Sounds like you know how to shop. Mine is racking up dough but what the heck. Looking at the Trailblazer again, there pretty cheap to buy. Up here they go for under $5grand for an 03 with 170k. Looks like a lot of work to make it fit the 49. Have to extend the frame and god knows about the front rad and grille section. They are also quite heavy and expensive to maintain.
Would think the 49 frame with mods. might less problems in long run. cheers