well hears some of the down and dirty stuff.....
what do you expect for power and top speed
you would need a engine with a 4WD oil pan set up.
the pan is literary an inch or two from the axilthe original N\A diesels sold 81/87 are 57 to 62 hp
80hp with the 8 psi turbo

they where sold 86/87 only....same engine slitly modded
you can turbo a N\A but its a risk thing some go many, many, years no issues at all. others go a short time and well...............bad things can happen
another issue is the 4 sp trans, it pegs the diesel at about 60/65mph 3,000 rpms....(depending on tire size)
but thats not a issue if off road cuse your under that speed all the time.
the 5sp helps road speeds buy lowering rpms, and yea it was sold 86/87 only..
another issue is the starter, its on the oppest side of the gas engines.
depending on what you want, theres a chance your 4WD gas trans, has a 6 bolt front bearing retainer, if it does you can put a diesel front housing and bearing retainer on your trans you have, all though on the down side you would have a 4sp in that case.
depending how much $$$ you want to put in to this theres one other way........
you can import a 4JB1-T 2.8L Isuzu diesel from Japan.
they run around $2,500 and come with a trans that fits them.
there around 100/110hp depends if it has a inter-cooler or not.
they get nearly the same MPG as the ol 2.2L and have way more power, and no funky QOS 5V glow plug system to wire in.
a 2"~ body lift would be needed to let the hood shut.
you will need to relocate the trans mount but that would be need to be done with the other engine two, if you went with a 5sp.
swapping in a non original diesel is just about imposable,
but it can be done.the trouble is the front drive shaft being on the passenger side, the clearance of the engine oil pan to axil, and the week 8 bolt axil in the front thats meant to take 150hp TOPS.
and be under 600lbs the 2.2L engine is about 400/450lbs
mabe this should be moved to the diesel area, or the 4WD part of the board
