Parts for your 2000 Daihatsu Terios-Gas struts

Are gas struts used on the 2000 Daihatsu Terios?

Short answer: no. On the first‑generation Daihatsu Terios (J100/J102, including the 2000 model year), gas struts aren’t an original feature. Technical references such as the Daihatsu Terios J100/J102 workshop manual (Body section) and the Daihatsu/Toyota EPC for the related Toyota Cami J102 list a bonnet prop rod rather than a gas stay, and a side‑hinged rear door with a mechanical check strap and hinges rather than gas struts. There’s no factory “stay assembly, back door” (the term usually used for hatch/liftgate gas struts) shown for this model.

Design-wise, the 2000 Terios uses a side‑hinged rear door with the spare wheel mounted externally. That layout doesn’t need gas struts because the door swings sideways, not upwards. Instead, it relies on hinges and a door check to control opening and hold‑open detents. Up front, the bonnet is supported by a simple prop rod, a common and cost‑effective setup for small SUVs of the era.

• Rear door: side‑hinged, mechanical check strap, no gas struts.
• Bonnet: steel prop rod, no gas struts from factory.

Why they’re not used comes down to packaging, weight, and reliability. A swing‑out rear door with a tyre on it places loads on hinges rather than on lift struts, keeps the opening clear for tall loads, and avoids the long‑term fade that gas struts can suffer. The prop rod on the bonnet is simple, light, and robust — handy for rough‑and‑tumble use across Aussie and Kiwi backroads.

What should owners pay attention to instead? Keep the rear door hinges and check strap lubricated, and inspect the door alignment and latch for smooth operation. Given the spare’s weight, it’s smart to check the carrier bolts and hinge fasteners for tightness at service intervals. For the bonnet, make sure the prop rod clip is secure, the rod is straight, and the bonnet latch and secondary catch are cleaned and lubricated periodically.

Aftermarket bonnet gas‑strut kits do exist for some vehicles, and universal solutions can be adapted, but they require brackets and careful fitment. Extra loads on thin bonnet skins or on hinge mounts can cause distortion if not engineered properly. For the side‑hinged rear door, retrofitting a gas strut is generally not recommended without custom engineering because of geometry and weight.

• Does the 2000 Daihatsu Terios have gas struts on the bonnet or rear door?
  It doesn’t. The bonnet uses a prop rod, and the rear door is side‑hinged with a check strap. No factory gas struts were fitted.
• Can gas struts be retrofitted to a 2000 Terios?
  Bonnet struts can sometimes be adapted with aftermarket brackets, but proper engineering is essential to avoid panel damage. The side‑hinged rear door is not a practical candidate due to its design and spare‑wheel load.
• What should be serviced instead of gas struts on a 2000 Terios?
  Focus on rear door hinges, check strap, latch, and spare‑carrier fasteners, and on the bonnet prop rod, clip, and latch. Clean, lube, and check fasteners at regular service intervals.