Hi,
You can build your own 'lite' version of the Pickit2, it requires a 18F2550 chip programmed with the firmware downloaded from Microchip.
See the diagrams at the end of the Pickit2 manual
A lite version uses minimal parts, leaving out the more difficult to buy bits, so will only run as programmer - its a good exercise, but would still recommend buying a complete genuine Microchip Pickit2 or a Junebug if you want a dev board as well. Its the best money you will ever spend on micros.
HTH