Just got done measuring the WF and NF NOS lift rod collection. And yes I have a collection, LOL
I measured a total of 11 lift rods with IH tags attached. And they varied in length from 1/4" to 5/8" in total length.
1. Narrow frame 32 3/4" OS to OS 32 1/4" hole to hole.
3. Wide frame 28 3/4" OS to OS 28 1/8" hole to hole.
QA36A/42A IH-548189-R1
QL/WF blade IH-548589-R1 Serial # 665000 and below
QL/WF blade IH-140090-C1 Serial # 665001 and above
QA36A/42A IH-548189-R1
NF front blade rod IH-473924-R1
BUT!
Going by the parts look up. The IH-473924-R1 rod for the NF blade will also fit a QA thrower.
So, this might take some digging in manuals and Service bulletins to figure out exactly what does what and where it really goes, LOL
Under Edit,
One also has to take into consideration that no matter what rod IH says fits, we have to take into account that after 40+ years, wear in the rod, brackets, rock shafts, lift arms and so on is going to have some bearing on what length any particular machine will use.