other than not having the roof, i think it's the same.. never did a full convert.. rene, 69norcal, one of those guys should be able to chime in on any differences...
I really can't help you with that one. It all sounds very similar to the 1st gen's though. With one exception, you can't buy 1st gen blazer panels, they only sell 6' long pickup bed panels. I cut mine about 2" back from the front of the B pillar to remove it and had to cut off about 8" of the new panel to get it close. Then it was a lot of blue tape and pencil lines to show where I needed to work the panel down so it would fit correctly.
Not trying to bag on any of the repop panels, some are just better than others. I bought two new fenders and doors a couple of weeks ago. The doors should work, the fenders were way off. I ended up buying a front clip off a pickup and used those. As far as all the lines and gaps, what a pain in the back side. I know that I have three full weekends on welding in the new quarter panel and gap adjustment. I probably have another 8 hours to get them all were I want them. It is strait up a lot of work and time to de-rust and build one of these old K5's the way you have it pictured in your head..
I feel your pain on the blasting. I ended up doing my entire tub in my garage with the same blaster that Ryoken and you have. Go for a bit, shake it, go for a bit, shake it. You end up lugging the thing around shaking it with one hand while you blast with the other. Not a lot of fun.
Remember this though, YOU can do it. I did, or at least I am doing. I really never used a welder before this project. Now 1+ years later I can see the light. It feels good knowing that out of 4935 original 1969 blazers built, I truly own one that I have changed every bolt on and made it rust free.
Good luck and keep up the questions. I have learned a lot from this thread.