If you have never welded before, and don't want to take a class, there is a handful of good videos on YouTube that can help get you started. Actually, in Pirate4x4, there is some sections that Jesse did on PirateTV that were pretty good for MIG. I made my buddy watch them before I let him use my Hobart again and his welding was greatly improved. It helped him so much that he was actually able to repair one of his exhaust manifolds properly. I was impressed. There was two sections, one in two different videos. Definitely check it out.
I remember when I got my first welder, I bought it shortly after a good friend (nice guy, but a bit large) blew one corner of the passenger seat rail through the tub of my first YJ. First thing I did was make a quarter sized piece of sheet metal disappear into the ether. Whoops! That was enlightening. I suggest watching the videos first, don't be like me. Heh!
Even though they are inexpensive, the auto darkening hoods at Harbor Freight are pretty decent. I borrowed a friend's really expensive model, and loved it, until I found out it was almost as much as I paid for my Hobart MIG. Eeek! I bought the harbor freight model, and while the window is a lot smaller, it's been every bit as good as his, if a tad less comfortable. The difference is that he wears his a few hours a day, pretty often. I only wear mine a few hours a month.
