The threaded rod is an aftermarket piece that is used in disc brake conversions. The equalizer(that connects to the two rear, long cables) is attached to the smaller parking brake cable via a threaded rod. This enables you to attach the cables loose and then make them taunt by tightening the rod. You can adjust it however you please.

If you got an OEM piece... chances are it does not have this rod and you have to muscle those cables on. They are a major PITA unless you go the threaded rod way.

It's a very simple and very painless way of doing things. The rod is attached to the cable that connects to the parking brake lever. All that needs modified is enlarging the hole in the equalizer.

Here is the rod that I believe he is talking about, which you probably do not have.

 

Ahh, I see. Yeah, my equalizer is OEM. Thaniks for the pic BTW.


So I ended up resetting the spring tension in the handle, which is a pain in the...
It took juggling two sets of vice grips and two alan wrenches at the same time.

Once the tension was set and the spring was locked with an alan wrench, I hooked up the line, bolted the handle back in, pulled the alan wrench out, put back the console, gave the handle a few pulls and the brake cables came unstuck releasing the brakes.

All better.