Parts for your 1998 Nissan Navara-Gas struts

1998 Nissan Navara gas struts: what’s actually on the ute

For the 1998 Nissan Navara (D22), factory gas struts are not fitted to the bonnet or tailgate. Technical references including the Nissan Navara D22 Service Manual (Body/BL and Rear Body/RB sections, model years 1997–2004), the Nissan FAST parts catalogue for D22, and workshop guides such as Gregory’s/Ellery’s for D21/D22 show a bonnet support rod (stay) with a clip, and a tailgate supported by cable stays and hinges—no gas struts listed or illustrated as OEM equipment. That means “gas-struts” aren’t a standard part on the 1998 Navara.

Why didn’t Nissan use gas struts on this model? The D22 was designed as a tough, simple workhorse. A steel bonnet prop and cable-stay tailgate are rugged, cheap to manufacture, and highly reliable in remote and dusty conditions where the Navara commonly works. Gas-charged dampers can lose pressure and performance over time, especially with heat, grit and UV exposure—so a basic mechanical support suited Nissan’s durability brief for the ute.

It’s common to see gas struts on accessories though. Canopy rear glass, aftermarket hard lids, and some bonnet or tailgate-assist kits use gas struts to make lifting easier and to soften the drop. These are accessory solutions rather than factory fit for the 1998 model year.

• If adding gas struts (bonnet kits, tailgate assist, hard lid or canopy), match the strut force (N), length, and end fittings to the specific accessory. The accessory maker’s spec beats guesswork.
• Replace struts in pairs to keep lift smooth and even. A weak mate will make the good one work too hard.
• Watch for tell-tales: the panel no longer stays up, needs extra shove to open, drops in cold weather, or there’s an oily film on the rod—these point to a strut that’s lost charge.
• Keep the chrome rods clean, don’t grease them. Wipe off dust and avoid nicks that chew out seals.

Bottom line: the 1998 Navara didn’t leave the factory with gas struts on the bonnet or tailgate, by design. Owners who’ve added a canopy, hard lid, or assist kit should treat those gas struts as consumables and check them during regular servicing so the panels lift, hold and close safely.

Does a 1998 Nissan Navara have factory bonnet gas struts?

No. The D22 bonnet uses a steel support rod and clip. The Nissan D22 Service Manual and parts catalogue list the bonnet stay and related hardware, not gas struts. Any bonnet struts seen on these utes are aftermarket kits.

Can the 1998 Navara tailgate be fitted with gas struts or an assist?

Yes, as an accessory. Tailgate assist kits use gas struts or dampers to slow the drop and reduce lift effort, but they don’t hold the tailgate up like a hatch—they just counterbalance and control movement. Choose a kit designed for the D22 tub and hinges.

What size or force gas struts suit a hard lid on a 1998 Navara?

It depends on the lid’s weight, hinge geometry and mounting points. Many fibreglass lids run roughly 400–700 N per strut, but the correct rating comes from the lid manufacturer. Measure extended length (centre-to-centre), match brackets/ball studs, and replace both struts together.