Parts for your 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero-Gas struts

1991 Mitsubishi Pajero Gas Struts — Are They Used?

For the 1991 Mitsubishi Pajero (second-generation V20 series), gas struts aren’t a factory-fitted item for the bonnet or the rear door. The bonnet uses a simple prop rod, and the rear is a side-hinged tailgate with a mechanical check/stop rather than a lift-up hatch that would normally require gas-charged supports.

This isn’t just hearsay. The 1991 Pajero/Montero Owner’s Manual shows the bonnet being supported by a prop rod, not struts. The factory Workshop Manual (Body section for Doors/Tailgate) details a side-hinged rear door with a check strap/stop, with no gas spring procedure listed. Likewise, Mitsubishi’s electronic parts catalogues for the V2/V3/V4 Pajero list a bonnet support rod and tailgate check components, but no gas struts for bonnet or rear door for that year/model range.

Why didn’t Mitsubishi use gas struts back then? It comes down to design and durability for off-road touring. A side-hinged tailgate carrying a spare wheel is better served by strong hinges and a robust check strap, while the bonnet prop rod is simple, tough, and keeps maintenance easy when you’re hundreds of kays from town. Plenty of owners have since added aftermarket bonnet strut kits, but those are retrofits rather than factory gear.

• Bonnet: supported by a prop rod (no OEM gas struts).
• Rear door: side-hinged tailgate with mechanical check/stop (no OEM gas lift supports).
• Aftermarket: bonnet strut conversion kits exist, not original equipment.

If your Pajero has been modified with gas struts, treat them like any lift support: replace in pairs when weak, avoid forcing them closed, and keep mounting hardware snug. Otherwise, stick with routine checks—make sure the bonnet prop rod clips in securely, hinges are lubricated lightly, and the tailgate check/stop and latch are adjusted so the door doesn’t swing or rebound on slopes or in the wind.

Q: Can bonnet gas struts be fitted to a 1991 Pajero?

Yes—aftermarket kits are available. They’re handy when you’ve got tools out and don’t want a prop rod in the way. Choose model-specific brackets, follow torque specs, and check clearances so hoses and wiring aren’t pinched. It’s a common mod across Australia and New Zealand and doesn’t usually need certification.

Q: Does the rear door use a gas strut from factory?

No. The 1991 Pajero’s tailgate is side-hinged and uses a mechanical check/stop. If the door swings too freely or won’t hold position, inspect the hinge pins, check strap, stop, and bump rubbers, and adjust or replace those parts as needed.

Q: How do you maintain the original setup without gas struts?

Keep it simple: lightly lubricate bonnet and tailgate hinges, ensure the bonnet prop rod locks into its clip, and periodically inspect the tailgate check/stop and latch alignment. On corrugated roads or long trips, recheck fasteners so nothing loosens with vibration.