94 K-5 Blazer

I am looking for some advice as to how get started, what to read, where to look, whether this is a good idea, evaluate my current plan, etc.

I have a 94 blazer with a L05 (5.7 L) in it. The engine has 225,000 miles on it, a newly rebuilt 4L60E transmission in it, and other parts in various states. It's in pretty good shape and has never been in an accident.

Long term what I would like to do to it is pretty drastic. I would like to cut the top off (leaving just the roll bar and windshield) and rip all the plastic, carpet, electronics, dash, and seats out. Then, I would install sheet-metal paneling where necessary to replace plastic, rip out every piece of electronics I can, seal everything up, maybe put in a marine radio and speakers or something, weather-proof and seal everything inside, spray that bitch up with tough-liner, put a drain in the bottom, put in some bench seats that will stand up to the elements, and use it for a weekend/good weather car.

Like I said though, that is long term. In the short term, I am trying to figure out things I can do to A)move in that direction and B) do under the hood as necessary to keep it running. Cost isn't too big of an issue, but I would like to save when I can. Also, I would like to keep driving the car as a commuter as long as possible as well.

I basically have 3 major sequential periods of work in my head:

Part 1 would be to replace the engine and fuel system plus any other parts that might need replacing as well. I don't mind the car being inoperable for a couple months while I do this. I would like to get newer parts when possible, and try to get them from one model. Also, while the engine is out, I was thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea to pull the frame too and take it to a shop to get sanded and powder coated.

Part 2 would be ripping the inside apart step by step. This part can stretch out over a while. Maybe rip out the plastic paneling and replace it in sections. Ripping out the carpet at some point. Replace the front seats with a bench. Then the back. Then modify the dash. Work on sealing things up.

Part 3 would be cutting the top off and necessary modifications associated with it. Also, spraying as much as I can with rhino-liner or whatever they use these days. I have even considered spraying the whole god damned thing with it. I saw a truck like that and I kind of liked the way it looked.

So any comments on the overall plan are appreciated, but on to part 1. Part 1 is important because even if I change my mind and decide to restore it to factory specs, I still need advice as to what to do under the hood.

Now I've got it in my head that it would be a good idea to put a flex-fuel capable engine/fuel system in it (my cousin suggested a L59) as bio-fuels will become a larger and larger part of the liquid fuel equation in coming years, and I want this car to be future proof. I also want to keep things as simple as possible. Am I better off trying to salvage an engine from a wrecked Tahoe or something. Or is it worth it to buy something like this?

http://www.jrgmparts.com/GM_Performa...arts_crat.html

Or should I just keep the engine I have and work on rebuilding it? Do you think ethanol is really worth it? What do I need in either case to really made this work? What can I do by myself and what is worth paying someone to do?

I am starting from scratch here. So any help is appreciated. Let me know if there is any info you need from me.