Alright, so I'm still in the process of swapping in axles, and now I'm thinking about what I'm gonna do for gear ratios. The three speed automatics came with 4.62 gears from the factory, correct? So if I were to swap in an auto (I have a 5spd right now) I wouldn't have to go as deep with diff gears, I assume, since the 3spd is geared differently. Also, are the transfer cases the same between the autos and manuals in Trackicks? And the big question: Is an automatic trans gonna hold up to hard use?

Using an auto would let me keep it light weight and inexpensive for right now (as I probably won't do an engine swap until next summer), so as long as it is strong enough and uses the same tcase as the five speed, I think I might try to find one to use for the time being.

Within the same year ranges the tcases are the same.
and yes the 5.12 and the auto would help. But you shoud
hook up the biggest trans cooler you can fit on it for longevity.
With my 2 tcases and the 3 speed with a large trans cooler I never had a problem other than overfilling it once.  (it then pukes out he top overflow!)

http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,15579.0.html

This should help some.  I have a 96 3 spd and mine are 4.30.  Not sure how it will stand up, but I am about to install 33s on it.  I plan on changing to 5.83s in the near future when there is another source for them.

My suzuk is an auto... we don't have the other gears.  I run 33's on stock gears in the tranny.  It is great!  but if we do go with more gears, I think that having an cooler on the tranny is a very good idea.

My 3 speed had 4.30's and I went to the 5.12's. with 31's it was too much gear  33's would be perfect as far as strength goes that thing is pretty much bullet proof in these little trucks acording to GM specs the 3l30 or th180 which is what the three speed is. is good for about 220ftlbs of tourque I'm working on a new build up on my tracker right now and I'll be using the 3 speed auto again, but as for the engine...   stay tuned

My 3 speed had 4.30's and I went to the 5.12's. with 31's it was too much gear  33's would be perfect as far as strength goes that thing is pretty much bullet proof in these little trucks acording to GM specs the 3l30 or th180 which is what the three speed is. is good for about 220ftlbs of tourque I'm working on a new build up on my tracker right now and I'll be using the 3 speed auto again, but as for the engine...   stay tuned

Chrysler sells the new HEMI in a crate

    sorry but a HEMI would be my last choice for an engine swap I'd rather run a briggs&straton 3.5hp before a HEMI
   but seriously I'm a GM guy and over the next 2 months as I do the swap I'll let everyone know about my mysterious new mill....

My 3 speed had 4.30's and I went to the 5.12's. with 31's it was too much gear  33's would be perfect as far as strength goes that thing is pretty much bullet proof in these little trucks acording to GM specs the 3l30 or th180 which is what the three speed is. is good for about 220ftlbs of tourque I'm working on a new build up on my tracker right now and I'll be using the 3 speed auto again, but as for the engine...   stay tuned

I may have to rethink my decision to go to 5.83s in light of what you are saying.  I was thinking the 5.12s would be geared too high to turn the 33s.  My calculation shows an equivalent R&P would be about 5.25.  So I thought gearing it lower (5.83) would help turn the tires better and perhaps give better slow, off-road performance.  I take it the 5.12s with 33s would be better on the highway?  5.12s would be a lot easier to come by.

Chrysler sells the new HEMI in a crate

Can you get that with the dumpster to toss it in included?? I wonder how much my trash man charges to ship a HEMI?

How does this combination sound:
Stock 1.6L 8v, 3spd Auto, 5.38's in the D44's

That would be more than enough gearing for the 33's I have now, and would allow me to move up to the 35-36" range and still have enough gear left.