tailgates are different widths it has nothing to do with the frame. Now if you were to swap the entire bed it would fit fine.

 

I think we now have two questions here.

A step side bed is more narrow than the regular style side bed, so the step side tailgate will not be wide enough. A step side bed is 6' long. It will fit in place of a 6' style side bed (complete bed swap). However, the OP stated LONG bed. A long bed is 7' long, so a step side bed WILL NOT FIT on HIS truck.

BTW: Ford's nomenclature is FLARE SIDE and STYLE SIDE... GM's name is STEP SIDE and FLEET SIDE. We all use them interchangeably and know what the poster is talking about. Just some trivia for ya! :)

 

Thank you M Howard. You clarified things that I didnt even know to ask about. LOL Thats how lost I was.

 

You're welcome, Dion! That is what the forums are for! :)

 

I have a 2004 Ford Ranger need a tailgate 🤔what other years fit

 

1998 and up will all fit. Providing you know what bed you have... flare side or style side. 2004 was the last year for the flare side, so it could be either one since I don't know your truck. I'm assuming you have a style side, as there were far more of those than the flare side. HTH