Parts for your 1995 Mitsubishi Pajero-Gas struts

1995 Mitsubishi Pajero gas struts — are they used?

Short answer: from factory, the 1995 Mitsubishi Pajero (V2x series) didn’t use gas struts on the bonnet or the rear door. Technical references including the Mitsubishi Pajero factory workshop manual for the V20 series (1991–1999, Body and Hood sections), the Mitsubishi CAPS/ASA electronic parts catalogue for V24/V26 models, and popular service guides such as the Gregory’s/Gregg’s and Haynes manuals for Pajero/Montero confirm a bonnet prop rod arrangement and a side-hinged rear door with a mechanical door check and stopper, not lift-supported struts.

Why no gas struts? The Pajero’s rear is a side-swinging tailgate that carries the spare on the door. That layout is controlled by hinges and a robust door check so it can hold at set positions without relying on pressurised struts. For the bonnet, Mitsubishi kept it simple with a prop rod—tough, cheap, and reliable, especially for off‑road use where dust, mud and temperature swings can shorten the life of gas-charged hardware. Fewer moving parts means fewer dramas when you’re a long way from town.

That said, owners might still bump into gas struts on a ’95 Paj if they’ve been added later:

• Aftermarket bonnet strut kits are common and make one-handed opening a breeze.
• Some markets saw accessory dampers for the rear door, but these are not typical OEM items for 1995 models.

If a Pajero has retrofitted gas struts, basic care helps. Replace struts in pairs when the bonnet won’t stay up, lifts slowly, or when you spot oily residue on the shafts. Choose quality units with corrosion-resistant shafts and the right force rating for steel bonnets. Keep the shafts clean—don’t grease them—so the seals last. For the rear door hardware (factory setup), service the hinges and door check with suitable lubricant, check the stopper, and keep an eye on spare-wheel carrier bolts, as extra weight accelerates wear.

FAQs

Does a 1995 Mitsubishi Pajero have factory gas struts?
No. The factory setup is a bonnet prop rod and a side-hinged rear door with a mechanical door check/stopper. This is supported by the Mitsubishi factory workshop manual and the Mitsubishi CAPS/ASA parts catalogue, neither of which list OEM gas lift supports for the bonnet or rear door on 1995 models.

If you see gas struts on one, they’re almost certainly aftermarket additions.

Can bonnet gas struts be retrofitted to a 1995 Pajero?
Yes. Bolt-on kits are available and usually use existing mounting points. Pick struts matched to the bonnet’s weight and consider stainless or coated shafts if you’re near the coast or spend time on muddy tracks.

Installation is straightforward with basic tools, but check clearance with snorkels, bonnet protectors, and under-bonnet accessories. Replace in pairs for even lift and hold.

How should the rear door be maintained if there are no gas struts?
Keep the hinges and the door check/stopper clean and lubricated with a suitable product, and periodically adjust or replace the check if the door won’t hold in position. Also tighten and inspect the spare-wheel carrier hardware—its weight hangs off the same door and can accelerate hinge wear.

If a previous owner fitted a damper or strut to the rear door, check it for leaks or binding and remove/replace it if it interferes with proper door operation.