So, on Sunday I bought my first jeep, a 94 Cherokee Sport for $500. I daily drive a lowered Civic, but it wasn't cutting it in the winter anymore.... and I need to haul things, and can't always borrow my wife's CRV.

This truck is an automatic with the 4.0, and a 3" lift that I suspect is Bubba'd all to hell. My goal is to have something reliable and functional that will be driven primarily in the winter.



The reason it was $500:


It wouldn't hold coolant when I bought it because the front end collision had broke off the radiator drain valve.

So today's Wednesday, and I have the radiator replaced and it's running without overheating. Unfortunately, I keep finding more things to fix. Here's my list so far:

1. New passenger fender
2. New front grille surround
3. replaced turn signal bulbs, but they're acting really strange now
4. turn signal housings
5. pass headlight surround
6. pull pass front framerail straight. Luckily my brother in law is a body shop guy
7. pull rear bumper out and straighten. It was also in a minor rear end collision that's not really noticiable, but it's causing the exhaust to rub on the leaf spring AND the shock, and making all kinds of bad noise. Also, tow hitch is bent in.
8. patch holes in floorpan. Didn't think to look when I bought it. They're not horrible, but they're through. Thinking I'm going to cut out the rusty sections and rivet in some sheetmetal, then POR 15 and undercoat. I know it's not the right way to do it, but I think it'll be functional.
9. removed ghetto tint, but didn't get all the glue, so now the windows won't roll down right.
10. some previous owner removed front and rear swaybar endlinks. Anyone know if I can use OE endlinks with a 3" lift?
11. think transmission pan needs a new gasket. There's fluid all over the bottom. Shifts fine though.
12. aftermarket radio doesn't work. worst electrical-taped tangle of wires I've ever seen. Will probably work once I fix the harness.
13. Hatch won't stay closed. Look like latch is broken. Held shut with towstrap right now.
14. right rear turn signal flashes backup light instead.
15. Right turn signal indicator in cluster stays on unless I turn on turn signal.
16. set of steel 5-spoke Cherokee wheels.
17. Cannot turn left due to tire rubbing on fender.

So... lots to do, lots to do. Right now my priorities are front clip, fender, and turn signals. It's drivable now, as long as I only make right turns. I took it around the block a bit last night, and the engine runs very strong.

 

Thats how much I gave for mine! I like the term Bubba'd!!!!

 

Interesting. Is yours in as bad of shape as mine seems to be?

Added a few more lol:
18. Wipers are gimpy, and high doesn't work
19. No lights on climate control.

 

Welcome to the addiction.