Man! that sucks. At this point you have nothing to lose by re-threading it if no other means is available. I wonder if a Helicoil would work?

If it can't be re-tapped maybe a through-bolt and nut would work or maybe a threaded rod with nuts on each end.

1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)

1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)