Solid choice and seems to better achieve your goals. Too bad though, I was looking forward to following a 2wd build. I will be the first to admit that my transfer case shift knob doesn't have many finger prints on it. For me, 4wd has become more of an insurance policy than a necessity. My trail riding has become more mild and less frequent.
I totally agree with it being insurance. Most of my driving in a 4x4 is mild trails and forest roads as stated before. I'm more of a on-road overlander and then hit up trails for some scenery when I get to my destination.
The GMC has 35"s and a 6" lift but drives VERY nice. I just dropped it off at a local shop to fix some leaks while I'm gone 14hrs a night for a few more days. They are doing the pan seal, front and rear mails, coolant lines from the firewall, power steering, oil cooler port cover, and the valve covers. It's not cheap for them to do it all, but it'll all be new and comes with a 24 month/24,000 mile warranty on anything they touch.
The little 4.3 Silverado is still a great vehicle for going anywhere on pavement and get's better mileage and great to park due to its short size.
I already used a carpet cleaner to clean the interior last Thursday night (my one night off a week right now) and it made the inside look brand new.
I plan on starting a build thread on it, or perhaps both trucks in the same thread as I don't plan on doing too much more work to them.