I have an 84 with a 1.8 inline gas motor and the diesel tranny.  It's been
doing fine for me for two years now and about 35k miles of hard driving.
Since I moderated my driving habits recently for fuel economy, I get 25mpg.
With your diesel, I think all you need to switch over is a Kennedy
Engineering  adapter, a small bit of sheet metal work in the engine
compartment and some intake stuff..Not  a complex swap at all and you can
find 1.8l gas motors cheaply.  Almost a 'plug-n-play' swap with your current
van.
  If you decide to go that route, I can send pics of how mine was done..give
you some ideas on the intake plumbing and the exhaust I had done ($35
welding labor and a Magnaflow SS can).  You being in Cali. you may have CARB
issues I don't know about, but the 1.8 gas transplant will be a big
improvement over your underpowered diesel.  Saw some at my local parts
seller's for around $300.
  Don Hanson