Have had to replace the tailgate latch on my '85 4 or 5 times in the 25+ years I have owned this truck. The plastic arms break off too easily. I try to never force the latch when there is pressure against the tailgate--like firewood, etc. Usually breaks when someone else opens the gate. Had to get one from a dealer the first time and paid an ungodly price. Now they are available cheap on Ebay. Would pay extra bucks for a metal mechanism over the standard plastic, but never been able to find one.

 

I know this may not help you , but I smoothed my gate , and made an "addapter" to move the handle to the inside .
I actually modified the addapter , to accept the 89-95 chrome handle , which is metal .. works great
(picture shows the stock plastic handle though)
I never tried modifying the outer part of the gate , but it might be possable ?

 

very nice! and very creative. I will take another look at mine with this in mind.