Howdy....This is my first diesel forum that I'm joining after seeing such a deep and wide knowledge base here among the members for both domestic (US) and foreign diesel swaps.

My knowledge of things mechanical is pretty limited. Not having grown up working on cars, now into my 50s I've taken a wrench to a few small gas engines for carb overhauls and have done light things on cars like brake shoe replacements, plug and distributor changes, oil and filter maintenance, etc. What got me more excited about diesel in general was the hobby farm use, over the past 15 years, of John Deere and (grey market) Yanmar tractors, both with ~20 hp, 3-cyl diesel engines. Just incredibly impressed with the relative simplicity, reliability, and fuel efficiency of these engines....when I saw mention of dropping an engine like this (even if higher hp) into an auto or truck, I became intrigued. Impressed with the other tractors, I've since gotten a Kubota L3200 with a 32 hp 3-cyl engine, so trying to educate myself on the functionality, care, and maintenance of all of these engines (the Deere's in this size range mostly use Yanmar diesels).

The mods here that I've read about which involved some outstanding and jaw-dropping engineering for a noob like me that result in a functional mating of a foreign diesel to the transmission from a previously gas-powered rig are mind-boggling. It's really commendable to see the devotion go into these mods. But I have a question(s) that may be somewhat side-stepping of these efforts and hope it doesn't seem insulting to ask.

It would seem that for at least the last few decades, foreign AND domestic car makers providing autos (including trucks) to the US market were simultaneously making a similar vehicle for a non-US market, often offering a diesel option in the non-US countries. Even if import tariffs and emissions restrictions are obstacles to purchasing such a unit outside of the US for importation into the US, is it possible that the diesel engines themselves might be imported for replacement of a gasoline engine? As an example, is it possible to find a (foreign) Ford diesel engine that would mate to the transmission of a domestic mid-2000's Ford Ranger with minimal (if any) modifications required? And if this particular combination would not be so feasible, is there a combination of domestically-sold auto (foreign made or otherwise) for which an abundant, reliable diesel engine exists on the non-US market for a potential swap with minimum modifications? Even if one would have to pay a bit more for the engine, the savings in cash and bloody knuckles may be worth it for the less mechanically-inclined. Some of the US cars that I've come across which *seem* to have foreign counterparts with diesel options are shown here:

Ford Fusion (US)--Ford Mondeo (non-US)
Ford Ranger--Mazda BT-50
Suzuki Vitara--Chevy Vitara
Suzuki Forenza--Daewoo/Chevrolet Lacetti
Ford Escape--Ford Maverick
Nissan Versa--Nissan Tiida
Geo Metro--Suzuki Cultus

Anyway, I'm approaching (early) retirement and have been playing with the idea of dropping a light diesel, clearly with abundant help from others, into either a car or truck. I may be gifted a 4X4 Ranger from around 2005(?) which could be the base vehicle, but there are many other options. Great site and thanks for the membership.