1974 Ford Bronco Ranger with original Hot Ginger paint, priced like a rough project

Why we picked it

This is a 1974 Bronco in Ranger trim with a 302 V8, a column-shift 3-speed manual, 4WD and a 3.50 limited-slip rear axle. It still wears its original Hot Ginger Metallic paint. The seller says it has under 74,000 original miles, that no body work has ever been done, and that the panels and frame are only lightly rusted. It is a private sale at $14,000, it has historic plates, and the original jack comes with it.

Uncut, unrestored early Broncos are what builders want, because so many were trimmed for big tires or patched with filler. Project Broncos have sold for anywhere from about $11,500 to $31,750 over the last two years. A complete Ranger with original paint and no body work should land toward the middle of that range, not the bottom. The catch is that the listing says the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and exhaust are currently not installed, even though it calls the drivetrain complete. Treat it as a roller with the parts in boxes until you see otherwise.

The value check

The seller is asking $14,000. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $11,500–$31,750, so the middle of the market is about $21,625. That put this car 35% under.

Project-grade first-gen Broncos have sold for $11,500 (1973, Jul 2024), $13,750 (1972, Mar 2025) and $31,750 (1976, May 2025); highly original drivers bring $41,000-$69,000. At $14,000 this one is about 35% under the $21,625 project midpoint, though it sits near the low end of the range.

Where the numbers come from:

• 1976 Bronco project, sold $31,750 (May 2025)
• 1973 Bronco 302 project, sold $11,500 (Jul 2024)
• 1972 Bronco 302 project, sold $13,750 (Mar 2025)

What to check

• The listing contradicts itself: the drivetrain is called complete, but the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and exhaust are listed as not installed. Confirm every part is there.
• No VIN is listed and the title status isn't stated. Check the VIN (U15GL...) and confirm a clean title in the seller's name, in person, before paying any deposit.
• Early Bronco rust spots: the floor pans, rocker and quarter-panel bottoms, rear wheel-well lips, cowl and windshield frame, door bottoms, and the frame near the spring hangers.
• The listing gives two zip codes (48026 and 48088), so confirm where the truck is.
• The seller says it runs; ask to hear it start, and check compression on a 302 that has sat for years.

Making it drive like new

A good base for a mild modernization: keep the uncut body, add front disc brakes (if not already done) and a dual-reservoir master cylinder, rebuild the Dana 44/9-inch with fresh seals, and consider an EFI conversion on the 302 with a Ford 5-speed or a kept-original 3-speed. A Wild Horses or Duff power steering box with a modern steering shaft and new coil springs and shocks will make it a confident daily driver without cutting the fenders.

4 builders make a complete chassis for the 1966–77 Early Bronco. Compare them side by side, along with what it takes to stiffen the factory frame.