the diesels are a great idea, little ones in little cars. The trooper is not all that heavy, I remember being under them at a service garage. They also have a regular gas four cylinder version. Alot of zerks...
another way out is indeed the boxers, they are custom classics more than ever today, but still a way for bigger work, smaller engine.
I am pondering a v8 again, as the net gets alot of chores done that normally require a vehicle. That is a way to drift off this subject..and do not want to.