what wieghs more...a single cab flair side or a fleet side? assuming they both have the same options and drivetrain. thanks guys.

 

i believe flaresides are lighter, someone correct me if im wrong.

 

that is the impression i am under as well...but i don't know for sure.

 

Smaller box/bed, less weight.????

 

I can verify by test that the flareside IS lighter.

 

I have heard that the Flareside is lighter because the bed is made out of a composite material that is lighter than the conventional material used on the fleetside. Not sure what kind of material that is used, though. Anybody else know anything about this?

 

It would be difficult to get two trucks outfitted exactly the same, same amount of gas etc... especially when the numbers are as close as they are.

Here is the curb weight from Ford on both vehicles for '03
(this assumes a V6, stick, I guess)

FLareside - 4044
Styleside - 4032

I remember reading that the Flareside was slightly more back in '97 also so, I assume it was true for all the years of this Style.

It so close, under and over inflated tires could change the result.

 

I had mine on a set of scales and its weight was 48??. It's a 98 Flairside, 4.6/4r70w, supercab XLT, tow pac, bedliner.

Funny thing though, I had my 95 Dakota extended cab on the same scale and its weight was 45??. Not much difference for a smaller truck. It did however have the 318 and tow pac. If the scale is close to right the dakota was heavy for its size.

 

are fleetsides aka stylesides?

 

Yes, I think Chevy calls them Fleetsides.

 

How come?

 

For the same reason Chevy has Extended Cabs and Ford has Super Cabs, to be different while actually being the same, fooling the great unwashed.

 

uhmm, flareside I would say.

 

I would say styleside is heavier, there is more steel being used because of the ridges so that if you flattened it out there would be more surface area than a flairside.

 

Ford owns the term Supercab. I dont think Chevy could legally call its truck a supercab even if they wanted to.