Curtains?

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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fordavefreda

Curtains?

Post by fordavefreda » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:17 pm

anyone any ideas on curtains for the front and rear, my freda has the rails there, already searched on some of the links on here, came up wi nowt.
toying on the idea of making some but where do i get the rail hooks?

dave
vic swan

Post by vic swan » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:35 pm

Got some sliders for the rear windows from Wilkinsons. Wife had to sow them onto the curtains though. :D
chavendar

curtains?

Post by chavendar » Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:52 pm

I have a Ford Freda. I want to fit curtains behing front seats and at the rear. I would like to see the various options before I decide to fit them. Does anyone have any pics and advice about fitting them from scratch and where to buy a kit or the parts?

Anyone in Plymouth area who has curtains fitted? If so, can I have a look at how they are fitted?
maglett

Post by maglett » Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:16 pm

my curtains are on runners - rear and front windscreens.

I've often been tempted to put some kind of velcro strip up instead and attach curtains to it. That way they would go up really quickly and could be removed just as easily. When I'm driving I often aquire a 'curtain' blind spot, and on the odd occasion the rear curtains have unravelled so I can't see out the back!
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mikeonb4c
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Post by mikeonb4c » Tue Dec 26, 2006 6:34 pm

Theres been a thread on here before about curtain behind the drivers seat and how a cheap and simple way is to get a sprung telescopic curtain rail from Woolworths or somewhere, make curtains youself, and just spring the rail and curtains into place when needed, leave them off when not.

I've been trying to get curtains off ebay but the prices are way to much for me - I'm not paying that! And anyway, the kids want to have flowery ones - and why not! :lol: :lol:
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madmile
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Post by madmile » Tue Dec 26, 2006 7:41 pm

The factory fitted curtain rails for the rear door are a top/bottom rail which are quite simple to make as they are screwed to the rear door.
The front curtains are either one rail going over the ceiling above the headrests, or two rails going all the way round the cab. Both these ways have their pros and cons, and making them, particularly the full cab ones requires some delicate bending of the rail and some fittings that mount under the visor mounts via thin metal tabs.
If i were putting cab curtains up then personally I would go for the full cab idea as it allows you to fill up the cab with all you bits and pieces at bed time whilst keeping out of view.
The other option is to go for a set of silver screens. I may be accussed of bias here as I sell these, so being honest a definite downside would be the need to store these when not in use, and due to the fact they are insulated - they dont pack down that small.
If you fancy making a set of curtains/ rails you can buy the narrow gauge annodised aluminium rail and small sliders from Autocraft Tel 01246 471199. This is very similar to the factory fitted rail. You may need to ask then to cut it approx to length in order to get it posted.
To bend it around tight corners withou kinking it you need to fill the section to be bent with sliders- then just bend it around you knee.
Bumbly1

Post by Bumbly1 » Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:08 pm

Have you considered silverscreens? They give much more usable space and have some thermal properties keeping heat in. They are available at the club shop.
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Post by neil/di » Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:39 pm

I am with you on this one Tom,I shall be investing in some siver thermal screens,I have looked at curtains on evilbay ,and I think the screens are better and cheaper choice.
We made it to Cambridge without the hold light flashing and the gearbox seems ok,Oxford tommorrw to my family(fingers crossed).
Dont be a stranger and continue to add your valuable input into this forum
Neil
A Bongos is not just for christmas
Bumbly1

Post by Bumbly1 » Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:49 pm

neil/di wrote:I am with you on this one Tom,I shall be investing in some siver thermal screens,I have looked at curtains on evilbay ,and I think the screens are better and cheaper choice.
We made it to Cambridge without the hold light flashing and the gearbox seems ok,Oxford tommorrw to my family(fingers crossed).
Dont be a stranger and continue to add your valuable input into this forum
Neil
:oops: :oops:

I think the gearbox will only go into default if the light flashes, no flash, no problem!

Glad it seems to have sorted itself, sounds like a dodgy electrical thing which should be easily fixed.
David Edwards
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Post by David Edwards » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:54 pm

Make a visit to drapers or other like stores, they have fully lined curtains far cheaper than we would get off evil bay, as for rails, either get ready sprung turn to fit or a piece of dowel and just pressure fit it. It works, I know I have done it before on my space cruiser. There is no need to spend vast amounts on overpriced tatt just because it is "designer bongo" use some initiative and save mega bucks. Now is the time to look during the sales. I think I will set up some ridiculously priced stuff on evil bay that cost pennies to make and flog it for vast sums to gullible bongo owners. There is an old saying that springs to mind..it goes K.I.S.S. translated, (keep it simple..stupid). Ohh I know I am for it now with the attack of the bongo maniacs. Happy motoring.
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mikeonb4c
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Post by mikeonb4c » Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:51 pm

Just got back from Rosebys in Warrington where I had hoped to buy a memory foam mattress for the Bongo roof but decided it was too thin. BUT I did buy a chromed sprung curtain rail (intended for net curtains but strong enough for curtains) and a pair of lined brown velvet curtains on sale @ £19.99. They were sized for 46" width (exactly the right size for the Bongo) and 54" drop (the Bongo only needs 46" but it doesn't matter - you can turn them up if bothered). The chrome rod can be pushed straight through the curtains, so no hooks or rings are needed. I put them up in the car park in 2 mins and hey presto, we have classy curtains. I would be possible to use one of the screw holes where the original rail fitted in the Bongo, to put in a mid span support of some sort. Then I think the assembly would even be strong enough to hang the wonderful new DVD/TV/Freeview device I bought from ebay and which arrived today. Cinema on the move for bored family. Curtains closed so I have peace and privacy in the cab while I drive. Ah bliss!

Any annoying sting in the tail was that the rear interior light cover, which was a loose fit, must have dropped off and fallen out of the tailgate when I opened the boot while shopping. So I have to get a new rear interior light cover from somewhere. Any ideas anyone?

:lol: :lol:
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Post by David Edwards » Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:46 pm

See, seek and ye shall find, cheaply too, well done Mike someone using initiative at last. Happy motoring
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