RE: Using a die in place of threaded coupler?
Gringo,
It's not going to work if you try to cut threads in rod. The clevises that you want to thread onto the rod are designed for threads that are rolled into the metal, as opposed to cutting them with a die. When threads are rolled the material is transformed and will actually be a little bit larger than the rod itself. When you cut threads with a die you are actually removing the material, and the edge of the threads will be even with the outside of the rod. When you thread a clevis on this it is going to be loose and may actually slip in use. You'll be better off by just buying pre-threaded rods.
Ken