i don't normally put a lot of weight on the tailgate when it is open but i had both tailgate cables suddenly snap on me...
the tailgate slipped out of my hands when opening so it fell open ...that's when both cables broke...with no load on it except its own weight. upon inspection the cables 'looked' good but a closer look revealed the inner metal core completely corroded. moisture had worked its way under the black plastic sheathing and caused the failure.
fortunately there was no damage to the outside of the tailgate..

you can get replacements on e-bay etc.. and you need a T-45 bit to remove the bolt on the gate side.
just a heads up - check those cables!

 

I found a set at Autozone!

 

yeah autozone have them. went to fleabay and got 1/2 off autozoo, so essentially 2 for the price of one. got the gate jury rigged with heavy duty copper electrical wire in the meantime.... serviceable but no permanent fix.

 

Same thing happened to me. The steel wire strands should of been made of stainless. The plastic jacket that encompasses the steel wires should have had a "drain hole" cut into it at the bottom of the "loop" the cable makes when the tailgate is shut as it is at that point water will accumulate. AND the metal ends should have been sealed to prevent water from seeping into the cable strands.

 

ive always sealed the ends with silicone, have had one break before, someone told me about the silicone trick and ive done it ever since