It's not like the 2.6s are bad engines, I'm just having trouble finding one.. you know, those ones on eBay that go for $400 from vehicles that have been parted out.

but you said the diesel swap might be pretty easy? He'd rather have the diesel for gas mileage anyways, diesel is a whole $0.50 cheaper than gas here at the moment as well. it may not be the fastest engine but it's for offroad anyways and the diesel has plenty of torque

Is that 2.3L turbo the same one they used in Rangers and a lot of Dodge cars/trucks from around the same time?