Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Looking for hard to find bull-bars etc? Or have something to give away for free? This is the place for you! NO TRADE! NB You can stipulate postage costs when giving away items, but no selling! Items for sale go in 'Small Ads' on here, or 'For Sale' on http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/bongo.htm

Moderator: francophile1947

john14.6
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:15 am

Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by john14.6 » Wed Jun 19, 2019 1:50 am

Hi all

Not sure where to start,
The wife and i have wanted a bongo for about years 9 now but with work and my obsession with spending all my money on motorbikes we never took the leap, but we now have a 2 and a half year old boy and a 12 week boy all the bike are slowly going [ gonna keep the 2002 ktm200 exc] Anyhow after checking out a few rust buckets we found a beautiful 51 plate tick all the boxes but when it came to answering question he didnt have a clue [unable to lift seat and show me where the dip stick was ] so after lots of promises we agree on a price as long as the paper work checked out, [paperwork was at his office] so after a longday/evening with the boys we were going home very happy thinking we had finally done it, Cut long story sort the cam belt had not been changed since 2010,for the last 2 years mot advise discs and pads and still not changed no paper work for any service or work since 2015,,,,,,,,, Anyhow i had a long phone call with a chap named jac from worthing what a guy wealth of knowlege, and he advised me to come on to here and post a wanted add list what im looking for

a few years back we would of gone for any conversion but with the 2 young boys we have our hearts set on one conversion we have seen,[ slim line side conversion] from what we can tell its by a company called ava leisure,

We are looking for a 2,0L aft, 4 berth 51 or newer under 100 thou pref rust free
maintenance done buy bongo specialist or passionate owner
would like lpg but not a deal breaker
but we only {and i hate how i sound right now, but we have looked at so many conversions and feel this is the one ] want the slim line side conversion. It is grey has a sink pull/pop up hob a top loader fridger and the rear seat are modified and can run back and forth on the runner and aslo turn into a bed. as mentioned i believe its done by ava leisure not sure if they are still around, If you have managed to get this far thank you very much as i know this wanted add is for less than 1% of its readers

kind regards
Bob
Supreme Being
Posts: 15255
Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by Bob » Wed Jun 19, 2019 8:01 am

Welcome aboard. 8)

Due to your very specific requirements I would look to sourcing your Bongo first and then get the conversion done.

There will be one out there just as you describe, you may be lucky and find it, and it may be for sale... [-o<
Alkers
Bongolier
Posts: 219
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2015 4:33 pm

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by Alkers » Wed Jun 19, 2019 10:05 am

john14.6 wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 1:50 am Anyhow after checking out a few rust buckets we found a beautiful 51 plate tick all the boxes but when it came to answering question he didnt have a clue [unable to lift seat and show me where the dip stick was ] so after lots of promises we agree on a price as long as the paper work checked out, [paperwork was at his office] so after a longday/evening with the boys we were going home very happy thinking we had finally done it, Cut long story sort the cam belt had not been changed since 2010,for the last 2 years mot advise discs and pads and still not changed no paper work for any service or work since 2015,,,,,,,,,
If you can get a reasonable price on that van, you could just catch up on all the maintenance once you own it. That's if it ticks all of your other (quite onerous) boxes?
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22871
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by mikeonb4c » Wed Jun 19, 2019 11:57 am

Welcome! I could well be wrong but the first time I came across talk of slimline conversions it was JAL in Worcester who were promoting them. The point is perhaps though that they may be more common than just AVA Leisure ones. I would offer this thought:

I had three kids and bought unconverted, wishing i could have afforded a conversion. But its MPV usefulness, then making cheap but very versatile/removeable DIY units, still having a large bed downstairs and in the roof, the ease of lifting the engine covers with no side conversion obstructing them, all meant I soon started to see the advantages of unconverted and 13 years later mine remains unconverted. However, with kids now grown, the Bongo is for my exclusive use and I can have an excellent set up with single bed on one side whilst on the other side, solar panel driven coolbox, portapotti, side unit with my camping 2 burner and grill sat on top (and still with counter space to one side), water container, gas bottle etc, and porch entry / wet boot removal space via tailgate entry using a towbar mounted step (tailgate can have windbreak draped over and pegged for more shelter). A clothing tray goes up in the front bit of the roof once its raised, the false ceiling in the back half being raised so i have standing toom inside.

So there's a lot to be said for buying unconverted then (maybe!) getting it converted later when you've a better idea of what you really want most.

Good luck and keep us posted.
john14.6
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by john14.6 » Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:03 pm

Thanks for you replies, we have explored the unconverted route, but feel the cost of a brand new conversion around 5 grand would mean we could only budget 4-5 for the bongo, but if we found the right conversion from someone who has loved it but maybe outgrown their bongo i feel this is the greatest value for money. The reason for wanting the slim line conversion was that we could have slightly wider back seats for the two car seats that would also be our bed.

We did go back to the chap and talk about price he was willing to drop another £800 off, but the quote we had for cam belt, ten, water pump and 2 seals came to £1000+ and i would do disks and pads myself... but likely be more as think the gear box has now gone into limp mode so its just a road i dont wanna go down right now.

This is a lifestyle change for us, and want to use it for day trips and weekends away with the boys but this will also be my wifes main car.

kind regards
User avatar
Tony x
Tribal Elder
Posts: 511
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:23 pm
Location: Taunton

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by Tony x » Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:32 pm

Sounds like you prefer mx bikes?
Maybe your kids will want to follow in your tracks.
We've used Bongos for this purpose for years and find we can carry 2 kids bikes plus 5 people reasonably easily.
Even now we can still manage a full size adult bike, a big wheel 85 (the largest kids size bike you can and one step down from adult size) plus 3 people although it's a tight squeeze and needs a specially made single rear seat.
This is all with an unconverted van.
Maybe you should buy two?
john14.6
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by john14.6 » Wed Jun 19, 2019 7:56 pm

Wow all that in a bongo, getting too old for mx [41 this year] more into enduro, also i have a ford transit to haul my bikes, can carry 3 full size enduro bikes

love an 85, just sold my wifes yz 85 last christmas that bike was a rocket, we also have a drz 125l 2011 and yz 125 2006 that need to go, gonna keep the ktm 200exc

regards
john14.6
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by john14.6 » Thu Jun 20, 2019 1:46 am

Is it so that the 2.0L is the most reliable, it will be my wifes daily with 2 young kids, we wanted v6 but were told £1000+ for cam, pump and seals but only about £250 for the 2.0L and diesel. v6 alternator £270 new, hard to find a recon and £40 for diesel and 2.0L recon alt, easy to get and so on........

I read on here the 20l is sluggish and not the one to go for, if the gov were not in the process of killing off diesels i think i would

any fresh thoughts as the posts were back 2007
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22871
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by mikeonb4c » Thu Jun 20, 2019 3:00 pm

john14.6 wrote: Thu Jun 20, 2019 1:46 am Is it so that the 2.0L is the most reliable, it will be my wifes daily with 2 young kids, we wanted v6 but were told £1000+ for cam, pump and seals but only about £250 for the 2.0L and diesel. v6 alternator £270 new, hard to find a recon and £40 for diesel and 2.0L recon alt, easy to get and so on........

I read on here the 20l is sluggish and not the one to go for, if the gov were not in the process of killing off diesels i think i would

any fresh thoughts as the posts were back 2007 i think]
The 2.0l petrol is the most sensible for simplicity, reliability, and low maintenance cost (though a well behaved diesel is just as cheap). If it weren't for the fact that I've had my (uber reliable) diesel for 12+ years and totally love its great torque and load lugging ability, it'd probably be my choice.
john14.6
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by john14.6 » Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:53 pm

Hi. After lots more reading and talking to my wife, we think you[mikeonb4c] make the best argument, We are now looking for an 8 seater 2.0L. poss 2.5D. and make a removable unit, i should be able to weld something onto the bottom so it slots into the seat runners, making it secure and removable

Thanks
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22871
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by mikeonb4c » Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:08 pm

john14.6 wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:53 pm Hi. After lots more reading and talking to my wife, we think you[mikeonb4c] make the best argument, We are now looking for an 8 seater 2.0L. poss 2.5D. and make a removable unit, i should be able to weld something onto the bottom so it slots into the seat runners, making it secure and removable

Thanks
Happy hunting and hope manage to find something special. Keep us posted if you get a chance.
john14.6
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by john14.6 » Tue Jun 25, 2019 12:22 pm

Tony x wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 6:32 pm Sounds like you prefer mx bikes?
Maybe your kids will want to follow in your tracks.
We've used Bongos for this purpose for years and find we can carry 2 kids bikes plus 5 people reasonably easily.
Even now we can still manage a full size adult bike, a big wheel 85 (the largest kids size bike you can and one step down from adult size) plus 3 people although it's a tight squeeze and needs a specially made single rear seat.
This is all with an unconverted van.
Maybe you should buy two?
Hi is that your bongo for sale?
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22871
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by mikeonb4c » Tue Jun 25, 2019 1:17 pm

john14.6 wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:53 pm Hi. After lots more reading and talking to my wife, we think you[mikeonb4c] make the best argument, We are now looking for an 8 seater 2.0L. poss 2.5D. and make a removable unit, i should be able to weld something onto the bottom so it slots into the seat runners, making it secure and removable

Thanks
Just sent you a PM
TheLongRoad
Bongolier
Posts: 480
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:39 pm

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by TheLongRoad » Tue Jun 25, 2019 4:34 pm

I've a 2.0ltr and yes it can be slow on the hills, but around town it keeps up easily. It's just long climbs on motorways where it will drop the gears and rev... but that's what the hold button is for - catch it before the climb and select hold. That way you avoid the auto dropping down the gears all the time. Whichever you go for, avoid a rusty one, fit the low coolant alarm and get ready for a big smile on your face. It's my happy car. :D
2002 Friendee 2.0 ltr Petrol.
john14.6
Junior Bongonaut
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Wanted bongo, i want to buy

Post by john14.6 » Tue Jun 25, 2019 8:15 pm

Thank "thelongroad" not sure i like that, i had a brakedown truck once that use to do that to me on long uphills, thinking 2.5d going to look at one this friday, bit far away though but looks like a good one. Fingers crossed
Post Reply

Return to “Stuff Wanted/ Free Stuff/Swaps”