The 4cyl idea is good if your not power hungry and want a efficient motor just to get you around, you don't need to worry about cooling and the gearbox and diffs/axles won't be to affected. Avoid the 2.7 Hilux motor, they have no torque what so ever at low revs. A mates got one (fairly new) and it won't pull from low revs what so ever. The 2.4 isn't a bad motor for a Toyota engine, they pull ok if you get a 70's, 80's one (I think they still had them in the 80's?) I've driven a 60's Hilux and it struggles in anything over 2nd gear even when you rev the hell out of it (could be age). The Volvo could be interesting, they run fairly well and push a heavy Volvo along at a decent speed.

