Tailgate support cables for Suburbans

[LIVEAnimals]

So I was cruising the LMC site looking for new support cables for my burb and that they have two different ones listed.

They show a 30-3815 1st design for years 73-89 and a 30-3816 for 89-91. The lady actually sent me the pics of them and really the only difference I see is the heat shrink on the ends of one of them.

My question to y'all, Is there a difference in length between the two types or are they charging $20 dollars for heat shrinking the ends. Here are the pics. Thanks for the help.

Also I called them and they couldn't tell me a length

 

[dyeager535]

Can't help on differences, but Dorman lists different part numbers for that year breakdown as well.

Any chance they had the springs that kept them out of the way as you shut the gate like the K5's did, and that was changed for some reason?

 

[LIVEAnimals]

My old 90 had the springs. This one doesn't have them but it does have a spot for them.

 

[dyeager535]

Have you tried looking up the GM part numbers for the two variations to see if GM also changed part number?

Sure does seem odd that they'd change part number if the only difference was the shrink tube, but if nothing else physically changed on the gate or body, I can't imagine what would drive the part number change just looking at those two "designs". Diameter appears similar, ends appear similar. Although looking closely, any chance they went from a shouldered bolt one year to a bolt/washer another, or something along those lines. Looks like the bolt hole COULD be a bit bigger on the second design pictured.