Tailgate handle plastic clips

Hello,

I'm new here and relatively new to owning a Tacoma. I'm hoping someone will have pity on the new guy.

Recently, one of the small plastic clips that attached the rods from the latch to the tailgate handle broke. I'm not sure I'm explaining this very well. I'm not sure of the terminology so have not had much luck searching.

The photo shows the remaining clip as well as the remains of the broken clip.

There are products all over Amazon claiming to be the right clip. They're the right shape but significantly larger than the OEM clip (I ordered a set and returned them).

I'm wondering if anyone can help me perhaps with a part number, correct product, suggestions on where to look or any other info? It would be much appreciated!

Matt

 

Probably gonna have to buy a tailgate handle.

 

The pictures and drawings of tailgate handles I looked at showed empty holes with no plastic clips:-(

 

. Well shit. They may be a dealer item only.

 

Junkyard, tear open one with tailgate damage

 

Use a bit of fuel line or vacuum line that’s a tight fit?

 

Might be worth a trip to napa, I recall seeing them having assorted lock rod clips that may work

 

Check the “help” section.

 

I found this place recently. It’s not far from one of my work sites so it’s convenient for me. The few times I’ve gone there they had what I was looking for.

https://www.hillcofasteners.com/category

 

A friend found them!

$7 Dorman 75450 Door Lock Rod Clips Compatible with Select Models, 6 Piece

Dorman 75450

 

Go to your local dealer and tell them you want all of the tailgate handle clips and buy at least one full set and replace all of them at the same time. They're a weak point on these trucks and they get brittle over time and break which can leave you unable to open the tailgate without pulling the panel off and manually pulling the rods that retract the latch. Been there, done that and it sucks if you have anything in the way that interferes with accessing the screws holding the tailgate cover on such as bed braces. I did put zipties on as well in the hopes that it might help keep the rod(s) in place if they should fail again.

 

Yikes! I’d have to cut open my cover which would take $500-600 from what I’ve seen.

 

I've got a piece of HDPE plastic screwed to the OEM tailgate panel and the back of the truck is set up for camping with a cabinet down the left side so I had to use a stubby screwdriver to remove the panel then pull the OEM tailgate cap and panel out enough to reach in and pull the rod that actuates the latch. Needless to say I was not very happy with Toyota at that moment.