[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Having restored several of these, I think you are on the right track. My suggestion at this point is do not remove any metal at this time but go ahead and media blast the lower sections (-at minimum) and then post some pictures again so that I can see what you are dealing with. Making assumptions about what is needed without it in bare metal is just spinning your wheels. To a certain extent, what you are saying about the body needing to be mounted onto a jig or frame is correct, but I will will you thru that when the time comes and give you a few tricks on that. Good luck, and just like a 5-course meal, ...take it one bite at a time and before you know it the plates will be empty.