Toyota deisels - mpg vs. upkeep?

[fullygruntled]

I've been shopping for a combo high(er) mpg daily driver and family light-duty offroader for a while. Opinion is edging towards a 85+ 4runner, although I'm pretty unenthused about what the 22RE seems to get even with tamer rubber (looking to run 33-35" max).

Recently found an ad for a '85 pickup with a shot body and a 3.0L turbo deisel (5L-T, I assume). I imagine it should be easy enough to find a 4runner body to then swap onto the whole magilla. Seems from reading that the turbo should get better mileage (even considering higher deisel costs), but do you reckon I'll just be shooting myself in the foot by trading lower fuel costs for much higher parts costs?

[toygoober]

As long as it's running well now I'd say go for it. Parts will be harder to find and more expensive than the gas 22R/RE, but Toy diesels are bullet proof. Have you seen the Top Gear show where they tried to kill a Toy deisel? They chained it down to a boat ramp, let the tide come in and carry it away, then when the tide went out they found it. Scooped the mud out of the engine bay, cleaned out the motor and it started right up! Besides, a million terrorists seem to have pretty good luck with them.

I've heard the naturally asperated diesels are pretty gutless but a turbo should help the power and the MPG