What automatics will fit in a 97 4 door 1.6. What year did they start putting the 4 speed in? I've read that the transfer case is different in 96-98 than earlier years.   

Any Tracker 1st Gen (up to 1998) will fit. The 4-doors always had 4-speeds. There's Volvo transmissions that will fit as well:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=716069&highlight=71

Then it's just the transfer case that aren't the same, or do I have the wrong info.

I knew I forgot something... yes, the T-case is different. If memory serves, it's the input shaft's spline count that's different. I forget spline count though.

The 4-doors always had 4-speeds.

Except the 91 4 door autos that had 3 speeds.  Seems there's always an exception!

Thanks for the replies.  If I understand this correctly, I should get the transfer case with any transmiision pre 96?

I'm not sure about the input shaft, but I do know that the rear output shafts are diffrent, my 94 has a fine spline driveshaft yoke and my 96 has a coarse splined shaft so you would have to change the yoke on the drive shaft at the very least.

What automatics will fit in a 97 4 door 1.6. What year did they start putting the 4 speed in? I've read that the transfer case is different in 96-98 than earlier years.   

The 4 speeds are found in the 4 door trackicks, starting in 92 (first year for the 1.6, 16V engine in the 4 doors).  All 91 4 doors had the 1.6, 8V engine and either the 5 speed manual or 3 speed auto tranny.
The output shafts have different splines on the 96 and up tcases.  But the tcases are still interchangable....meaning they will all bolt onto any 1.6 tranny (3 speed auto, 4 speed auto, 5 speed manual), from 89 to at least 98.

Quote from: Jeremiah on January 22, 2009, 02:00:31 PM

The 4-doors always had 4-speeds.

Except the 91 4 door autos that had 3 speeds.  Seems there's always an exception!

I stand corrected