LS Swap - Long Term Planning

[dagnabbitt]

I've been reading up on LS swaps for a couple years now, but I've been having trouble pulling the trigger on purchasing an engine and getting started. I have a hard time making long term plans: anything more than two weeks away is long term, for me. I just really, really enjoy driving my 1970 SWB stepside and I don't want to tear i apart just yet, despite the fact that it is completely clapped out and needs a full restoration. It isn't unsafe or anything, but the truck looks like the south end of a northbound dog, and the engine has more blow by and leaks than any running engine I have ever encountered. I will restore it, I just am not ready. I haven't blown that engine yet.

What also kind of paralyzes me is the fact that I like to hear an engine running, so going to a junkyard doesn't do it for me.

It turns out that I need a work truck - something to drive in the winter and occasionally pull a trailer with - and I thought that I might as well start looking for a vehicle that will ultimately my LS donor, when that day comes: but one which still has a few years left in it for me to drive. I am looking forward to shopping for this truck, for once I won't care about options and appearance, just drivetrain. There are a number of different LS engines and setups: if you were looking for the perfect donor vehicle for what I plan, what year and model would it be?