Second Hand Volkswagen Taro Bonnet Strut

No — the Volkswagen Taro is a pickup truck based on the Toyota Hilux (fourth and fifth generation), and like those trucks it uses a conventional bonnet prop rod rather than a gas-assisted bonnet strut. There is no bonnet strut fitted to any variant of the Taro. If your bonnet is not staying up, the part you are looking for is the bonnet stay rod and its retaining clip, not a gas strut.

The part is commonly listed as a bonnet stay, bonnet prop rod, or bonnet support rod — search for these terms on Findapart to get quotes from breakers who have Taro or equivalent Toyota Hilux donor vehicles. Because the Taro was mechanically and bodily shared with the Toyota Hilux of the same era, breakers may also be able to supply the equivalent Toyota-badged part, so it is worth asking when you make contact.

No — because the Taro bonnet was never designed with strut mounts or hinges to accept a gas strut, there is no straightforward way to fit one from another model. If your bonnet prop rod is bent, missing, or the retaining clip has broken, replacing the rod and clip is the correct repair rather than attempting a strut conversion. A breaker supplying Taro or Hilux parts will be your best source for the correct stay rod.

On the Taro there is no gas strut to fail; the bonnet is held open solely by a metal prop rod that locates into a small bracket or hole on the underside of the bonnet. If the bonnet is dropping, the likely causes are a bent or missing prop rod, a broken retaining clip, or a worn bracket — all simple and inexpensive items to source from a breaker. Search Findapart for 'Volkswagen Taro bonnet stay' or 'Hilux bonnet prop rod' to find the correct part.