94 Sidekick.. Swap in a 1.6?

[zukgod1]

So here's the deal.

I picked up 3 Sidekicks, 2 2dr models one with a bent frame and the other (good frame) basically for parts. My original intentions were to swap frames on 2 (build 1 out of 2) and sell the good one.
Then I came across this 94 4 dr for cheep so I picked it up also.

Well I have the option to still fix the 2dr as a stock unit and resell it then take the 4dr and build a crawler.

Ok so I can use the trans and t case from the frame doner then get the adapter for the VW TD and go to town.
Problem is I'll need to rebuild the 1.6 I have and I cant EVER do it cheep. I'll end up full ARP fasteners again and crap it will cost me.
I can put a 98 Rodeo drive train under it for $700.00 and have a Dana 44 rear end as well from that donor and that's a Honda V6 engine.

Knowing this is a VW Diesel site I suspect I know what response I'll get but I still thought it good to ask for opinions before I tear into it.

[burnt_servo]

my little brother has a samurai with a 1.6 td , it's like it was ment  to have the vw diesel in it .

in the last year we have put jeep leaf springs in it , toyota axles and a tranny / transfer case out of a '92 side kick in it .

a tweaked vw diesel with easily kill off the stock samurai running gear .

and the best part , if it's driven gently ,it will get 40 mpg .... the problem is that is kind of hard to do because it is so much fun to drive .

the only real issue we ran into was it ran hot , and a rad out of a '93 vw passat ( 1.9idi )  fixed that . ( i also suspect the larger passat rad will fit the older jetta's )