I wish I could get one also, agree that DOT/EPA are part of problem, how many do you have to destroy as part of safety tests etc...don't think fuel is a problem...As to US diesel vs. EU....main critical spec is sulfur, EU is currently at 50 ppm, going to 10ppm in 2009, US is a mixed bag, but mostly now 15 ppm, some areas and ag use etc. still at 500ppm...I suspect diesel in Africa is likely 500ppm or higher, quein sabe?...one offshot of this is that as you reduce sulfur you reduce lubricity, so if you have a diesel you should consider adding sonme slickum....

While diesel has some undeniable advantages, one advantage of the gasoline engine is less noise, especially at idle. I noticed that Jan Dumon's Land Cruiser (Hoedspruit, South Africa) was well muffled.

IIRC Lou Hallamore in "In The Salt" recommended gasoline for that same reason. Of course, I read that a couple of years ago and didn't go back and look to be sure.

Trying to reason with or convince the EPA will only turn your hair gray. It's a govt. thing.

you can get a diesel land rover here/
http://www.eastcoastrover.com/
They can build anything you want; gas or diesel.
They are very expensive

...BIG difference between Land Rover, and Land Cruiser these days. My experience with Toyota is like the Timex watch: "It takes a lickn' and keeps on tickn"

All of the new Diesel's are considerable quieter than their older counterparts. Drivability of the newer diesel's are approaching that of gasoline. As far a lubricicity on the ULSD, questions abound. While the dealer will tell you not to worry, I use Diesel Kleen addative. It raises the Cetane rating, and adds lubricicity to the fuel.
The Cruiser we used in Tanzania was diesel, and I found it to be very quiet.

Thanks for the Rover link (not the same as a Cruiser as noted). I quote this from that link...

"We can not help you import a 110/130 from overseas. We build our 110s in the USA as importation and road use of these overseas vehicles is illegal."

Try this out next time your in the ol'RSA

Rent One

If you're really gonna spend the money to get EuroJeep then get a real one! G400 CDI. If you need serious junk hauling and off road capability then nothing beats a domestic diesel pick up with the right set-up. (manual transmission, lockers, etc.) Of course you could always buy a Unimog?!?!