Dr. D, I've thought about that as well with the Geo\Chev Tracker\Vitara\sidekick whatever else they are called- do you plan on running a lift kit on it? Trying to decide between one of those (cost effective) or getting a Wrangler and putting a 4BT in it. (high dollar)
I was planning on doing some mild lifting to fit 31" tires. rumour has it an inch on the suspension, and 3 on the body will do it.
I'm fairly pleased with my ponti-yak sunrunner's offroad performance, even with 235/75R15 all terrains. It's' quite amazing what it'll go through, over and up. With a healthy TD installed, it's gonna be an awesome machine.
I dont know where you guys are finding decent samurai's for these projects, the only kind I have EVER seen in person were complete rust buckets! 
Dr. D, I've thought about that as well with the Geo\Chev Tracker\Vitara\sidekick whatever else they are called- do you plan on running a lift kit on it? Trying to decide between one of those (cost effective) or getting a Wrangler and putting a 4BT in it. (high dollar)
Nice Sami's you guys got there. 
Brendan
84 Scirocco 8v
00 Camaro L36 M49
On the rust-bucket thing, you've got to look for ones from the southwest. I've gotten a few rust free 70's japanese pickups from there.
Does the sidekick use the same transmission as the sami? I wonder if the VW diesel would bolt up with the same adaptor as they make for the Sami's?
You might also think about a BJ60. Same as an FJ60 landcruiser, but with a 3 liter turbo diesel. They're rare, but I've seen a few for sale over the years.
The Sammy and Trac/kick trannies are different. Jeff at Acme Adapters does make kits for the track/Kick and for Toy trannies as well as the Sammy trannies.
i plan on doing the 1.6 turbo diesel swap into my 87(its kinda a rust bucket) can't expect much in alaska though