The EB release rod on my 49 GMC 1/2T pu was connected to the brake release lever by baling wire held tight by a couple of nuts . . . okay but ugly. I have seen a picture that shows the rod attached through the release lever and held by nuts on both sides. The nut on the lever's backside (toward the firewall) is spacered with a small coil spring.
The rod that came with the truck is too short to go through the lever in the released position, which is why the baling wire filled in.
I figured a deep nut on the end of the rod, with a 1" or 1-1/4" bolt screwed into it through the release lever would work. But since nobody sells a deep enough nut, I am using a sliced off piece of aluminum turnbuckle which is long enough but not quite as hard as warm butter.
My other thought is to thread both ends of a piece of 1/4" round stock to fit. It wouldn't have the slight bend in the illustration, which could make pulling the handle stiff, and I am not sure if the coiled spring will give enough tension to keep the rod's handle horizontal below the dash.
A lot of words for a little problem. Does anyone have any ideas?

Never start vast projects with half vast ideas.