what is this part in my truck called?

[41magsnub]

I have a 1995 GMC S1500 where it takes channel locks to open the tailgate.  This truck has had the tailgate completely smashed before by a falling tree (not my fault) and then replaced.  The body shop all those years ago reused the hardware.  The tailgate was never the same and always took some fiddling around to get open.

The handle is looking sketchy so I am replacing it which is an easy part to find, but the real problem is the connecting bar thingy that goes from the handle to the latch on the passenger side is partly broken, from what I can tell it was welded back together.  What is the "connecting bar thingy" really called so I can look for a replacement part?

[Matthew Carberry]

I googled "GMC tailgate hardware" and got a page of links.

I read through them to find one that seemed most on point.

http://www.thepartsbin.com/sitemap/gmc~tailgate_rod~parts.html

It's called a "tailgate rod".

You can also buy a whole new latch kit that contains all the parts.

My google-fu is strong.

[grislyatoms]

I searched for "tailgate latch actuator" and came up nada.

My google-fu is strong.

A course of antibiotics will clear that right up...

[Matthew Carberry]

I searched for "tailgate latch actuator" and came up nada.
 A course of antibiotics will clear that right up...

Jealousy is not attractive. 

[41magsnub]

I googled "GMC tailgate hardware" and got a page of links.

I read through them to find one that seemed most on point.

http://www.thepartsbin.com/sitemap/gmc~tailgate_rod~parts.html

It's called a "tailgate rod".

You can also buy a whole new latch kit that contains all the parts.

My google-fu is strong.

My google fu must have cleared itself up.....  I failed there.  Thanks!

[Matthew Carberry]

You are more than welcome.

Now I know that you can buy locking latches for tailgates, and how they get the seamless tailgate look.

[Bogie]

Cheap Suggestion: Cut the tailgate off (or otherwise remove...), and replace with one of those things made out of mesh straps.
 

[Matthew Carberry]

Dude, cut?

You unhook the holder-thingie metal support pieces and lift the hinge pins out of their cradles.

Your truck-fu is WEAK!

[Tallpine]

They make (at least for full-size pickups) an aftermarket metal cage type tailgate that use the regular hinges and latch strikers.  The latching mechanism is all exposed so you can always fix it easily.  These are supposed to give you better gas mileage because the air can flow through.

Most or all of these have the V in the middle for hitching up to fifth wheels without lowering the tailgate.  Many of these are sold to folks who unhooked their fifth wheel and drove off without lowering the factory tailgate