Update time! I don't waste much time haha. Trying to start on a solid foundation and have done LOTS of research in chassis design. Pulled the car entirely apart today ready for blasting. I also designed my garage paint booth so when the fresh metal returns from the blaster, I can lay down an epoxy primer to seal it all up. Decided on the Devilbliss finishline gun as my first one and some Eastwood epoxy primer.
Before taking the body apart, I mocked up the rails, lengths, and angles needed for the chassis to snuggly fit inside the rocker panels. This is the suggested way for the rat rod style because it maximizes floor space between the transmission tunnel and door. Also learned that using 2x4 wood is the same as using 2x4 steel which will be used for the final chassis.