Parts for your 2015 Mazda Bt-50-Gas struts

2015 Mazda BT-50 gas struts — are they actually used?

Short answer: from factory, the 2015 Mazda BT-50 doesn’t use gas struts on the body. The bonnet is held up by a prop rod, and the tub tailgate is supported by cables — not gas-assisted dampers. This is shown in the Mazda BT-50 (2012–2018) Workshop Manual in the Body/Exterior and Tailgate sections, and in the 2015 Owner’s Manual illustrations of the bonnet stay. The Mazda Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for this model also lists no OE lift supports for the bonnet or tailgate. Being twin-under-the-skin to the Ford Ranger PX (T6), the Ranger’s workshop documentation shows the same arrangement.

Why no gas struts? It’s a tough ute built for work. A steel prop rod and cable-supported tailgate are simple, rugged and cost-effective, with fewer moving parts to fail in dusty, muddy and coastal conditions common across Australia and New Zealand. The BT-50’s front suspension is a double-wishbone with a separate coil-over damper (not a MacPherson strut), so there’s no “gas strut” in the suspension either — confirmed in the factory suspension section of the workshop manual.

That said, plenty of owners add gas-assisted bits as accessories. Common add-ons include:

• Bonnet gas-strut kits (bolt-on brackets, no drilling on most kits)
• Tailgate assist kits (gas strut or torsion-rod to ease lowering/raising)
• Canopy windows and hard lids with gas struts

If fitting aftermarket gas struts, pick quality units with corrosion-resistant shafts (stainless or properly coated), match force ratings to the bonnet or lid weight, and install in pairs to keep things even. Keep the shaft clean, don’t grease the rod (it attracts grit), and replace both sides if one goes weak. For tradies and tourers, a tailgate assist can make life easier without changing the ute’s basic layout.

Technical sources referenced: Mazda BT-50 2012–2018 Workshop Manual (Body/Exterior – Bonnet and Tailgate, Suspension – Front), Mazda BT-50 2015 Owner’s Manual (Bonnet support), Mazda Electronic Parts Catalogue (no OE bonnet/tailgate lift supports listed), Ford Ranger PX (T6) Workshop Manual for platform equivalence.

Popular questions about 2015 Mazda BT-50 gas struts

Can bonnet gas struts be fitted to a 2015 BT-50?
Yes. Aftermarket bonnet strut kits are common and usually bolt to existing mounting points. They free up a hand when working under the bonnet and feel more modern, without modifying the core vehicle structure.

Does the BT-50 tailgate have gas struts from factory?
No. It uses support cables. If you want a softer, controlled drop, look for a tailgate assist kit that adds a gas damper or torsion helper. It won’t change payload, but it does improve day-to-day usability.

Are there any factory gas struts on a stock BT-50?
Not on the body. You’ll only see gas struts on accessories like canopies, hard lids or certain tonneau setups. Those are accessory items and can be serviced or replaced independently of the vehicle’s standard gear.