Parts for your 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero-Gas struts

1999 Mitsubishi Pajero gas struts — are they used?

Short answer: factory gas struts aren’t a thing on the 1999 Mitsubishi Pajero. Technical references including the Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero V20 Series Factory Service Manual (1997–1999, Body Group) note a bonnet support stay (prop rod) rather than gas-assisted struts, and a side-hinged rear “back door” with a mechanical check strap and stopper, not a lift-up tailgate with gas springs. The 1999 owner’s handbook likewise shows bonnet support via a rod and no gas-lift hardware on the rear door.

Why no gas struts? The 1999 Pajero’s design leans toward durability and outback reliability. A side-swing rear door that carries the spare wheel is better controlled by hinges and a check strap, and a simple bonnet prop rod is rugged, serviceable anywhere, and less likely to fail than a pressurised gas spring. That architecture avoids exposing gas struts to dust, mud and stone damage, and keeps weight and cost down while suiting heavy-duty use.

• Bonnet: supported by a steel stay, clipped into place when not in use (no OEM gas struts).
• Rear access: side-hinged back door with check strap and stopper (no liftgate-type gas struts).
• Rear glass: no separate flip-up glass on the 1999 model, so no small gas springs there either.

Plenty of owners retrofit bonnet gas struts for convenience. If considering that, the vehicle benefits from purpose-made brackets that use existing mounting points, anti-corrosion prep on any disturbed paint, and choosing strut force matched to any added accessories (bonnet sound deadening, dual-battery cabling, etc.). On the rear door, retrofitting gas assistance isn’t typical due to door mass and leverage from the spare wheel, the OEM hinge and check-strap layout is the right match for the job.

For regular servicing, it’s worth inspecting the bonnet stay clip so the rod doesn’t rattle, lightly lubricating rear door hinges and the check strap, and checking the door stopper rubbers. Those simple touch-ups keep the Pajero’s original, tough hardware working sweetly without the complexity of gas struts.

FAQs

Can gas struts be fitted to the bonnet of a 1999 Pajero?
Yes, aftermarket bonnet strut kits exist. The best kits include model-specific brackets that bolt to factory holes, avoiding drilling. Pick struts rated for the bonnet’s actual weight, allow clearance for snorkels or under-bonnet accessories, and touch up any disturbed paint to prevent rust. Correctly installed, they make one-handed bonnet lifting easy without affecting WOF/reg or roadworthiness.

Why doesn’t the rear door use gas struts like other SUVs?
The Pajero’s rear door is a side-hinged design that carries the spare wheel. Mitsubishi engineered it with robust hinges, a check strap and a stopper to manage swing and loads off-road. Gas springs suit liftgates, not heavy side-swing doors that cop dust, corrugations and leverage from the spare. The OEM setup is stronger and more reliable for touring and rough tracks.

What maintenance helps if there are no gas struts?
Give the bonnet stay clip and pivot a quick check, lube the rear door hinges and check strap occasionally, and inspect the door stopper rubbers. If fitting aftermarket bonnet struts, recheck fasteners after a few heat cycles and keep the shafts clean to prevent seal wear.