Parts for your 2001 Toyota Rav4-Gas struts

2001 Toyota RAV4 gas struts — what’s fitted and what’s not

For the 2001 Toyota RAV4 (XA20 series), gas struts aren’t a factory-fitted item on either end. The rear opening is a side-hinged back door (not a top-hinged liftgate), and the bonnet is held up with a simple prop rod. That means there are no gas-charged lift supports to service or replace on this model as delivered from Toyota.

This isn’t just workshop lore. Technical literature backs it up: the Toyota RAV4 Owner’s Manual for the XA20 generation shows a bonnet support rod and a side-opening back door with a mechanical door stay. The Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) lists a “hood support rod” and related clips for the bonnet, and for the back door it lists hinges, a check strap/door stay and spare-wheel carrier hardware — but no gas struts. The Body Repair Manual for the XA20 RAV4 also details the side-hinged back door assembly and check mechanism rather than any gas-lift supports.

Why no gas struts? Two main reasons:

• Back door design: The 2001 RAV4 uses a right-hinged rear door with the spare wheel mounted on it. That layout relies on hinges and a check strap to control swing and hold positions. Gas struts are suited to top-hinged hatches