1991 Ford Ranger regular cab, short bed, pics in my profile garage.
Going to do some body work and.... Resurfacing. 
The bed is pretty rusty and could be fixed, but a custom bed could be dropped easily. I won't buy one, I'll build it (or source it for cheap so I may drop a very small bundle of cash).
Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments? Solutions? Backhanded insults? Fronthanded insults? Questions? Uncalled-for threats? Awkward tangents? Helpful hints? Resolutions? Reconciliations? Constructive criticisms? Deconstructive criticisms?
Bring it.
my dad built a sweet flatbed with stake sides on his little 97 ranger for under $200. i'll try and snap a pic when i'm over there tomorrow.
yea, a flat bed... w/ stake sides... and a headache rack... and beer keg fuel tanks
... and stacks 
Bonus points for building one with drop sides like the Aussies do. After using a trailer built like this, I'm a fan.
This is an actual dealer accessory down under.
Flat bed rangers = nasty.
I've only seen one that was nice and it was a dually conversion.
I would find a nice step side and replace it with that.
RossD
UberDork
2/25/13 10:38 a.m.
If I were to build one, it would look like a M715 style, like this:
...for easy of construction. Square tubing, some sheet metal, welder and some time. It'll cost you a few dimes, but it'll outlast the lima propelling it.
Good ideas coming out of this. I think the Toyo bed would look good as small as it is.
Frank, the problem with step side is money. I think it may be expensive. I still want sides, so building something like the Toyo bed is as flat as it gets.
If you like the Toyota drop sides then here's some more inspiration in the same style:
I'd think finding another Ranger bed in decent condition would be easy enough, and a lot less work than fabricating a flatbed, but it depends on what you'll use the truck for - will a flatbed be more useful?
Very badass. I will probably move in that direction. Homemade. BUILD THREAD! 
EvanR
HalfDork
2/25/13 1:34 p.m.
Drive to the American Southwest, where rust-free Ranger beds sell for around $150. Swap beds, drive home. ??? Profit.
Thats not much of a profit... 
I have a really nice flat bed off a Ranger I'd part with for not a lot of cash. My Dad bought it for some long forgotten project and it's just sitting out behind one of my buildings now up on some RR ties.
Not sure it's worth it for the drive either, but I could take you some pics if you're interested.
In reply to oldopelguy:
Too far of a drive. I think I'll start planning.
A flatbed is always more useful! I'd go with a stakebed for ease of building sides to suit the job. My dad has a '56 chevy 3100 with flatbed and under bed toolboxes (in front of the wheels). Freakin' cool. Just make sure the bed is high enough to give the rear wheels plenty of wheel travel. For extra credit, build a dump kit with HF ram and electric hydraulic pump kit.
Darnit.... off to CL to find a crappy dakota. Again.
My flat bed chevy has tool boxes made under the bed like a saddle tank (but square) fore and aft the wheels. A healthy headache rack and a gooseneck flip ball. Also the tail lights and turns are protected by steel grate but accessible to change bulbs. I would recommend conduit incorporated in the bed for clean wiring. Also upgraded your springs while your in there. Junkyard add a leafs are my favorite.
Some more ideas....
It's not in my vehicle list. I sold it 6 years ago and bout it back yesterday. 74 C10
Based on the flatbeds in my backyard (awaiting rust repair) and the trailer I'm refurbishing...I'd recommend channel rather than tube.
There may be very good arguments NOT to use channel (and I would like to hear/discuss them)...but the reason I'm leaning toward c-channel is that the tubes rust from the inside and there's not a whole lot you can do about it. With a channel, at least you can paint all the surfaces (as well as inspect) to help prevent rust.
My theory is that trailers and flatbeds are probably built to sell...not necessarily to last a long time.
Frank,
The Ranger is a low sitting truck and I don't want to raise it. Its not doing any heavy duty work except maybe hauling a couple hundred lbs. My F150 has brand new springs that lifted the back end up and I do all the heavy work with that truck. I really like the way the Toyota bed noted above looked, although I was looking at the tool boxes ahead of the wheel and expecting to incorporate trailer style lights to keep it cheap.
Clem,
I agree with your anti-rust theory 100% and the bed will be surfaced with the same material as the rest of the body.
I'm also thinking about what can be salvaged from the current bed. I have no idea what the rust is like under the bedliner, but I don't think its bad. its real nasty around the wheel wells.
HAHAHA me likey.
Anyway, the flywheel needs to be tightened, so I'll have to take care of that before shes back on the road. I'll probably pull the bed off when I feel like doing that.
I have an engineer helping me out. I'm planning on ending up with something like this: 
Differences, bars over the back window, may be stake sides. No, I'm not doing stacks.
Looks good. Are you gonna give it drop sides? Dumpable bed?
Edit: Also I just ran across this. How about a crane for your pickup bed?
