Parts for your 2011 Holden Colorado-Gas struts

2011 Holden Colorado gas struts — what’s actually fitted from factory

For the 2011 Holden Colorado (RC series), gas struts were not fitted from the factory to the bonnet or tailgate. Technical references that spell this out include the Holden Colorado RC Owner’s Handbook (MY11), which shows a manual bonnet prop-rod under the “Bonnet”/“Hood” section, and a drop-down tailgate supported by cables (no gas lift supports) in the body section. The GM/ACDelco EPC (Electronic Parts Catalogue) for RC body hardware also lists no lift-support struts for the bonnet or tailgate, and the platform-shared Isuzu TFR/TFS (D‑MAX) Service Manual depicts the same prop-rod and cable-supported tailgate arrangement. These sources confirm gas struts aren’t a standard or listed OEM part for the 2011 Colorado’s bonnet or tailgate.

Why didn’t Holden fit gas struts as standard? It comes down to the ute’s workhorse brief and practical design choices of the time:

• Cost and simplicity: A prop-rod and cable setup are cheaper, robust, and easy to service in fleet and rural use.
• Durability: Gas struts live a harder life on utes thanks to dust, mud, and water, a rod and cables are less fussy and tolerate abuse.
• Load expectations: The Colorado’s drop-down tailgate is built to be strong and straightforward, without dampers or lift assistance in OEM form.

Worth noting: some Colorados in the wild will have gas struts, but these are typically accessory items. Popular examples include:

• Canopy or hard-lid lift supports (rear glass or lid) — these use gas struts by design.
• Aftermarket bonnet strut kits — a convenience upgrade to delete the prop-rod.
• Tailgate-assist dampers or struts — to slow the drop and lighten the lift, not a factory fit for 2011 RC.

If the vehicle has accessory gas struts (like on a canopy or hard lid), treat them as wear items. Expect 3–7 years depending on use. Tell-tales they’re due include the lid or glass falling, needing a shoulder to hold open, or hissing/leaking oil at the rod seal. Replace in pairs, match end fittings and force rating (N), and keep the chrome rods clean. A quick wipe and a light silicone-friendly protectant help, avoid petroleum greases that can attack seals. Don’t confuse gas-charged shock absorbers with lift struts — they’re totally different parts and jobs.

Bottom line: from the factory, the 2011 Holden Colorado doesn’t run gas struts on the bonnet or tailgate. If they’re present, they’ll be aftermarket or tied to an accessory like a canopy or hard lid.

Popular questions

Do 2011 Holden Colorados have bonnet gas struts from factory?
No. The RC Colorado uses a manual prop-rod. Many owners add bonnet strut kits later for convenience, but it’s not an OEM fit for 2011.

Can gas struts be fitted to the tailgate?
Yes, as an aftermarket upgrade. Tailgate-assist kits add a damper or strut to slow the drop and ease lifting. They’re handy, especially if the ute sees daily use, but they weren’t a factory feature on 2011 models.

Are gas struts the same as shock absorbers?
Different jobs. Gas struts (lift supports) hold up lids, tailgates, and canopies. Shock absorbers control suspension movement. Some shocks are gas-charged, but they’re not interchangeable with lift struts.