I got a 1.6 TD vw and going to put it in my kick, what my question is what's the best trans to use my three speed trans or try for a four speed if they make em more or less
I know they make kits for my three speed, do they make four speeds in this rigs?

Ahhh - go with the three speed - unless you're an electronic whizz, in which case ignore me altogether.

The three speeds are purely hydraulic/mechanical, the four speeds are controlled from the ECU - now there are vehicles that use the same AW4 with stand alone TCUs (Transmission Control Units) that you might be able to adapt, but I believe even those require, at the very least, some sort of throttle position input from the ECU, so I'm guessing it's not going to be plug & play.

Thanks for the help would you have any idea how much torque and HP that the tranfer case and rear end will handle

I run the 2.3l in the Project Trouble racer for the Zukiworld Challenge, it holds up to 155hp without an issue under less then perfect conditions.  There are also several people running with the 2.5l V6 with the stock transfer case and rear end so you should be pretty safe.

 What will you doing about the increased engine weight on the front suspension? I believe the 1.6 diesel wighs ~280 lbs.  Ken

Even the TH180C (3speed) requires a vacumn signal to the modulator on the AT! In case you don't know ,a diesel engine doesn't create vacumn.(no throttle plate) That is why the VW 1.6 diesel has its own vacumn pump for brake assit and to operate the climate control doors on the climate control system. The TH180C was used in many GM vehicles and the modulator is specific to each model. I have never read on the Acme adapters website(the main supplier of the swap kit) how this problem is over come with using an AT, most conversions use a MT. The vac. mod. translates changes in engine load to move the modulator valve in the AT case thus changing hydraulic flow.

   I have been building a 1.6 N/A conversion and it has been suggested that a 5 spd. manual and 5.12 axles will complement each other but that was for my intended use as a backwoods vehicle with not too much highway travel. I plan on a 2" suspension lift and 215/85-16 tires and wheels. My plan for a 2" lift might need some small amount of body lift but I may cut back on tire sizeif the body lift isn't to my liking.   Ken