Chevrolet C8 1940 Cab 11 restoration, The Netherlands

[motto (RIP)]

Just a comment on the shocker link story.
The swaged/enclosed ball type end as shown in Phil's HUP photos were used on numerous later production trucks including DUKW, CCKW, Studebaker US6 and Dodge WCs to name a few.
The length of the rod varied but the ball end with its integral tapered and threaded mounting pin was pretty much standard, I've seen them with varying amounts of thread but they will interchange. The ball ends can be pressed out of the eye end and a replacement pressed in if available.
I acquired a quantity of NOS US6 links some years ago and pressed the ball ends out of quite a number for use on other vehicle types. Or original links can be cut and welded to make them the desired length without pressing out the ball ends.

David