So, i plan on fixing my dads 1997 jeep cherokee sport... Well she has 125k miles on her and he hit a deer last year with it... He bought it new in 97-98 and since then has been taken care of very well. Now anyways i plan on fixing this car up as my first car but there are a few issues i need help with. Is it worth fixing? and how much would it cost to fix it if i buy the parts and do it myself? also she needs a little body work (dent in picture and rims are rusty but body seems to have no rust) so should i even attempt to restore her?

 

I'd say it's worth fixing, Cost depends on if the radiator is okay or not. that whole front clip can be replaced, I'd just get one from the junkyard and pull all the lights and everything off with it. Heck I'd just get everything at the junkyard except the radiator, If you can just buy that new to avoid issues.

For cost, junkyard wise depends on the yard you goto.

 

well i don't know if the radiator is good or not. but also the ac condenser does that look in tact still? i also know the electric radiator fan is toast... he hit the deer doing 50mph so it did some damage he said it pushed back the engine block but i looked under the hood and all looks fine except in the front... the radiator is bent so im pretty sure it is bad too...

 

Yeah if the electric fan is busted the radiator's a gonner. I can tell the condenser looks like it may be damaged, just make sure it isn't kinked or bent anywhere. Worst case for that, you fire it up and the A/C doesn't work. I'd check the front of the engine, make sure non of the pullies are bent.

Although I highly doubt the engine could have been pushed back, you're looking at a LOT more work if it is. First I'd check the engine mounts, the passenger side mount is visible from the top the the engine bay. Can't remember if the driver's side one is, might need to remove the air cleaner to see it well but try looking from under the Jeep first obviously lol. If the mounts look bent or broken or anything, replace them. Heck it;s possible you just have a rotted driver-side mount, those are always going out on their own.

 

thanks just looked at it and everything seems fine as far as mounts... got her running and drove her in the garage... appears to be very little rust under her at all... also i was planning on putting a rough country 3" lift on her i need some help if ya could should i go with a kit that has an add a leaf or a kit with a rear spring? thank you very much!

 

If you have the money go with a lift that comes with new springs, it'll give you even more lift then because the springs aren't worn out. That's my issue, I'm running an AAL and my rear springs are worn flat lol

 

thanks only an extra $200 lol but it should be worth it... as far as im concerned she is gonna cost like $200-$500 to get her restored then $300-$700 in lift kits if all goes as planned