Hopefully soon to be new owner - Couple of questions

[costasw00t]

Hi All,

I've been after a Bongo for sometime to use mainly, as a day van but with the options to use it as the odd overnighter for my family when breaking up the longer trips to France, possibly the odd weekend for me.

What has put off the purchase so far is the reluctance from my much better half, to part with the money. Recently a friends change of circumstances mean his willing to part with his beloved Bongo, the price is good but I don't think the conversion is going to suit us.

It's a S reg with a rear kitchen, the middle seats have been reversed with lap belts, facing the kitchen which has a fold out table with a single person bench seat on either side.

My main problem is the middle seat, so I'm after advice on options available.

Having two little ones in car seats, I need 3 point seat belts. From what I've read on here it's easy to swap the bench around, would this make the rear space unusable?
Are there any reversible seat options available that could see a bench seat be used in both forward travel and the rear kitchen?
Any scope to replace the bench seat with the middle fold down seats I've seen in a number of Bongos?

Should add, despite a friend selling it is some distance away so I haven't been able to view yet.

Any advice or considerations on making this a family friendly van would be appreciated.

[mountainmummy]

Hi

I think there's a company who make a swivel middle bench (they might be called Northstar Conversions) this would enable you to have the seat forwards for travel and reversed for camping.

We have two in car seats and kept our van unconverted so we could keep the crash tested seats, it suits us as it also enables us to have a big bed downstairs where we can all fit (just) for nights when it's too chilly in the roof.

We just take a camp stove and cook outside. We usually take a tent as well to store the car seats when we put the bed down although this year we have finally mastered the art of packing lite and managed a trip with just the van.

The van is the best purchase we ever made, the kids love it and we love it even more.

Good luck with your search.

Sara

[mountainmummy]

Found a you tube video for the swivel bench. Hope the link works.
Mazda Bongo Swivel seat:

http://youtu.be/rdT5O10PZ0Y

[sotal]

We were after very similar and managed to get a mid conversion. This allows us to have the full bench seat at the rear with 2 3 point belts and a lap belt.

The kitchen is then behind the drivers seat and there is plenty of space then between the front seats and the rear seats for a 'living' area.

The swivel seats posted above may solve your problem but remember they haven't been crash tested etc.

Good luck

[helen&tony]

Hi
Not too sure what you mean on "middle fold down seats"...they are only available in the rear. If you want a forward bench and a conversion, then the rear conversion across the back would suit....there are a few firms offering that type
Cheers
Helen