The Brazilian factory built diesel Dakota always interested me.

I would think that someone could have a nice side business converting the light weight early pre 1995 OBD-I USA supply of V6 gasoline auto trans Dakotas that no longer get emissions tested in most states to "nearly new" manual trans diesels using the Brazilian OEM parts.

A bit more "out there" would be building
Deutz air cooled diesel Dakotas using the one tractor manual trans that bolts up.
I was always impressed with the 1980s Deutz air cooled diesels on the big portable trash pumps.

40+ MPG diesel Dakotas are possible.