Parts for your 2010 Nissan Navara-Gas struts

2010 Nissan Navara gas struts — what’s actually fitted from factory?

Based on factory documentation, gas struts are not a standard, factory-fitted component on the 2010 Nissan Navara (D40) for the bonnet or the drop-down tailgate. The Nissan Navara D40 Series Service Manual (2010), Body/Exterior (BL) section, specifies a bonnet support rod rather than gas dampers, and shows tailgate support cables rather than gas-assisted stays. The 2010 Owner’s Manual instructions for opening the bonnet also describe using a support rod. In the Nissan Electronic Parts Catalogue (FAST) for D40 models of this era, the catalogue lists the hood support rod and tailgate support cables, with no gas “stay” or damper listed for the bonnet or tailgate on factory trays.

So, for a 2010 Navara, “gas struts” aren’t relevant to the bonnet or OE tailgate setup unless an accessory has been added. Gas struts commonly appear on accessories like canopies, hard lids, or aftermarket tailgate-assist kits — but these are add-ons, not original equipment from Nissan for the base vehicle.

Why didn’t Nissan fit gas struts to the D40 from new?

• Durability and simplicity: A steel support rod and tailgate cables handle dust, mud, and rough tracks without seals or gas pressures to worry about.
• Cost and serviceability: Props and cables are cheap, tough, and easy to replace anywhere in Aus or NZ.
• Use case: Work utes benefit from fewer failure points, gas struts can fade over time, especially with heavy lids or harsh temperature swings.

If someone wants the convenience of gas assistance, there are bonnet strut kits and tailgate-assist kits designed for the D40 that use existing hinge/guard points or bolt-on brackets. For canopies and hard lids, gas struts are standard practice — just match the strut force to the lid weight, replace in pairs when they sag, and keep the chrome shafts clean (no grease on the shafts, as it attracts grit and damages seals).

Can gas struts be fitted to a 2010 Navara bonnet or tailgate?

Yes — aftermarket kits are widely available. Bonnet kits usually use bracketry at the hinges and guards with no drilling, while tailgate-assist kits use a gas strut or torsion rod to reduce lift weight. Check compatibility with snorkels, bullbars, and canopy setups to ensure nothing fouls the struts through the full opening range.

How do you tell if your Navara already has gas struts?

The factory bonnet will have a manual support rod, if you see small gas cylinders mounted between the bonnet and guard, that’s an aftermarket kit. The OE tailgate uses cables only. If you’ve got a canopy or hard lid, those almost always use gas struts to hold the glass or lid open.

What maintenance do accessory gas struts need?

Keep the shafts clean and dry — avoid greasing them. Replace in pairs if the lid or bonnet won’t stay up or opens sluggishly, and choose the correct force rating (Newtons) for the accessory’s weight. In coastal or off-road use, consider stainless hardware and inspect brackets for loosening after corrugated-road trips.