One problem related to tailgate latch has been reported for the 1998 GMC C1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I was standing on the tailgate unloading oil and the driver's side cable on the tailgate broke. I was not injured but was upset because I thought maybe there would be damage to my tailgate, that it may may dented or sprung. I purchased a new cable and installed. I questioned the cable as to how it looked when broken. It almost looks as though it was cut. The cable being covered did not show any signs of wear. I would have thought the cable should have broken in strands. It just seems to be an unusual break.