Started out by buying a 1991 Cherokee Limited for $100. It ran and drove but leaked over 2 gallons of oil in 25 miles, the engine made a terrible noise at start-up so I figured that a ring was broken. After letting it sit for a couple of months I decided it was going to cost to much money to get it in any kind of reasonable condition so I decided I was either going to see it or scrap it. Before I did anything with it a co-worker purchased 2 wrecked Cherokees planning to build one from them. I was able to purchase the engine and several other important parts from him at a great price since he didn't want to see it be destroyed, and honestly neither did it, I have been able to get the Cherokee back on the road.

Here is how it started:

 

First order of business was swapping in a new engine.









Finally got the old one out:





Had to have some fun:

Brother-in-law



I do this same picture on every engine swap I do:

 

Ready for the new engine:



New engine In:



Got some new wheels and new Drivers rear door (the old blue one was manual and the rest were power, got the new power door) I have painted the door, I will take a pic later. I also have new lights for the front, just haven't put them on yet.









Total Cost to date: $587.50

 

Great budget build, good luck.

 

Got up this morning and decided it would be a good day to put on the new lights:



Also took a picture of the Drivers rear door with the new paint, thinking of painting the whole thing flat black.




Not sure what I am going to do next, but all the major stuff is done.

 

Looks great for only $687.50 total.

 

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with the old engine?

 

Thanks.

Not at this point, I gave it to the guy I got the new engine from, he is going to tear it apart and look at it and let me know. Im pretty confident it has at least one broken ring, the thing leaked and burned a ton of oil.