Just picked up my new Tracker from Colorado yesterday. Haven't taken a close look at anything yet, but I am planning on swapping its automatic into my Sidekick.

Anyone swapped in an auto before? Just wondering what surprises might await....

From what I have gathered the ECU's are different between the manual and auto. Other than that I haven't found any other hidden problems yet in my searching.

I thought I might have to swap harnesses and computers on the two. I'm hopeful they're the same thing, but that the standard tranny harness just doesn't utilize a few ries the auto tranny needs.

If I do have to swap harnesses..... I may not want the auto that bad in my Sidekick rockbuggy.

I'm gonna be doing the same thing. I dont think it will be much of an issue as long as its a 3-speed. Yea, the computers are different but I dont think it will know the automatic is there, it really dosent talk to it. You will have to do something about the lock-up converter (if economy is a concern). I had the two side-by-side and all the connectors looked the same. I know some guys put them in their samis with the 1.6 and it works.

Originally posted by samiguy
I'm gonna be doing the same thing. I dont think it will be much of an issue as long as its a 3-speed. Yea, the computers are different but I dont think it will know the automatic is there, it really dosent talk to it. You will have to do something about the lock-up converter (if economy is a concern). I had the two side-by-side and all the connectors looked the same. I know some guys put them in their samis with the 1.6 and it works.

The ones I have seen in Sammys were all older vacuum actuated models (have one of those sitting in my garage). I thought I read the newer 3 speeds had their own ECU, have to go back and try to find that thread.

the one I have is an '89. I thought all the 3-speeds were the same? The newer 4-speeds do have some computer controls so it would be a more involved swap but you would get an overdrive

The info i have says it's a TH180C from 89-94 which should have the lockup converter based on the 'C' on the end. Also listed as a 3L30 sometimes but some list it 89-92 and list a A43DE 92+.. I am not sure which is right..

Also lists a A44OH or a A44OF in the 85-88 Samurai.. I never seen an Auto tranny in a Sam tho..

I have a 95 tracker auto two wheel drive sitting on my shop floor and it has the plugin on the shifter side, for the shift sylinoids. You will need the wiring harness from a doner if you have this set up. The manual wiring harness is different then the auto wiring . the manual harness doesnt have the extra plug for the auto shift sylinoids which should be controlled by the ecm.
Hope this helps
Rick D.

mines has a some plug ins its a 92

You want to put an automatic into your sidekick? Are you insane?

My Tracker started off with the 3 speed auto, and it was a total PIG. No power, and a slow top speed. It now has a 5 speed behind the same engine. Much better!

differences in the auto-5 speed models.

1) R&Ps (5.12 vs 4.62) This will give you even a lower cruise speed if you do not swap the R&P also.

2) The floors are different! Yep, Suzuki actually has 4 different floors depending on it being a 2wd or 4wd, and auto or manual.

3) Different electronics. while about the only connection i remember for the 3 speed is a lock-up converter switch for the fuel injection (tells the car when the T/C is locked up) there may be others.

4) There is a honeycomb grid under the TBI unit. What does it do? On cold starts it heats up the fuel/air mixture to help the egine run smoother. This is only on automatics.

It is very doable. If you do it, I'd like to get the little brackets that support your clutch cable. I'd like to get rid of the silly zip ties I'm using now.

-Wayne

p.s. My EGR system does not work right now even though everything passes inspection. I suspect another issue is about to be discovered. current thought is the T/C lockup switch wire may not be set correctly to allow the computer to engage the EGR system. (I consider this switched wire to be the same as the 5 speed swtich on the manual tranny.

This vehicle is not likely to see much highway time. The D44's have 5.38's plus the dual tcase setup will have a 4.16 gearset.

So the automatic was a pig on the highway? Or it just didn't have the bottom-end ummph offroad? The low end grunt is what I'm looking for. Highway speed won't bother me much at all with this rig.

Glen, I'm running the two wheel auto with a 1.6/16v 4;1 CASE, 37 SWAMPERS AND 4:56 gears. I power out a little on some of the vertical climbs, (but not by much) with the 6:1 case I should be able to crawl anything I want. this fall were going to go over to moab and do upper proving grounds.

Auto with dual 4:1 cases with 5:38's will be sweet, and you will have pleanty of power to wheel anything.

my vote would be the auto.
:D

Rotozuk: check your e-mail

Originally posted by zukstur
Glen, I'm running the two wheel auto with a 1.6/16v 4;1 CASE, 37 SWAMPERS AND 4:56 gears. I power out a little on some of the vertical climbs, (but not by much) with the 6:1 case I should be able to crawl anything I want. this fall were going to go over to moab and do upper proving grounds.
Auto with dual 4:1 cases with 5:38's will be sweet, and you will have pleanty of power to wheel anything.
my vote would be the auto.
:D



You running all that in a Samurai? Or a Sidekick?

Have fun with Upper Proving.... be careful coming back down. That's where everyone seems to get jacked up. Also, been out there lately? The development they're putting in is making access a pain.

when we went in to the proving grounds a couple of weeks ago we came in from the north along the mountian ridge.

I've got an 87 sammi thats been streatched to 100" and tubed out. Arizonarock crawler has a pic of it on his web sight when we did pritchet canyon a few months ago. my rig is the yellow and white one.