hi !!my guess is if you can't see thru it ,,it's not too far !!
the existing frame should be OK !! why spend a lot of cash for something you already have,, unless it's junk or you'r going to drive it around the track,, i guess thats up to you .. how much cash you got???
sorry i just noticed you are in a bad snow area Wisconsin??i'm in az. and our cars are "RUST FREE"...LOL.. :thumbup: