Ranger vs Explorer

[BrookTrout76]

Guys,

I’m partial to original Broncos.

Always been a Ranger Fan but dig the Explorers too.

Question, given you had an Explorer and a Ranger of equivalent condition, which is worth more?

It seeems like the Explorers are harder to come across? Maybe less built?

Thanks for your input!

 

[House]

I don't think either is worth more.
Definitely less Explorers than Rangers, but the Rangers actually have more "Gucci" parts on them.

 

[Scoop]

I think a very nice stock and mostly original Ranger will have a premium over an Explorer or base model in comparable condition to the right buyer. The more mods, the less any of the packages will add any value.

 

[House]

I, myself, would pay more for an Explorer with the original color matched rubber floor mat in it than I would for a Ranger with carpet...

 

[Hotrodjohn]

It doesn't seem to matter on the high dollar Mecum sales whether its a base, a Sport, Explorer or Ranger.

 

[JGbronc]

I, myself, would pay more for an Explorer with the original color matched rubber floor mat in it than I would for a Ranger with carpet...

I would too, but I agree with Scoop completely.

 

[sanndmann3]

I loved my old 93 Ranger STX. Was the 1st vehicle I bought that didn't already have 100,000 miles on it... A week after I bought it was out at SilverLake Sand Dunes pounding sand... ;D

 

[PickleJar]

I’m not anybody and don’t know anything. But I would always go explorer because they are few. Lots of rangers, not explorers. I know I’ve said this before on other threads but I have a serious hard on for an explorer but know I have little chance of ever owning, both because of money and where do you find one. I think rangers definitely had nicer things but for whatever reason the explorer screams to me, especially those sexy years they had those explorer stripes...

 

[hyghlndr]

I am an Explorer fan and have had more than a dozen. The unique things like the color match floor mats and fabric insert seats make originals I think harder to find than the Rangers. Though that said, I worry more about the condition of the Bronco than I do about the option package.

 

[BrookTrout76]

Thanks. Value the input. All in the eye of the beholder I guess.

I dig them both and I am with you PickleJar. Saw an explorer at the Kissimmee Meacum and thought I might try and finance. Looked at all the requirements for absentee bidder- 50% deposit due immediately and not a letter of guaranteed plus 12% buyers fee and that’s not gonna happen!

 

[Scoop]

Like I said, “the right buyer”. Those who really know Broncos will recognize the rarity of the Explorer package and value it. The Ranger package is more known by the average Bronco buyer.

Funny thing is my trail rig (highly modified so no value add) is built from 2 Broncos - one Explorer and one Ranger! It is registered under the Ranger VIN but I still have the Explorer glove box door.

 

[sprdv1]

Get what you can afford to drive fix enjoy and do what you got to do with

 

[Mac2Night]

I personally am partial to the Bronco Explorers too. I've owned a total of 4 (two '73 blue, '73 orange and '76 copper w/stripes) so far and am restoring a blue '73 (love the random stripes seat covers used in '73) as my weekend and occasional daily driver. It may have been the hardest truck I've ever had to let go, but I recently sold an original '73 orange-on-orange Explorer that I absolutely loved . Bills and family took precedence though.....

* last photo is of my former '76 copper Explorer

 

[BrookTrout76]

Mac,

You’ve been fortunate to own some really nice Broncos. Thanks for posting those pics.

That’s the way I like them! I like those 73 colors blue and orange and seats.

 

[399strokerEB]

I'm partial to the explorer, mostly because I have a red 74 explorer.

 

[sprdv1]

I think a very nice stock and mostly original Ranger will have a premium over an Explorer or base model in comparable condition to the right buyer. The more mods, the less any of the packages will add any value.

Totally agree...

 

[BajaFresh75]

If you want a Red/Red Bronco (which is one of the best color combos ever) it'll be an Explorer. Red/Red wasn't available in a Ranger trim option. So check the Explorer box for me.
But a '77 Ranger Raven Black with Tan houndstooth is hard to beat, since the Explorer package wasn't available in '77.