Hi, I'm new here.  I didn't know where else to go to ask this question, but my dad has a '79 chevy 3/4 ton truck.  It's got a 350 and 4WD.  Now we added a body lift a while ago and the clutch linkage has been screwed up ever since.  we eventually found that the rod connecting  the pedal to the "Z Bar" had to be lengthened, so we made one, but now it's bending. so does anyone know where we can get a rod that was made for body lifted trucks?  We can't be the only ones with this problem!  Thanks in advance!  

i had a similar problem with one of my trucks the rod wasnt long enough all i had to do to fix the problem was adjust the clutch freeplay i used an old tie rod to fabricate mine it was plenty strong and i had no problems with it bending .  also what kind of problems are you having you said it was screwy how do you mean?  

it seems that every 2 weeks we have to lengthen the clutch adjustment rod, the small rod the sits in the fork.  Thats what i mean when i say it seems screwed up.  i don't know exactly what's wrong.  The clutch does work, just not as well as it should. thanks  

I have a 1980 Ford, and I installed a home made 3 inch body lift. I had to remove the rod that went threw the floor, cut it, and weld in a 3 inch extension. I used a 3 inch bolt{with the head cut off} that was the same size ad the rod. I re-installed it and have had no problems. Im not sure how you made yours, the rod gets abused and has great force applied both by your foot and the return springs. Maybe the one you made is of weaker material? That would explain the bending, but then again thats almost to easy of an solution. Perhaps the rod you bade got too hot while you were making it and the steel is now tempered. The after-market body lift kits that I have seen all come with an extension to be welded into that rod. Good luck.

lticepick

Hmmmm......I think you may be on to something there, Iticepick.   My dad and I used a steel rod (likely thinner than stock) and heated it up with a propane torch so that we could put the 90 degree bends in it.  Just as you said, it is bending right by where we heated it up.  I'll try to find the stock rod and do what you did with the welding.  Thanks a lot for the help!!