Parts for your 1999 Nissan Navara-Gas struts

1999 Nissan Navara D22 — gas struts and what’s actually fitted

For the 1999 Nissan Navara (D22), gas struts are not a factory‑fitted item on the bonnet or tailgate. The vehicle uses a bonnet support rod and tailgate cables/hinges rather than gas‑charged lift supports. This is confirmed in technical documentation: the Nissan Navara/Frontier D22 Workshop Manual (1997–2004) in the Body (BL) – Hood section specifies a support rod, and the D22 listings in the Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue don’t include a bonnet gas strut. The North American D22 (Frontier) Service Manual for 1998–2000 also details a prop‑rod bonnet arrangement. Gas struts do appear on certain accessories (like canopies or hard lids), but those are aftermarket or dealer accessories, not part of the base ute.

Why didn’t Nissan fit gas struts to the D22? A few sensible reasons:

• Durability and simplicity: A steel prop rod and cable tailgate setup suit rough work, dust, and off‑road use with less to fail.
• Cost and serviceability: Fewer moving, sealed components means lower build cost and easier field repairs.
• Packaging: On a ute tray and tailgate, struts can intrude into load space or be exposed to knocks and debris.

Owners will most often encounter gas struts on add‑ons such as:

• Canopies (side lift‑up windows and rear doors)
• Hard lids and some soft‑cover frames
• Aftermarket bonnet strut kits or tailgate assist dampers (the latter are often dampers rather than true gas struts)

If the Navara has accessory gas struts fitted, a quick health check during servicing is smart: make sure they lift and hold smoothly, don’t creak or bind, and aren’t weeping oil. Any bonnet or canopy that won’t stay up, needs a shove to move, or drops in cold weather usually points to weak struts. Match replacements by length (compressed/extended), end fittings (ball/stud size), and force rating (in newtons) printed on the cylinder, or cross‑reference the accessory brand and part number. Replace struts in pairs where applicable, support the panel safely while swapping, and avoid twisting the rod during installation. In Aussie and Kiwi conditions, dust and heat can shorten service life, so expect periodic renewal if the ute works hard outdoors.

Technical references used: Nissan Navara/Frontier D22 Workshop Manual (1997–2004), Body (BL) – Hood (support rod type), Nissan FAST EPC for D22 bonnet/tailgate parts (no bonnet gas strut listed), Nissan Frontier (D22) Service Manual, 1998–2000, Body – Hood (prop rod). Accessory fitments for canopies/hard lids may include gas struts but are not OEM to the base vehicle.

Popular questions

Did the 1999 Nissan Navara come with bonnet gas struts from factory?
No. The D22 bonnet is supported by a simple prop rod from the factory. Gas struts on the bonnet are an aftermarket upgrade, not an OEM fitment.

Can gas struts be fitted to the bonnet or tailgate of a 1999 Navara?
Yes, aftermarket kits exist. Bonnet kits typically include brackets and matched struts, tailgate “assist” kits often use dampers or torsion aids rather than classic gas struts. Choose a quality kit designed for the D22 and follow the fitting instructions carefully.

How do you choose replacement gas struts for a D22 canopy or hard lid?
Check the label on the old strut for length and force (N rating), note the end fittings, and measure compressed/extended lengths. Match those specs with reputable replacements, or quote the canopy/hard‑lid brand and model to a parts supplier.