The history and heritage of hot rodding is to build a personalized vehicle that is the builder/owner's vision of the ideal vehicle to/for him. Where the parts originally came from, if it's from a Honda or from a Sherman tank has no bearing, once incorporated into the hot rod they become part of an H74 or AXracer not a Ford, Chevy, Ski-do or whatever the donor was.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own vision, but their opinion or vision is going to have zero influence on how I build my hot rod, I'm not trying to build a popularity contest winner, just a vehicle for ME.

 

Well said Chuck.

 

I put a 351C in my truck years back, great motor, strong, lots can be done to it, lots of history behind that motor. I've said it before "puttin a chevy in a FORD is like puttin honda parts on a Harley" ya just don't do it! JMHO

 

The GM / Firebird power plant would make for a very unusual four wheeler. Where there is a will there mus be a way. Your friends desire to see the LS engine in action would be fulfilled and your Ford would avoid a nasty virus. - Just kidding of course. If you want to power your Ford with a GM motor and you think you can get the job done, go for it. I have seen lots of MGs with Ford, Buick, Oldsmobile and other motors and I'm sure they perform well and the owners are quite proud of their work. (There was a beautiful MG at the North American Registry event in Canada that came in from Texas and it had a late model Corvette drive train. The purists were disgusted, but it was a very fine improvement over the original MG.)

 

I would take the deal in a heart beat, pun intended, all your loosing is a 10 year old four runner. I'd try and get the ford motor running also and if it is already set up and hooked the the rear end you may be happy with what you've already got. I'd agree with others on the suspension choices, buying an aftermarket that has already been engineered to fit as in the long run it will likely save you time and probably money. Asking how you should build your truck on here is only likely to creat more confusion for yourself,lol. By all means don't pass on the deal for the LS1, it's to good of a deal to pass on, if you lived close enough to me I'd try and make a deal.

 

I'd go for it.

Life is short, enjoy it. If it would make your project more enjoyable to you then there is no reason not to do it. Who cares who made what part? Yeah someone is going to b*tch about it, but someone always does about everything. I've had people wonder why I painted my car cobalt blue because they would have done it in red. It's you're build and about what you want. Build it like you're the only person on the planet.