Costs will vary wildly depending on your direction, ie; basic functional revival, full-on factory restoration or badazz resto-mod.
One things certain though: BIG bucks. Even the first option alone--functional revival--can easily climb over the ten-digit mark paying someone else, with the sky and your wallet the only barriers to cost beyond that.
I have had the privilege to be involved in three Gen 1 Bronco projects. One was in an advisor basis with another shop, but the other two--a 67 and 69--were decent examples in fairly good, modified condition already when brought to me.
One man knew exactly what he wanted and directed me in his vision. He spent $15K with me and probably double that prior in acquisition and foundational buildup.
The other was opposite. He brought me a 67 for pre-purchase inspection. Was a solid example with good start on engine and chassis mods, but not fit for the road yet, on or off. He was buying it for a gift to his daughter in her high school junior year.
That aligns perfectly with my professional context in pre-purchase inspections:
"What will it take to make this vehicle safe enough for me to hand my teenaged daughter the keys to drive it to LA and back?"
He loved that.
Inspection results: $7K to meet that objective, but she's probably not going to like it as her first car.
He took report to seller, seller knocked $7K off his $14K asking price, and buyer brought it straight to me with a $3K deposit.
This is getting to be a long story, so in brevity:
- Daughter rejected it, but younger trophy wife wiggled and danced on it
- Spent $11K that first, 45 day visit
- Spent another $16K round 2
- He's now got a total of about $40K invested
- He began with a good looking driver easily $15K ahead of your current condition
This man is a real estate developer with millions in local holdings.
You too need to be in financially comfortable shoes to justify costs.
I have a 66 Bronco that belonged to my Dad and was purchased in 66 by my Grandfather.
With a personal attachment running this deep, it might be tough to let it go.
Consider other family. Siblings or cousins with sentimental attachments? Even 8f you don't care, someone else might.
I don’t have the time to put into restore myself.
Next question is, if you did have the time, do you have the skills, experience, facility, equipment and family support? Because what you will save in $$ doing it yourself you will spend in time, tools, and relationship when you marry that truck.
And that's perhaps the best reason to pay a pro.