I can say this - when my order came in last week, it was the first flareside my dealer had brought off the truck. He was very impressed. In fact, in talking to another salesperson he mentioned that the dealership should order more flaresides to offer on the lot.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3402

 

I just bought an FX4 Blazing Yellow Flareside. Love it.Gets alot of attention around here too.

 

I love the flaresides as well. The side steps are very convienient, especially with a deeper bed. Try reaching over the top for something in the bottom of the bed now. The tie downs are in a great place, although I would paint mine to match the truck.

I wish they had them available on the Lariat.

Maybe someone might want to trade truck beds sometime...

 

Another downside to the flareside is the reduction in volume, but I think Ford did a great job with the new one in minimizing that reduction. Just think of what the volume difference between a styleside 8' bed and a flareside 5.5' bed would be.

 

I prefer the flaresides, but I haven't seen one new flareside yet, I think that's weird

 

I love the flareside too. This is my 4th flareside F-150 since '97.

 

Last week I saw an STX flareside in Blazing Yellow monotone, and I gotta say, that was one sharp looking truck!! Untill I saw that truck, I hadn't consider the STX as a way of getting a monotone BY truck. Something about that color and the flareside that makes it especially s-w-e-e-t!! If I decided to order a BY FX4, I would seriously consider repainting the gray two-tone to BY.

 

Hey BigMac,
I'm on the eastcoast and it seems like it is taking forever just get a Vin on my scab flareside. You mean to tell me they only make that model in one factory . Ouch !!! any idea what the wait might be like ??

Thanks for the help Big. Let me know how you make out with that cover. I saw one in a basspro catalog and it looked sweet.

C-ya,
-S-

 

IF and when I change trucks, it will be a Flareside! I got my O3 Flareside because I need to use the bed to access the boat during launch/recovery, and the step-side works perfectly. I also like the Ford's instead of the Chev's because Ford has more space; it's a great compromise of style, function, and bed-volume. That only one factory produces flareside, and they're overloaded with Screw orders, seems to be a management faux-pas!
For some reason, the dealers in central Arkansas just won't take a "special" order, so I wait for the "right one" to drop in from the sky. I'm also waiting for the XLT interior to improve so I can get a "luxury" cab with a flareside, and not have to suffer the harsh ride of a 4x4 suspension.

 

Here's mine - I'm definately for flaresides!

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3301

 

You get your VIN when they decide when to build your truck -- so a few reasons maybe causing the delay -- first opt. content, second order date -- last the dealer has it and just has not told you yet --- Oh and Ford only has 2 of the 3 plants building the new F150 the 3rd is building the old til next model year --- it pervents a total stop of production

 

Hey, I would have 100% ordered the FlareSide bed if it had been an option on the SuperCrew Lariat!

Imagine spending all this money for a fully-loaded top-of-the-line truck and only having the option of styleside because it's a SCrew??!?

I think most people who buy SCrews buy it for the space for passengers and for the looks more than for a work truck. I mean, you're not even supposed to put plows on SCrews. And that's fine, or else we would have bought more of a "work truck F-150".

So then, doesn't it make sense that many of us SCrew buyers wouldn't mind the reduction in cargo space if they just gave us the option of having a FlareSide since we're not using it as a primary work truck anyways?

I am going to miss my '98's bed steps!

Ford, are you listening? Maybe for the "Next 2011 F-150"...

 

I agree. I really wanted a lariet, but I wanted Flareside more. I loaded up most of the options on the FX4, but I really wish I could have gotten the trip computer/MPG thing. I would have liked a Lariet Flareside.

 

I ordered my STX Red Flairside a week and a half ago. I couldn't find one in the whole Northwest but I think they would sell more if the dealers kept a few on the lots. I like the sporty look and the accent black tie downs. Also the flairside is more practical for hauling some things as those damn wheel wells always make it hard to pack.

 

Loved my last Flareside, but haven't seen any 04's yet, so went with this one. If I get another Flareside, it'll probably be what you see before hearing thunder..