Half Bronco, Half Pickup: The Story of Ford’s U14 Bronco

If you’re into classic Broncos, you’ve probably heard people throw around terms like U13, U14, and U15. These aren’t secret codes – they’re just Ford’s way of naming different Bronco body styles back in the day. The U13 was the open-body roadster, the U15 was the wagon, and sitting right in the middle was the U14 – Ford’s unique take on a compact Sport Utility vehicle.

Model What You Got
U13 The fun one – stripped down, doors off, ready for the beach
U14 The worker – half cab, pickup bed, ready for anything
U15 The family wagon – full roof, back seat, what most people bought

U14 Bronco Quick Facts:

  • Half-cab design with pickup bed
  • Available with 170ci six-cylinder or 289 V8 engine
  • Shorter than a regular pickup but more practical than a U13
  • Unique bed rails and cargo area specific to the U14
  • Rare find today – less common than U15 wagons
  • Perfect for both trail riding and hauling gear

Think of the U14 as the middle child in the early Bronco family. You had the U13, which was the stripped-down roadster version (basically a bare-bones fun machine), and the U15, which was your classic wagon-style SUV with a full roof. The U14 split the difference – it kept the front seats but added a short pickup bed behind them. It’s like Ford knew some folks wanted the utility of a small truck but didn’t want to give up the Bronco’s nimble handling and off-road capability.

These U14s are pretty special in the Bronco world. The design made perfect sense for ranchers, hunters, or anyone who needed to haul stuff around but didn’t want a full-size pickup. You could throw your gear in the back, hit the trails, and still have that classic Bronco style and capability.

A restored black Ford U14 Bronco with gold wheels photographed in profile against a backdrop of autumn grassland. The vehicle features a half-cab pickup design, large off-road tires, and a lifted suspension. The classic chrome grille and round headlights stand out against the matte black paint. The bronco is parked on a paved surface with dried grass and bare trees in the background under an overcast sky.

Production and Popularity

Here’s something interesting – while the U14 Bronco was a clever idea, it wasn’t nearly as popular as its siblings. Most folks ended up going for the U15 wagon model. Makes sense when you think about it – the wagon could still haul plenty of stuff, but you also got that covered back area which came in handy during bad weather or when you needed to secure your gear.

Finding and Buying a U14 Bronco

If you’re in the market for a U14 Bronco, you’ll need to do some homework. Since they made fewer of these than the wagon models, they can be tricker to find. Prices can range anywhere from $25,000 for a project car to well over $70,000 for a pristinely restored vintage Ford Bronco. If you’re looking at a full restoration, you could be north of $250,000!

When you’re looking at a potential U14, pay extra attention to:

  • The bed area (these tend to collect water and rust)
  • The transition point between the cab and bed (another common rust spot)
  • Original bed components (they’re harder to find than regular Bronco parts)

Engine and Performance

The U14 came with the same engine options as other early Broncos. Most started life with the trusty 170 cubic inch straight-six, which wasn’t going to win any drag races but got the job done. A lot of folks opted for the 289 V8 when it became available – it gave the U14 some extra grunt for hauling loads while still being reliable.

These days, you’ve got tons of options for upgrading the power and my favorite people to talk to is Kincer Garage. Not only are they knowledgeable but they don’t make you feel silly if you have a question you don’t really want to ask in a forum because the internet can be a mean place.

Many owners stick with period-correct V8s to keep the classic feel, but there’s a growing trend of dropping in modern Ford engines. The 5.0 Coyote swap is popular, though it takes some serious modification to make it fit. I’d go for the upgraded fuel tank as well!

A lifted Ford U14 Bronco in coral orange with a white top, photographed in profile against a hillside. The half-cab pickup features black off-road wheels, a chrome grille, and shows the patina of a well-loved classic. The vehicle's unique body style demonstrates the distinctive U14 design with its pickup bed configuration.

Restoration Challenges and Tips

Restoring a U14 Bronco comes with its own set of challenges. The biggest headache? Finding original bed parts. While mechanical components are shared with other Broncos (making them relatively easy to source), those U14-specific body parts can be tough to track down.

If you’re taking on a U14 project, join some Bronco forums and make friends with other owners. The early Bronco community is incredibly helpful, and somebody might have that hard-to-find part you need sitting in their garage.

Why the U14 Matters

The U14 Bronco might not have been Ford’s bestseller, but it represents something special in automotive history. It was one of the first attempts to combine the practicality of a pickup with the fun and capability of an SUV. Today, we see that same thinking in modern vehicles like the Jeep Gladiator.

For collectors, the U14’s relative rarity makes it an interesting find. While U15 wagons might be more practical and common, there’s something cool about owning a more unique piece of Bronco history.

Plus, that pickup bed still comes in handy whether you’re hauling camping gear or showing off at a cars and coffee meet.

Finding and restoring a U14 Bronco isn’t the easiest project you could take on, but if you’re looking for something different in the classic 4×4 world, it might be worth the extra effort. Just make sure to check those bed corners for rust before you hand over your cash.

Could We See a Modern U14?

While the original U14 Bronco might be a rare sight today, its basic concept – a versatile vehicle that’s both trail-capable and cargo-ready – makes as much sense now as it did in the ’60s. With the current Bronco’s success, it’s worth asking: could Ford bring back the U14 concept?

The market seems ready. Just look at the popularity of the Jeep Gladiator, which follows a similar formula to the original U14. People clearly want vehicles that blend SUV capability with pickup practicality.

A modern U14 Bronco could fill a unique spot in Ford’s lineup – smaller than a Ranger but more versatile than a standard Bronco.

I can see a two-door Bronco with a small bed, keeping that classic U14 layout but with modern technology. It’d be perfect for today’s outdoorsman who needs to haul mountain bikes or camping gear but doesn’t want a full-size truck.

Plus, it’d offer something the Gladiator doesn’t: that compact, nimble feeling that made the original Bronco so great on trails.

Sure, Ford would need to be convinced there’s enough demand to justify building it. But with the growing interest in both smaller trucks and adventure vehicles, a modern U14 could capture the spirit of the original while meeting today’s needs.

Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll see the U14 badge make a comeback. I know we’d like to see it at Get Vintage Vehicles.


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