We put a Benz TD300 from late seventies into a 4*4 Toyota truck with a manual tranny w/4 wheel drive to go mudding in. Fun little vehicle, puts boat into water, pulls it out at most ramps with ease, super easy to work on and very decent gas mileage, too. Did same thing again with a Chevy truck, that one has icy a/c, all auto and also gets good mpg. My driveway looked like heck for about 2 weeks for each transformation but it was a fun project that taught me (woman and mom) a lot about engines and general automotive stuff, I do change my own oil, recharge a/c, even learned how to replace all the belts, glow plugs and various filters. I drive a 79 300TD Mercedes with at least 200k miles and she rides and runs like a champ...aside the fact that car is a tank in terms of safety...good luck and have fun.