There was a control box in a Land rover magazine that would hook up to the electronic transmission and control it. I can't remember who made it.

Willie

 

The D2 is a good truck, better riding on and off road more room and as for the engine, once you replace a head gasket set, you are done with anything major. I have seen many 4.0's and 4.6's clear 250,000 miles with nothing unusual going wrong.
As for the diesel, not in a D2 unless you want to pay really big buckets to buy the UK's ECU for the tranny and engine, then you still have the problem on how to legally get one here.

 

Well, that's the thing. I don't want the engine to get along with the electronics of the DII, I want to simplify the DII. The TDI is part of that process & why I'd prefer the 300tdi over the TGV. FWIW, you can find them in the States, you just have to look.

I totally agree that The DIIs are nicer & nicer riding, but that isn't my goal. I want a simple capable off-road vehicle that is also comfortable enough to drive 10 hours to the trails. The DI fits that bill nicely. But the rust is ridiculous.