Thank you for allowing me to join. I Bought a project Jeep. Its a 99 Cherokee Sport. It has a blown head gasket, needs a radiator, and I overheated the front brakes dragging it home. This is going to be 99% play toy, but still want to keep it road worthy so I can use it as a backup vehicle when one of my other cars go down. I just bought a junk motor with a rebuilt head on it. Other then the obvious things already mentioned, any suggestions on what I need to do to make it offroadable would be greatly appreciated. I'm doing this on a budget, so please keep that in mind. I live in Indiana about 50 miles from The Badlands Offroad Park. So that will be where I plan on using it.

 

Run your breather tubes to a high point in the vehicle so as to keep water and dirt out. Make sure your battery has a good hold down. Figure out what you need for light trail repairs and carry spares of the essentials (u joints axle shafts etc), along with tools, food and water, map and compass, along with recovery equipment and have fun wheeling. The first thing I've done with all my Jeeps (after basic tune up stuff has been to upgrade the tires but you dont have to go crazy on mods to have fun wheeling. I've done some pretty crazy stuff (sometimes stupid) in next to stock jeeps. Sway bar disconnects are helpful to have as well. Just my two cents.

 

I’d suppose if you’re on a tight budget then only concern yourself with getting it running right and reliably. Mods can be done as you go. When you have it running and driving, take it out on some mellow trail runs. You’ll quickly find the items that need attention for upgrades/mods.

What to do/upgrade first is very subjective, and depends highly on what you want to do with it, and what you can afford to do with it.