1972 "modern build" direction advice

[wcelliot]

I have always loved the first generation Blazer and recently decided I wanted to build one as a daily driver to replace my 'modified 95 LT1 Caprice/Impala wagon. (I also have a 1954 Dodge 5 window on a '78 Blazer 4x4 frame/drivetrain, but that's just a toy...)

So the goal was to use EFI, a transmission with overdrive, disc brakes, etc... and do so at a price significantly less than similar over the top build I see on Ebay, etc. This is for a daily driver, not a show truck.

So here's what I have so far... I have a 100k one owner '98 K1500 pickup (Vortec 350, fresh 4L60e, and NP241(?) manually shifted transfer case. Solid frame, rusted body, good driver (just drove it home 250 miles at 75mph)

Second, I have a 1972 K5 Blazer. Good glass, trim, interior, awesome double wall top, etc. 350 is dead, TH350 is unknown, NP205 is unknown. Frame appears fairly solid but tub is badly rusted.

Finally I have a freshly stripped extremely solid 1972 Blazer body from AZ. Bare metal, no trim, glass, etc.

My initial urge was to shorten the '98 frame, adapt the AZ body, and complete with the interior and trim from the rusty truck. That would give me the IFS, modern ABS brakes, speed sensitive steering, etc. On reading threads on this, it seems there are loads of issues with this approach....

So second idea is to use the K5 frame, add the modern drivetrain and AZ body. The issue there seems to be the transfer case dumps on the wrong wide and I'm dealing with 1960's leaf springs, early disc brakes, and slow steering.

So given the pieces I have (though I'm willing to liquidate assets to buy something else), what would be the recommendations on getting to a modern EFI OD first gen Blazer at a reasonable price?

Thanks!
Bill