Many thanx, as always, Luke, Bill, Hedge, K10, Tony, Kook and Paul.
That gap solution looks real interesting, Hedge. Gonna look into that. I already have the strip you're talking about up at the warehouse.
Gonna revisit the hinge rivet with the vise too, Kook, Thanx. I do think the spring could be made into two of the proper size if you could rig a jig for a good clean straight cut.
If I ever put this into book form the title will be "How to make a small fortune restoring an old truck . . . Start with a big fortune!"
Paul, I keep myself sane when it rains by repeating quietly to myself "At least I don't have to shovel this stuff."