I haven't read every word of this thread so I may have missed what you plan on using for an engine/tranny combo but I'd recommend the Chevy 4.3 liter V6 and the 5 speed if your daughter can drive one, a 700R4 if an auto is in order. They're cheap, not huge, readily available, make really good power, reliable, and run forever. Heck, they were designed around the small block V8, a design that had been nearly perfected over 50 years. Chevy 350 V8 internals will interchange with the 4.3 V6 (pistons, lifters, rockers, pushrods, etc etc). Since this is going to be your daughters first vehicle she probably doesn't need a big V8. The V6 will move the truck just fine but won't have enough power to get her in trouble, plus the gas mileage will be substantially better.
Just my .02. Project looks good so far!
