my truck doesnt actually have tailgate cables but flat metal pieces with a pivot in the middle..... now as far as i have looked, no one makes replacement cables for my truck... can iuse the replacement cables off a later model truck without an issue? i have seen actual replacemetn cables for the 89+ pickups

 

I don't see why not?
I was actually looking into replacing mine after I got some more serious issues worked out. Good question!

 

went to napa today, well their book only lists the cables for the taco 95-00, and they are out of stock... i looked at next doors shop truck today, and the cable mounts the same and everything, but there is a rectangular cutout on the part of the cable connected to the actual gate, it looks a lot bigger than the one on my truck... i will probably borrow the one from next doors tacoma tomorrow if i get a lunch, i was going to do it today, but my boss never gave me a lunch

 

I'm sure you can find a way to get around that cutout if it proves to be a problem.
Are the cables the same length as the bars?

 

well i tested the cable out... took it off the shop truck next door, one of their shop guys let me borrow it ......... the cutout part fits ok, however the cable mounts a lot lower on the taco. and when mounted in my truck, makes the tailgate open more than flat... whereas 45* is flat, it makes it open to about 65* so it anlges the gate downward ... oh well, next idea, unless i can find a way to make the taco ones like 2" shorter... but with that much stress on that part (sitting on the tailgate with friends and such, i dont want to rig something up possibly leading to injury)......

 

That's good to know...
I'm sure they have them in different lengths. I mean they have to right? There's no industry standard for these, right?

 

Measure your distance when the tailgate is down. Look into McMaster Carr or Grainger for the vinyl coated cables with eye's on both ends. Pick up some grade 5 or better shoulder bolts (in mm or stnd) and drill and tap into the existing mounting points. The shoulder bolts allow for the cable eye to pivot. Should do the trick.

 

there isnt an industry standard... however each of the trucks is different due to its design... there isnt a universal fit application for them

as for grainger or the like, where do i find stuff on them?