Does anyone know if the double cab diesel was ever imported to Canada or Mexico? I need something to pull a 4.500lb Airstream, go offroad, and function as a daily driver including hauling grandkids.

My first thought was to drop a diesel into a 1st-gen Tacoma double cab, but between the rarity of those and the fact that it is technically illegal to do so per the EPA, thought I might look elsewhere. My next thought was to import a 25+yo Hilux Surf diesel from Canada and convert it to a double-cab truck like on http://www.creativeconversions.com.au/, using parts from a standard pickup to fill in the back of the cab, lengthen the wheelbase and driveshaft, and convert it to LHD.

I figure that if the 3.0L diesel ever wears out, I can always replace it with a 4bd1-t which would not draw nearly as much adverse attention being in a vehicle that originally came as a diesel as it would in a Tacoma which most folks know never did.

Thoughts on a better way to get the small diesel crewcab 4x4 I want?

Incidentally, the additional drop axle on the 3d model is an idea I'm playing with for increasing stability under load or while towing for almost any vehicle. it mounts to 3 2" receivers (including the original center one) and uses torsion bars to hold the wheels up or airbags to force them down.

 

You can find them, but they're rare and expensive.

http://bringatrailer.com/2014/03/12/...ux-4x4-diesel/

I saw one on eBay after this. Pretty sure it was a diesel and went for over $10k.

 

Yeah, I've seen a few of those. That's a sharp-looking truck, but a bit too rich for my blood, and you know a bank wouldn't touch that one with a 10-foot pole LOL

I like the prices at http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/searc...iesel&sort=rel a lot better
A lot of these trucks are nearing the magical 25yo mark and it's a lot easier importing from Canada than somewhere overseas, especially since I plan to move to Bellingham anyway.