ALL diesel engines are expensive. Try pricing out a high-mileage Cummins 4B out of an old UPS truck. My buddy found one and considered it for a transplant into a toyota 4x4 he is building. He gave up due to the cost and weight - and he's a Cummins mechanic. I think it's the percieved durability of the diesel, as well as the lower production numbers that keeps values high.

1991 Mitsubishi Pajero XP TD LWB family hauler.