Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo
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Jetpilot
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by Jetpilot » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:11 pm
HI all, newbie here
I am going to look at a Freda over the weekend, paying particular points to rust, over heating and the other tips of what to look out for
I have done a search but couldnt see too much on the subject, but this Freda has been converted to rwd only. The chap mentioned this was done by the previous owner, i know none of you are mind readers but what possible problems might have come up for him to want to do this, i.e 4wd system wasnt working so easiest thing is just make it 2wd.
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Gasy
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by Gasy » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:25 pm
Are we certain it ever was 4 wheel Dr
What engine is it
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
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Jetpilot
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by Jetpilot » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:27 pm
2.5td, he makes particular mention that its been converted in the advert

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Gasy
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by Gasy » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:31 pm
V6 aren't
2.5td More than likely was then
But Im not sure why
Some think it increases mpg going to 2 wheel
Never heard of anyone having probs with 4 wheel Dr
Someone with more knowledge will be along soon
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
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Jetpilot
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by Jetpilot » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:35 pm
Gasy wrote:V6 aren't
2.5td More than likely was then
But Im not sure why
Some think it increases mpg going to 2 wheel
Never heard of anyone having probs with 4 wheel Dr
Someone with more knowledge will be along soon
Thanks for the reply.
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Jetpilot
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by Jetpilot » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:38 pm
Gasy wrote:Just out of interest where is it located
South Wales
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Gasy
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by Gasy » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:38 pm
Not the dodgy bristol seller then , but close
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
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Muzorewa
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by Muzorewa » Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:07 pm
Some have changed when the autobox has blown up and only a 2WD box was available from a breaker at a sensible price. Others have had problems with axle windup or front diff issues and just disabled the FWD by removing the front props. It would be useful to understand why it was changed, 4WD can work well for yonks as ours has.
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Jetpilot
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by Jetpilot » Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:13 pm
Muzorewa wrote:Some have changed when the autobox has blown up and only a 2WD box was available from a breaker at a sensible price. Others have had problems with axle windup or front diff issues and just disabled the FWD by removing the front props. It would be useful to understand why it was changed, 4WD can work well for yonks as ours has.
Thanks for the detailed reply.
I am presuming there are no ill side effects from doing this?
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Muzorewa
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by Muzorewa » Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:57 pm
Overall, no, but there's little difference in mpg and perhaps slightly better tyre wear on offer. But it's a shame to have butchered a 4WD into a 2WD, you never know when you might need 4WD....
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 37&t=68598

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Jetpilot
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by Jetpilot » Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:01 pm
Thanks again, if all else looks ok and i get it i will try to find out why it was changed and if nothing was faulty, perhaps change it back at some point

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Bob
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by Bob » Fri Feb 27, 2015 10:55 pm
This seems a lot of work to possibly discover too late why it was converted.
Personally I would just look for a 4wd if that's what I wanted, or a good vehicle if I wasn't bothered about the extra drive.
I can only think this has been done as a cheap repair, but only my opinion.
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Simon Jones
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by Simon Jones » Fri Feb 27, 2015 11:17 pm
The main reason for disconnecting the 4WD would because there is something wrong with it and personally I would not buy it. You'll still have all the negative points of CV joints to fail the MOT and the additional weight of the front diff and driveshafts, but without the advantages that a working system would give you. It's also a modification which may make getting insurance harder or more expensive to get.
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teenmal
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by teenmal » Sat Feb 28, 2015 11:24 am
Jetpilot wrote:HI all, newbie here
I am going to look at a Freda over the weekend, paying particular points to rust, over heating and the other tips of what to look out for
I have done a search but couldnt see too much on the subject, but
this Freda has been converted to rwd only. The chap mentioned this was done by the previous owner, i know none of you are mind readers but what possible problems might have come up for him to want to do this, i.e 4wd system wasnt working so easiest thing is just make it 2wd.
Has it been properly converted to 2WD or has it been (in the words of Jock) Botched.? If the latter your Insurance Company might take a dim view at this one.
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Jetpilot
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by Jetpilot » Sat Feb 28, 2015 11:27 am
This is also what i am asking, what is the right way, what is the wrong way?