I own an 89 Sidekick, 1.6 4wd 5-speed, great truck, but the transmission started whining recently and this weekend while running down the highway it exploded...has a lot of miles ok, I can deal, but my main question is this, should I just rebuild it, if so where can I get a kit, or just find a used one from somewhere.  If I got the used route, which ones will fit the truck, trackers have the same? Will a 2wd 5-speed work?  My transfer case seems to be fine, so it can be reused...anyone have any ideas on this?  Of course what I would like to do is mount the 302 AOD combo I have sitting around in the truck, but I don't see how that would be possible since the transfer case is mounted on the suzuki transmission....anyone pulled a motor swap in these things and if so, what do you do about a transfer case...no point in swaping it if I can't stay 4wd...it would look a little silly to have a 5" lifted truck with 30" tires only 2wd...:-)  Can anyone help me? Thanks for your help.

See the rebuild info in the "Whining in 2nd gear" thread.

If you are looking for a good used or rebuilt trans. Give Hawk Strictly Suzuki a call (1-888-SAMURAI). They have what you need in stock. i was told that there is a difference in the 2wd and the 4wd transmissions but do not remember what the difference was.
Zig

I have a 89 sidekick that I'm pulling the 1.6 engine out to be installed in my 88.5 tin top.  I'll parting out the sidekick in a few weeks.  You interested in buying the tranny?  The sidekick has 166000 miles on it.  Let me know.

Get a T-case from a Samurai. I had to move mine back to fit the bigger GM tranny..

 If you want to run the 302, try using the c4 auto instead, and use a Toyota t-case adaptor and t-case. Plain and simple.

Toolman, you have an email (with pics)

I think the output shaft is longer on the 2wd tranny....don't quote me though but i'm pretty sure thats what it is.

I think the output shaft is longer on the 2wd tranny....don't quote me though but i'm pretty sure thats what it is.

Yea, that was it Thanks, I could not remember.
Zig

Thanks everyone for the help with this, I really didn't expect such a response.  I have worked on cars for a long time, but not in the off-road world, so I know very little when it comes to that.  I think based on what I have heard I am going to start measuring and adding to see if this 302 swap is possible, would prove to be amusing anyway.  And in response to the different posts:

Thanks for the offer on the Transmission, but mine had 170 when whatever broke...I am assuming a bearing since it still actually sorta drives, so I am either going to tear mine apart and build it if nothing is broken or find another..if I dont' do the V8 thing...:-)

I want to use a overdrive transmisson if I use a v8, so I can get something that might resemble gas mileage, they do make a converter for the AOD to Toyota transfer case, but it is 650 bucks or so...more than I want to spend.

The Samuari case looks like the easiest thing to do, I can get driveshafts made, just a matter of fitting the motor, the big AOD, transfer case, and hopefully somewhere to put a radiator, I have a 3" body lift, so that will help considerably I think, if nothing else it is worth the shot if I can find a good samuari transfer case around this part of the world reasonably. (TN)

The next thing I have to deal with is can I use the fuel injection, I know its possible, I have the donor mustang with all the wiring intact, just a matter of hooking the speedo, tach and things up, if I want to do it, I want to use the factory gauges...just to keep it simple looking, or a more elegant job I guess.  If not, I will just hang a carb off of it, simple enough.

Thanks for everyones help though, I will keep you guys posted as to what happens.  btw, my fuel gauge reads halfway at full, anyone know where to get a sending unit other than suzuki?  Thanks again

If you want to run the 302, try using the c4 auto instead, and use a Toyota t-case adaptor and t-case. Plain and simple.

NOW WOULDN'T THAT BE KICK ASS ....ESPECIALLY SINCE I GOT RID OF MY 5.0  TO BUILD MY KICK  

Thanks everyone for the help with this, I really didn't expect such a response.  I have worked on cars for a long time, but not in the off-road world, so I know very little when it comes to that.  I think based on what I have heard I am going to start measuring and adding to see if this 302 swap is possible, would prove to be amusing anyway.  And in response to the different posts:

Thanks for the offer on the Transmission, but mine had 170 when whatever broke...I am assuming a bearing since it still actually sorta drives, so I am either going to tear mine apart and build it if nothing is broken or find another..if I dont' do the V8 thing...:-)

I want to use a overdrive transmisson if I use a v8, so I can get something that might resemble gas mileage, they do make a converter for the AOD to Toyota transfer case, but it is 650 bucks or so...more than I want to spend.

The Samuari case looks like the easiest thing to do, I can get driveshafts made, just a matter of fitting the motor, the big AOD, transfer case, and hopefully somewhere to put a radiator, I have a 3" body lift, so that will help considerably I think, if nothing else it is worth the shot if I can find a good samuari transfer case around this part of the world reasonably. (TN)

The next thing I have to deal with is can I use the fuel injection, I know its possible, I have the donor mustang with all the wiring intact, just a matter of hooking the speedo, tach and things up, if I want to do it, I want to use the factory gauges...just to keep it simple looking, or a more elegant job I guess.  If not, I will just hang a carb off of it, simple enough.

Thanks for everyones help though, I will keep you guys posted as to what happens.  btw, my fuel gauge reads halfway at full, anyone know where to get a sending unit other than suzuki?  Thanks again

if you are going to keep FI then the intake is hard to clear the hood.  I have done a swap in a yata and we had to put a huge scoop on it with the truck intake and a smaller one with a car intake.  we kept the truck intake on.  about 20 more Hp.  and why not get a Painless 5.0 harness?

stu

I went through all this when my tracker on 35x14s was underpowered. stay away from v8s, the weight is not worth the power.  Low weight is all we have going for us. A decent 4low (5.82gear are cheaper)is all you need, maybe a complete toyota drivetrain if the front shaft is on the proper side.