Bongo Fury

The gearbox in use on the Bongo is made by Nissan, and is known as a 380Z, sometimes as a RE4. However, there are a number of different gearbox variations. 95 Bongos have slightly different gearboxes to 98 Bongos, which are different again to 2001 vehicles. And there are subtle differences between 2 and 4 wheel drive gearboxes.

But I suspect if you tell your man it is a Nissan 380Z/RE4, that should do the trick.

Soooo, an update. I'm in Czech to collect the van after the new gearbox has been fitted. She seems fine around town but on the motorway the problems are still occurring with gear-shifting. It seems I won't be driving home at the weekend.


We've taken the van to another mechanic to see if they can diagnose the problem. So I think it comes down to the gearbox solenoids, I'm thinking of just shipping some out and asking them to fit on the fairly high chance it will fix the problem. I've also heard that problems with the turbo can lead to similar issues? It should be fairly easy to rule that one out though..

A bit frustrating, but good luck.

stunews wrote: Thu Oct 26, 2017 12:09 pm Soooo, an update. I'm in Czech to collect the van after the new gearbox has been fitted. She seems fine around town but on the motorway the problems are still occurring with gear-shifting. It seems I won't be driving home at the weekend.


We've taken the van to another mechanic to see if they can diagnose the problem. So I think it comes down to the gearbox solenoids, I'm thinking of just shipping some out and asking them to fit on the fairly high chance it will fix the problem. I've also heard that problems with the turbo can lead to similar issues? It should be fairly easy to rule that one out though..

stunews was it a New gearbox that you had fitted or was it an old box New to you?

Teenmal, It's a gearbox we've had sent over from Bongospares.co.uk. I'm assuming it's reconditioned..

New developments, I've noticed some odd noises when the engine was idling, a rattling noise. This went away when driving. After coming up a hill at a relatively low speed as I reached the top I heard a rumbling noise emanating from under the bonnet. It sounded very bad so I had to pull over and turn off the engine. It could be entirely unrelated to the gearbox problems of course.

Could the new gearbox be damaged by running it with the solenoids malfunctioning?

I'm supposed to be driving it to the mechanic's now to talk about next steps. I'm not sure we're even going to make it

Thinking about scrapping her

Does anyone have any ideas of towing costs to the UK from Central Europe?

It seems there just isn't the specialist knowledge over here to work on it. I wish I'd just used the money to ship it back to the UK in the first place...

You'd need to get specific quotes from firms who do this, but cheapest would likely be rent something like a Land Cruiser/Shogun/Range Rover and trailer.

These vehicles can tow about 3 1/2 tons, but make sure your licence covers towing that weight.

stunews wrote: Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:21 am Teenmal, It's a gearbox we've had sent over from Bongospares.co.uk. I'm assuming it's reconditioned..

If it was reconditioned it will have a guarantee, if it was not reconditioned but fully tested it should have some sort of guarantee .

The price of the box will reflect either. If it proves to be a box fault contact the supplier.

stunews ....

How did you get on with your problem?

Take Care

I don't know if the new noises are related to the fault with the gearbox. The original issue has not been fixed - it's wasn't shifting as it should have going up hill.

I know the mechanic made some derogatory comments about the state of the new gearbox, and said he had to work on it before he put it in. I'm concerned he just made things worse though. I read stuff about not opening the valve assembly, so I'm worried he did just that.

I've asked about the gearbox from bongo spares, waiting for a response.

The wife has given up translating, so I'm left with very few options. I've had a quote of £1300 to get it back to the UK, but with the costs of repairs once I get it back, it's pretty much a write off. Think the only option is to buy a trailer and borrow a 4x4 and go and get her myself, then flog the trailer when I get back...

and can anyone recommend a mechanics SE of London, ie Kent/East Sussex sort of way?

Forum member Alacrityis based in Eastbourne, He's an auto box expert of many year's standing.

Bob wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2017 8:08 am Forum member Alacrityis based in Eastbourne, He's an auto box expert of many year's standing.

Could make good sense that. Get it repatriated to a port near Eastbourne and taken straight to him. He'll be the very best at dealing with a Bongo gearbox and is about my only regret about leaving SE London for the North Horrible business though, and not cheap whichever way you cut it. I can only share your pain

AT as RE4R01 use on next car -
INFINITI J30 92-97 4 SP RWD V6 3.0L
INFINITI M30 90-92 4 SP RWD V6 3.0L
INFINITI QX4 97-03 JPN 4 SP 4X4 V6 3.3L 3.5L
NISSAN/DATSUN 240SX 89-98 4 SP RWD L4 2.4L
NISSAN/DATSUN 300ZX 1/89-97 4 SP RWD V6 3.0L
NISSAN/DATSUN FRONTIER 98-04 USA 4 SP RWD L4 2.4L
NISSAN/DATSUN FRONTIER 99-04 USA 4 SP RWD/4X4 V6 3.3L
NISSAN/DATSUN HARDBODY 00-08 MEX 4 SP RWD/4X4 L4 2.4L
NISSAN/DATSUN PICKUP/PATHFINDER 88-98 4 SP 4X4 V6 3.0/3.3L
NISSAN/DATSUN PICKUP/PATHFINDER 90-97 4 SP RWD L4 2.4L
NISSAN/DATSUN PICKUP/PATHFINDER 90-97 4 SP RWD V6 3.0/3.3L
NISSAN/DATSUN PATHFINDER 98-04 4 SP RWD V6 3.3L/3.5L
NISSAN/DATSUN XTERRA