Parts for your 2016 Mazda Bt-50-Gas struts

2016 Mazda BT-50 Gas Struts — What’s Fitted and What’s Worth Fitting

Based on technical sources for the UP/UR series BT-50 (2012–2020), including the Mazda BT-50 Owner’s Manual and Workshop Manual body section, as well as the Mazda electronic parts listings for 2016 models, this ute was not factory-fitted with gas struts for the bonnet or the tub tailgate. The manuals depict a bonnet stay (prop rod) rather than lift supports, and the tailgate uses cable stays, not damped or spring-assisted struts. That puts the 2016 BT-50 in the same camp as its platform mate, the PX-series Ford Ranger, which also relies on a prop rod from factory.

Why no gas struts from new? It’s a mix of durability, cost, and simplicity. A steel prop rod is cheap, tough as nails, and unfussy about dust, mud, or heat. In trade and off-road use, fewer moving parts can mean fewer headaches. Likewise, the standard tailgate is supported by cables to keep the design light and easily serviceable, with optional assistance left to accessories.

That said, gas struts are absolutely relevant as an upgrade for convenience. Aftermarket bonnet strut kits make lifting and holding the bonnet easier, and tailgate assist kits use dampers or struts to slow the drop and reduce effort lifting back up. Many owners also run hard lids or canopies on the tub — those lids and canopy windows typically use gas struts as part of the accessory itself, not the base vehicle.

• Thinking about fitting gas struts? Choose a kit made for the 2016 BT-50 (UP/UR) with brackets that use existing mounting points, corrosion-resistant hardware, and struts rated correctly in newtons for your bonnet, tailgate, or lid.
• For servicing aftermarket struts: keep the shafts clean, don’t grease the rods, and replace pairs together when lift support weakens, the rod pits or rusts, or the end fittings loosen.
• If carrying accessories (bullbar, dual batteries, canopy, hard lid), pick strut ratings to suit the extra weight so the panel opens smoothly without slamming or topping out hard.

Bottom line: the 2016 BT-50 didn’t get gas struts from factory for the bonnet or tailgate, but quality aftermarket kits make day-to-day use easier and feel right at home on a work-and-weekend ute.

Popular questions about 2016 Mazda BT-50 gas struts

Do 2016 BT-50s come with gas struts from factory?
No. The 2016 BT-50 uses a bonnet prop rod and cable-supported tailgate as shown in Mazda’s owner and workshop manuals for the UP/UR series. Gas struts are common on canopies and hard lids, but those are accessories, not OE fitment on the ute itself.

Can gas struts be fitted to the bonnet or tailgate of a 2016 BT-50?
Yes. Bolt-on bonnet strut and tailgate assist kits are available and usually use existing holes with model-specific brackets. They make the bonnet easier to lift and the tailgate safer to drop and lighter to raise. Choose reputable kits matched to the BT-50 and follow torque specs supplied by the kit maker.

How long do aftermarket gas struts last, and how are they maintained?
Expect around 4–6 years depending on use and exposure. Wipe the rods clean, avoid lubricants on the shafts, and replace in pairs if lift weakens, the tailgate drops too quickly, or the bonnet won’t hold. In coastal or off-road conditions, inspect them at each service for corrosion or loose hardware.