What is the difference between Fleetside and Styleside Ford?
In Ford pickups, Fleetside and Styleside describe two distinct bed designs used in mid-20th-century models. The short explanation is that Styleside refers to the smooth, straight-sided bed, while Fleetside refers to a more contoured side profile with a different wheel-arch configuration. Ford used these terms in various years, but Styleside became the more common, later-era configuration.
What the terms mean in Ford trucks
The two terms describe the exterior profile of the truck bed and, to some extent, how the wheel arches interact with the cargo area. The difference is largely aesthetic, though it can influence the usable bed shape and restoration authenticity.
- Styleside: The standard, smooth exterior bed with straight side panels. It typically features a flatter overall side profile behind the cab and a more conventional look that many buyers associate with later-era F-Series trucks.
- Fleetside: A variant with a more contoured exterior side and distinct wheel-arch geometry. This design creates a different side silhouette and affects the interior bed geometry, which some fleets favored for certain configurations or fleets in period catalogs.
Because Ford’s cataloged bed options varied by year and model, the exact appearance and dimensions of Styleside versus Fleetside can differ from one truck to another. Enthusiasts should verify against period brochures or a specific VIN/build sheet to confirm the bed type for a given vehicle.
Historical context and practical considerations
For restorers and buyers, understanding which bed type a truck originally came with helps with authenticity, matching tailgates and fenders, and selecting period-correct interior fittings. The Styleside bed became the prevailing design in many later Ford pickups, while Fleetside appears in certain mid-century iterations and fleet-oriented configurations.
- Identify the exterior profile: Styleside shows clean, straight-edged side panels; Fleetside presents a more pronounced contour along the side and around the wheel arches.
- Examine the bed interior geometry: Styleside often correlates with a flatter floor and standard wheel arch placement; Fleetside may alter the floor geometry around the wheel wells, affecting cargo shapes.
- Check factory documentation: Brochures, VIN stamps, or build sheets sometimes list the bed type as a factory feature, which helps confirm authenticity.
In practice, Styleside became the dominant bed design for many Ford pickups in the mid-to-late 20th century, while Fleetside appeared in specific years and fleets. If you’re restoring a classic Ford truck, cross-check the year with period catalogs to ensure you’re matching the original bed design.
How to tell them apart on the ground
Look closely at the bed’s side profile: Styleside presents flat, uninterrupted outer panels, while Fleetside exhibits a more pronounced curvature or contour near the rear wheel wells. Also compare how the tailgate, rear fenders, and bed corners meet the side panels—their joints can hint at the bed type you’re looking at.
Summary
The Fleetside and Styleside bed designs describe two mid-20th-century Ford truck bed profiles. Styleside is the cleaner, straight-sided bed favored in many later models, while Fleetside is a more contoured variant with a distinct side silhouette that affects interior bed geometry. The choice mattered for aesthetics, authenticity, and cargo layout, and the exact availability varied by year and model. For collectors and restorers, verifying the correct bed type against original catalogs or build data is essential to preserving historical accuracy.
What does fleetside mean?
Fleetside refers to a type of truck bed with smooth, straight sides, where the wheel wells are located inside the bed itself, creating a continuous, flat-sided profile. This is the opposite of a "stepside" or "flareside" bed, which has external fenders. Chevrolet originally coined the term, but other manufacturers use their own names for this design, such as Ford's Styleside or GMC's Wideside.
Key characteristics of a fleetside bed
- Smooth, flat sides: The outer walls of the bed are smooth and run in a straight line from the cab to the tail gate.
- Internal wheel wells: The rear wheel arches are enclosed within the bed, not protruding on the outside.
- Greater cargo space: This design provides a wider, more uniform cargo area compared to stepside beds.
- Sleek appearance: Fleetside beds are often considered to have a more modern and streamlined look.
Fleetside vs. other bed types
- Fleetside vs. Stepside: A stepside bed has a distinct "step" in front of the rear wheel well, with the fenders protruding on the outside of the bed.
- Fleetside vs. Styleside: Fleetside is the Chevrolet term for a smooth-sided bed. Ford uses the term Styleside for its equivalent flat-sided bed.
- Fleetside vs. Flareside: Flareside is Ford's term for a bed that resembles a stepside, with external fenders.
What does styleside mean on a Ford truck?
Ford's full-size pickup trucks come with either flareside or styleside bed designs. Flareside designs feature rounded fenders that extend outward from the truck. Meanwhile, styleside designs have a flat-sided bed with wheel arches contained within.
What is the difference between styleside and fleetside?
Fleetside and Styleside are essentially the same style of truck bed, referring to a smooth-sided bed with the wheel wells integrated inside the bed area. The main difference is the manufacturer's terminology: Fleetside is typically the Chevrolet/GM term, while Styleside is the Ford term. The alternative is a "stepside" or "flareside" bed, which has protruding wheel wells on the outside of the bed and is less common.
This video explains the difference between fleetside and stepside truck beds: 1mBig Truck Lovers YouTube · May 12, 2025
Key differences
| Feature | Fleetside/Styleside | Stepside/Flareside |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Wells | Inside the bed, under a flat surface. | Outside the bed, on the exterior of the fenders. |
| Cargo Space | Wider, more usable, and flatter bed floor. | Narrower because of the wheel wells. |
| Appearance | Sleeker, more modern, and has smooth exterior walls. | More retro and distinct, with a more pronounced look. |
| Ease of Use | Easier to load bulky items and pallets due to straight walls. | Less practical for loading large, flat items. |
| Customization | More aftermarket parts and accessories available because it's the most common type. | Limited options for aftermarket parts. |
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You can watch this video to see the difference between a styleside and flareside truck bed: 54sItsss MarkusYouTube · Mar 27, 2020
What is a Ford Fleetside truck?
A fleetside truck bed is designed with straight outer panels that run flush with the wheel wells. This layout maximizes interior bed space because the fenders are built into the walls. Picture wide, flat sides and a seamless look that feels contemporary and practical.
