[Bob Carriere]

Hi Jason

The thingie with the hole in it is a muffler bracket. There is a strap of steel that wraps around the muffler and laced through that bracket. End of the steel strap bracket is bent outward at 90 degrees and a bolts is used to tighten the strap against the circular muffler.

Have to look at your pedal set up.....looks strange but can't figure why???

...and sorry for the confusion on the shock linkages....... there are various model used over the years and regardless of year of manufacture parts do get substituted. We have a box full of cleaned, snadblasted, phosphate and painted with POR of the early mini steering rod linkage style. What I mean by this is that the early ones where almost mini models of the steering linkage that connects the steerign box to the front axle. They can be disassembled cleaned and reused based on using the less worn out parts. The later model like you have were the disposable type...once worn they are junk.

I am always more concerned for the front axle than the rear one due to steering, shimmy, etc. I would suggest you at least open up you front shocks and make sure they are still full of oil ( or drain and refill)..... and I would prefer using new or very good linkage rods from the shock to the axle.

Your front axle as the later model.... don't loose the little 90 degree connector at the bottom of the assembly. Oddly enough the early cab 11 CMP had small shocks also used by the early 4x4 Dodge US army trucks and parts are available from Vintage Power Wagon in Fairfield Indiana.

In you case the later model can probably be sourced from them or .... if you still have military connections..... the linkages from M135 Deuce and a half.
The trick is to match the orientation of the two bolts.... some are on the same side facing the same way some are top one facing one way the bottom facing out the other way..... 180 degrees opposed.

You must also need to match the lenght...centre bolt to centre bolt..... that may necessitate cutting the linkage and rewelding to the proper dimension.

Over the holidays I will photograph the various models we have and post on this site.... meanwhile see if you can take measurements for the exact length for c. to c. of bolts.

Now to go back to look at your pedal assembly.

Bob