Parts for your 2018 Toyota Hiace-Gas struts

2018 Toyota Hiace gas struts — what’s fitted and what to service

Based on technical sources, gas struts are used on 2018 Toyota Hiace models that have the single lift-up tailgate. Toyota’s Hiace H200 Repair Manual (Body – Back Door: Back Door Stay) details the gas “stay” for the back door, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) lists a “Stay Assy, Back Door” for 2014–2019 H200 tailgate variants. Major aftermarket catalogues (e.g., Stabilus Lift-O-Mat and Monroe Max-Lift) also specify gas springs for Hiace H200 tailgates. Hiace vans with twin swing-out rear doors don’t use gas struts, they use hinges and door checks. The bonnet on the H200 uses a prop rod, not gas struts, and the sliding door uses rollers, not gas springs.

For Hiace models with the lift-up tailgate, gas struts do the heavy lifting. They counterbalance the rear door so it lifts smoothly, holds itself up safely, and drops with a controlled, damped motion. When they’re healthy, one hand is all it takes to open the door, when they’re tired, the tailgate can feel heavy, drop unexpectedly, or refuse to stay up—especially on cold mornings.

As part of regular servicing on a 2018 Hiace, it’s smart to give the tailgate struts a quick once-over every 12 months or 20,000 km. Wipe the chrome shafts clean, check for oil mist or dents, and make sure the ball studs and brackets are snug and rust-free. Don’t grease the shafts—grease attracts grit and chews out the seals. If the door no longer stays up, if you hear creaks, or if you need a big shove to get it open, the struts are due. Replace them in pairs so lift and damping stay even.

DIY replacement is straightforward, but support the tailgate with a prop or a helper before you start. Flick up the retaining clip at each socket, pop the old strut off the ball, then press the new strut on (rod end typically mounts rod-down to keep the internal seal lubricated). Double-check clip engagement and that the door opens and holds at full height. If brackets have play or corrosion, sort that at the same time.

If your 2018 Hiace has twin rear barn doors, gas struts aren’t used because those doors pivot sideways and are controlled by hinges and check straps, not by counterbalance springs. In that case, focus maintenance on hinge lubrication, door checks, and latch alignment.

• Common signs they’re failing: tailgate drops or won’t stay up, sluggish lift in cold weather, oily film on the strut body, uneven lift side-to-side.
• Good practice: replace in pairs, keep shafts clean, avoid clamping the rod with tools, and support the door during any work.

Popular questions

Does my 2018 Toyota Hiace have gas struts?
Many do—if it has the single lift-up tailgate, it’ll use a pair of gas struts. If it has twin swing-out rear doors, there are no gas struts on the back. The bonnet uses a prop rod on all H200 models.

How long do Hiace tailgate struts last?
Roughly 5–10 years is typical, depending on use, climate, and how often the tailgate is opened. If the door feels heavy, sags, or won’t stay up—especially in cooler weather—plan a pair replacement.

Can Hiace gas struts be re-gassed?
They’re sealed units, re-gassing isn’t reliable for this application. Replacement with quality new struts is the go-to fix and is usually quick and affordable.