Hi. Can anyone tell a successful method for join two parts together (to form one solid body) and have both parts update if their original parts file are modified?

I have tried using the ‘join’ function from an assembly with limited success.
Advantages:
- Parts that constitute the joined part update when if the original part files are modified.
Disadvanges:
- Unable to use ‘model items’ in 2d drawing
- Only the assembly if referenced by the original part file in ‘Solidworks explorer’, (If possible I would like to be able to locate all 2d drawings that contain a specific part).

I hope this makes some sense (apologies this is my first post).