DT360
Most people who talk about the axle holding the weight make me
Are you going to jump small buildings and large cars off road or drive on the highway to pick up groceries? Off road the D60 is logical, on road? Save that $800-1500 for your new turbo or overdrive, if MPG is what you want make sure you have a pedal to the left of the brake pedal, the really wide brake pedals with nothing to the left cost you a couple MPG.
How will this be used? Towing a locomotive up and down hills or driving 65 miles an hour down the freeway with a 6 pack of beer in the bed? The later does well with 3.08 gears, not fast, but MPG, the prior may need 4.11, but bye bye MPG.
If you just want to change an engine then it's best to admit to it up front, the new engine will move you from point A to point B just like the old one, just with less money to buy beer in your pocket.
That JD engine sounds like it would be right at home under the hood or a Ford Ranger pulling 35mpg or forty on the freeway
what does it weigh? If it's a lot then get a long bed regular cab and build a mid engine pickup with a trunk up front where the engine was
Never mind me, it's too cold to go out and build something and I have no work for the next 6 weeks, so I'm giving my 5 cents...inflation and all