hoping someone can answer something for me...

i'm needing a new pickup truck for work, i love my mk2 escort so want to stick with ford.

i'm looking at a sierra p100 1.8td. but really need a fwd or 4x4 pick up, so that's pushing me towards a wv or skoda

does anyone know if you can use xr4x4 parts to make a diesel 4x4 ???
what you would do about the gear and diff ratios being so far out ???

if anyone has built one i hope you can answer my question.