fresh and waste water tank mounting locations undercarriage?

[waren]

I'm looking at importing a bongo and doing a conversion. I have been googling but can't find any reference to confirm if the bongo is unibody or chassis on frame?

I am hoping there is some kind of frame rail I can mount fresh and grey water tanks to!

[the1andonly]

Yes you can fit underchassis tanks. some here have had them fitted.
A source is http://caktanks.co.uk/ . they list many for specific applications but not the Bongo and did not come up with any suggestions when I asked. Unless someone identifies specific sizes and locations you will have to get underneath and look. Sorry to be less than totally positive.

[Simon Jones]

You can see the floor pan and chassis rails on this diagram: http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

[waren]

Thanks for replying.

I should clarify my inquiry. I am hoping that the bongo has a full length ladder frame that the drivetraine is mounted to and that the body is then mounted to the frame. unibody construction famously employed in the beetle and other VW vehicles employs a sheet metal shell with front and rear subframes (really just beefed up sheetmetal body) for mounting the engine and driveline (transmission, engine, front suspension, rear axle, etc.).

Typically on a unibody vehicle things are pretty thin and flimsy between the front and rear subframes. (The regidity comes from the "unit" as a whole not an individual member like a full length frame rail.) The benefit unibody is weight savings for equivalent strength, the problem is that weight savings comes in areas that were not designed to carry concentrated loads ... like the thin sheetmetal floor for example.

I was hoping to carry 45L of fresh water and some capacity for grey water. So that means mounting 100lbs of water somewhere under there securely enough that it wont vibrate and elongate or crack the sheet metal near the mounting location holes.

I would love to see some pictures of tanks fitted or even just some pictures of the undercarriage ... I cant find any

[waren]

You can see the floor pan and chassis rails on this diagram: http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

great picture!

based on this drawing I would say that the bongo is a "heavy duty" unibody design. There may be an opportunity to build a bracket between the frame rail and the inside of the rocker panel to support the tanks.

A photo of this area on an actual van would be greatly appreciated, to visualize things like brake lines, fuel lines and wiring that may be in the way.

[Simon Jones]

There are a few photos of the underside on these posts:
http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... da#p588756
http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... 54#p588319

Bear in mind that if you choose 4WD diesel, there is a bit more going on under the van with transfer box to the front propshaft. Quite a few people have fitted tanks underneath so have a search on the forum.

Alternatively, rip out the rear heater and fit a tank in its place:

[waren]

Great pictures! The full length shot of the exhaust was perfect.

I was thinking of using 6" or 8" diameter plastic plumbing pipe to "build" two 6' long tanks one for fresh and one for grey. I thought these might be easier to fit than a "box" tank. If the box goes in easy great.

[briwy]

Couple of pictures of the underfloor fresh water tank on our first Bongo. This was a Wellhouse conversion and had a waste tank in the same position as Simon's photos.
Not sure about capacity but I think our present one is about 25L. This seems plenty for us and it's easy enough to top up if necessary. Our present JAL Bongo has the tank in the same position, without the rust thankfully. No waste tank at present. The pipe just comes out underneath and we use a collapsible container. TBH I don't think we will bother fitting a waste tank as it can get pretty grotty and smelly and I don't really want to waste fuel carting dirty water around.

[waren]

Thanks for the fantastic pictures, really helpful.

I think that most camp grounds here near the rockies are now requiring grey water tanks most likely to reduce environmental impacts and bear "problems". So I think I am stuck.

The ability to clean the "tanks" is one reason I was considering using pipe for the tanks with one glued cap and one threaded there would be good access for pressure washing. Not as space efficient as that "box" tank in your pictures though.

Thanks again.

[Simon Jones]

I think that most camp grounds here near the rockies are now requiring grey water tanks most likely to reduce environmental impacts and bear "problems". So I think I am stuck.

Rockies, bears...I'm guessing you're not from round these parts?

[waren]

I think that most camp grounds here near the rockies are now requiring grey water tanks most likely to reduce environmental impacts and bear "problems". So I think I am stuck.

Rockies, bears...I'm guessing you're not from round these parts?

Nope, I'm about 4200 miles west in Alberta, Canada.

The Bongos are way off the radar here. I have been wanting a camper van for years, but VW are pretty much the only option locally and they fetch a premium price, despite rust and reliability issues. There are also some professional conversions on full size commercial low roof vans with pop tops but they are rare and pricey as well. And there are issues;
1) They have 5.4L V8's which makes them thirsty beasts (15-18 mpg).
2) There are only 3 shoulder belts in the whole vehicle! And the seats dont slide.
3) Also water tanks, heater, and leisure battery are all mounted inside the conversion space taking up valuable space.
http://www.pleasureway.com/traverse.php
I could do a custom conversion on a full size passenger van but the local the final cost will be much higher than a bongo.

I found the Bongo while seaching camper vans, and ultimately found my way here!

I am obsessed with getting a bongo now, but since I am buying without ever even having seen one in person I am trying to think of every little detail. Bongos are a wee bit smaller than the local but I like the idea of fitting it in the garage and getting 30 mpg!

Bongo Fury!