I am new to forum but not to Suzuki's or offroading. I did the auotmatic to standard swap in my '95 Dodge Ram (Cummins) but never in a sidekick. I have a chance to Pu a '96 sidekick but it has an automatic. I didn't turn up anything by searching the forum. Anybody ever perform this swap? I can't stand automatics and have restless leg syndrome!
                                                                                                                                   THX,
                                                                                                                                    Pete

Maybe you could hook up with the guy here, who's looking to swap his manual for an auto ?

Are you looking at a 4door or 2 door?

If you were close to me I would start pulling the manual trans and pedal package yesterday to swap, I despise any manual trans on a offroad vehicle!

The 3 speed auto and 5 speed manual are basiclly directly interchangable, both are the same length and use the same transfercase and will bolt up fine. The pedal packages should also interchange. There may be ECU/wiring issues, but nothing that cant be worked around.

lol looks like bent and talon both beat me to the punch, im also looking to go manual to auto as bent mentioned.  Where are you located? the five speed is def nice to have on the street im sure you can find some members on here looking to go the other direction, depending where your located

I did this swap had a 89 auto and did an 92 update changed the Trans cause gas millage sucked......easy trade fer most part got to change peddles easier to pull dash half out to do or completely out did that also converted that also.. Changed whole writing harness updatedthe top  electronic on the motor also

   And here I'm looking to exchange a 3 spd. auto with a 5 spd. manual. I AM getting the 5.12 gears I wanted but I am interested in why the three of you are so adament about going automatic?  I'm new at this and am reading all I can to try and learn . So far I was comfortable with my choice but you do interest me with your beliefs. Could you pass on your point of view?   Thanks,  Ken 

   Another thought;  What would be wrong with using my auto Tx. with the 5.12 axles I just got? I'm sure there is a reason but I don't get it. In my travels ,surfing, I do remember someone complaining about automatics "searching" for the right gearing in off-road use.   Thanks again,  Ken

The main issue with the 3-speed for mileage is the lack of an over-drive gear.  You have a 1:1 3rd gear and a decent jump to get there.  With the 5.12 gears you will be setup for running 31" tires and still have your stock ratio. 

I just built the White Rabbit with a 3-speed, 5.12 gears and 33x12.5" tires and it moves pretty well but it's not a power house.  Hopefully in two weeks I will be able to report that it runs fine on the rocks with the stock t-case.  For off-road use the 3-speed is nice because of the long 1st gear, so you won't try to jump to second.  I'm betting on the 1.8 reduction from the torque converter and larger motor to make up for the lack of low end gearing compared to my old SJ running the 6.5:1 t-case.

I would really appreciate the better gas milage of a manual, but the auto for off road is my choice. Technical sections are easier without the hassle of clutching, and the torque converter softens the drivetrain hit. I also think the auto is easier on the whole rig off road ( not to mention my left leg.)  Being able to just swap diffs to the 5.12's out of a manual into the auto axles makes for a cheap and effective gearing correction for the bigger tires. I'm running 32's with my 3 speed auto and the gearing is great. Could easily go to 33's and it would still be great. The trans seems pretty durable considering all I've put it through so far, no slipping or noise or funny gear changes, but I really would almost KILL for that overdrive gear on the highway. Ah well, just another good reason to stick to the speed limits.