I have owned aught but Toyota diesel since the 80's, but that said I would be looking out for a Nissan 4.2 litre diesel wagon (one of the old square models that were also rebadged as Ford Maverick) They have either coil or leaf suspension, power steering, air conditioning, LSD, and a drive train that is un-killable.
Mate down the road just picked one up from Bourke for the princely sum of au $5000 with 200 000 km on the clock...surely you lot at least got those?
