Parts for your 1997 Daihatsu Terios-Gas struts

1997 Daihatsu Terios gas struts — are they actually used?

Short answer: no, factory gas struts aren’t a thing on the 1997 Daihatsu Terios (J100 series). Technical references back this up. The Daihatsu Terios J100/J102 Workshop Manual (Body section: Back Door) details a side-hinged rear door with a mechanical door check/stopper and no liftgate struts. The Owner’s Manual for the same generation describes supporting the bonnet with a manual support rod, not gas struts. The Daihatsu Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for J100 lists a “hood support rod” and a “back door check” assembly, but no gas-pressurised lift supports for either end. That’s why “gas struts” aren’t relevant for this model in standard form.

Why didn’t Daihatsu fit them? The Terios uses a side-opening rear door with the spare wheel hung on it. That design relies on robust hinges and a check strap, rather than overhead lift struts, to manage the door’s swing and hold-open position. Up front, a simple bonnet prop rod keeps weight, cost and complexity down — a common approach on compact 4x4s of the era. With no top-hinged tailgate and no heavy bonnet insulation to lug around, there’s little need for gas lift supports.

Owners looking to “service the gas struts” on a 1997 Terios can instead focus on the parts that actually do the job:

• Rear door check/stopper: Inspect for wear, looseness or binding, lubricate pivot points lightly and replace if the detent no longer holds.
• Rear door hinges and latch: Check for sag, adjust alignment, clean and lube the latch and striker.
• Spare wheel carrier and mounts: Ensure the carrier and door mounts are tight, as extra weight stresses the hinges.
• Bonnet support rod and clips: Make sure the rod is straight, the retaining clip is secure, and the hinge area is lubricated.

Thinking about retrofitting gas struts? Aftermarket bonnet or rear-door gas stays do exist, but they weren’t factory on the ’97 Terios. Any retrofit should be engineered carefully to avoid overloading hinges, twisting the door, or interfering with the spare wheel. It’s smart to get advice from a qualified fabricator and consider local compliance and WOF/CoF requirements in NZ or state regulations in Australia.

Popular questions about 1997 Daihatsu Terios gas struts

Does the 1997 Terios have tailgate gas struts?
No. The rear door is side-hinged and uses a mechanical door check/stopper, not lift struts. If the door won’t stay open or moves too freely, the check strap or hinges likely need attention.

Can I fit gas struts to the bonnet on my ’97 Terios?
Yes, aftermarket kits can be adapted, but they’re not factory. Choose correct force ratings and mounting brackets, and confirm you’re not stressing the bonnet skin or hinges. If unsure, get a pro to assess it.

What should I maintain instead of gas struts?
Keep the rear door check/stopper, hinges, latch and spare-wheel carrier in good nick. For the front, make sure the bonnet prop rod and its clips are sound, and lightly lube pivot points during regular servicing.