The engine I am going with is a Mitsubishi 3 cylinder, 1 liter L3E indirect injection diesel engine that I found used.
I like the idea of the original truck, so I plan on using the original transmission, and transfercase setup, with the original driveshafts.

At the moment, I am in the process of designing engine mounts, basically based off the original mounts, reangled for the new engine.
I found a local company to help make my engine converter plate, and flywheel adaptor ring.

Due to these engines being pretty high revving, I tried to chose the highest rpm diesel engine I could find.
Even so, 3500 rpms is a far cry from 6500 rpms, and the gearing will make things a bit difficult.

I will be running pretty large tires to combat this anyway possible, but these trucks arent that kind to lift kits more than 2 inches.
That being said, the more gears the better. I am unsure of the rear diff/front diff ratio, and what types of options there might even be available.