The main attraction is its auto.
If they brought out the V8 diesel in Auto the 2.8 wouldn't sell as well.
There was a conversion offered by somebody? Zone Offroad?
There's been a few such done in South Africa but at R150,000 - R250,000.
Here in Aus this is quite a popular conversion to place the 6 Speed AB60 Automatic Transmission from the 200 Series in the 70. Looking at around $20,000 - $25,000.
Now you can buy a 2.8 which in stock format has more torque than the V8. The 2.8 is cheaper, lighter on fuel and has the auto box. Now usually auto vs. manual comes down to user preference, but in this case the 5 speed manual in the V8 has a weak 5th gear and a lot of guys spend money on the manual as well. Nothing wrong with it. Cruisers are not known as value for money purchases, but I think the 2.8 makes the V8 look even more overprized.
Only the 4.2 with the R151 box had a fifth gear problem. All other Cruiser run H151 and H152 gearboxes. These are truck boxes that also do duty in Dyna trucks must be the strongest 4x4 gearbox available. You can tow in fifth gear with them as the 5th gear is on the main shaft. Manny guys do a 5th gear ratio change on them to bring down the rpm on the v8
