I have started to gather parts to swap engines in my 86 Sammi. I have an adaptor plate, engine and wiring harness from a 97 tracker and a low budget. I was planning on running stock tranny with petroworks clutch kit. I just destroyed stock clutch, pulled the trans and it doesn't look like its in great shape. Has any one put a tracker trans in a sammi? What trans should I look for or should I rebuild my stock trans? Also worried about vacuum lines and wiring harness (please keep in mind tight budget, I can't buy the trail tough harness). Has anyone stripped the tracker harness down for the samurai, is it easey?

It has been done, not sure if anyone here is running that setup though. You will most likely need a bodylift to fit the Track/Kick box in as it is much larger. You will also have to remake the shifter holes and sort out the rear propshaft. The samurai has a fixed flanges at each end and a sliding joint in the middle, the Trac/Kick has a sliding joint into the back of the trans. There is also an issue with the gearing Track/Kick is 1:1 top gear, Samuarai is much lower. TBH it would be a lot easier to source a s/h 1.3 box or to rebuild the one you have.

I put a 16 valve into the Zuks Of Hazzard.

Very easy swap with the right equipment.

I had Trail Tough do the wiring though. I am by no means an electrical laborer. I just don't have the patience.

I pulled the harness from the Tracker, sent it out, 2 weeks later I was installing the motor.

To have TT do the wiring, their adapter kit, Centerforce clutch, and inline fuel pump, I spent $700.

The wiring after they "thin" it out, is very simple and easy to tie into your Samurai. Everything is clearly marked where it needs to connect.

I re-used the Samurai transmission. I didn't have any trouble with the install, adapters, or fitment.

I did not use a body lift either. I just took my time and "eyeballed" what needed a little more room for the hood to close. If you want more info on that part, send me a PM. 

I would think if you have a complete vehicle that you are getting the engine from, you probably can sell off the extra parts to help pay for the swap. 

When I was done, I think I was into my entire engine swap for $400. That is including the purchase of the donor Tracker, TT's parts, and selling off leftovers.

You can do it on a budget.

I did not use a body lift either. I just took my time and "eyeballed" what needed a little more room for the hood to close. If you want more info on that part, send me a PM. 

I think the body lift would be needed for the TracK/Kick gearbox although I know some people have used a body lift to get clearance under the hood. That seems a bad idea to me, a big increase in the CofG when a 'power bulge' would have done the job. I'm going with the 'power bulge' on my conversion, mines an 8V and I think its the only way to get the hood to close with the extra height of the carb.
Another problem I had was that I bought the engine on its own. I need to source the plate that goes between the engine and the trans because the 1.3 plate isn't the right shape. I was assuming that the adapter plate would replace that.

Great help. Thanks. Sounds like it might be worth keeping the stock tranny. Has anyone had problems with running stock tranny?

I'm think'n about making lifted shackles to sell, raising money for the project. Anyone intested in beefy 1/2" thick shackle PM me.