I have been tearing down my truck. I also have the 2 rods in front of the radiator. One is longer than the other. They both have a bend in them. I was going to ask if they were menat to be bent, but from your description, they are supposed to be bent.

Here is a picture "sort of".

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL284/1946755/9706179/245120905.jpg