Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

For all owners and afficionados of Mazda Bongo Friendees and Ford Fredas based outside of UK or Ireland.

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chiefster1976
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Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by chiefster1976 » Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:17 pm

Hello. :wink: well i am in the process of trying to find some front drop links for the bongo and rear d bushings on the anti roll bar and finding it really difficult to find parts..
I am aware on this site that vectra motoquip 710 fit the front drop links but no one does motoquip here in brisbane...
All the local motor factors like supercheap and repco dont do ANY bongo parts...
I WAS thinking of selling the 95 converted bongo i have here and replacing it with another of a new shape 2000 model which i have my eye on...im just thinking of maybe changing to a Delica as they are SOOO much more popular here and parts availability :!: ... The bongos just havent taken off here as yet!!! #-o ( you only have to look on www.carsales.com.au to see what i mean..

ANY PEOPLE LIVING IN OZ with a Bongo can help out with this one??? LEV 8?

Just for the record, i have had the cam belt/timing belt/tensioner done on my 95 2.5 Diesel at a cost of $320 inc parts and labour...not as good as the 120 squid i paid in England but hey we get robbed here in oz...lol #-o
Someone rekindle the faith in the bongos!!!im running out of options... [-o<
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Ian
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by Ian » Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:53 pm

We can always send stuff out to you from the Bongo Shop. As long as the items are not too heavy, it doesn't work out that expensive. For instance, the postage costs for 2 x front drop links would be £7.75 normal post (5 days).
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mikeonb4c
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by mikeonb4c » Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:50 pm

Don't get me started on Delicas :lol: :lol: :lol:

But seriously, the Delica strikes me as tastier off road (maybe why Oz likes em?), but heavieer on juice, possibly not as smooth to cruise in (can anyone confirm or correct that?), and doesn't have an Autofreetop option (although I know some are retrofitted, but are they a match for the AFT).

As far as spares go, getting them off ebay or from UK via Ian or Bongobits seem the most realistic options. Makes me wonder if there's a niche business in Oz for Bongo parts, if you could source and ship direct from Japan at wholesale prices :roll:
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helen&tony
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by helen&tony » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:08 pm

Hi
Don't lose faith. We live in Bulgaria, and apart from normal oil filters and other standard service bits, I get ALL parts sent from England. Sometimes this works out a bit pricey, but as Bulgarian dealers are GREEDY B*****S, everything is overpriced....I even had a pair of tyres shipped from England the other day....30% cheaper than here !!!
It's all relative, but the Bongo has a reputation for being a reliable old tug, so you could sell it , and buy something a bit more unreliable which will cost you dearly in the long run
And....don't start me on Delicas either....Mike and I might start the Mazda Bongo Delica appreciation society 8) 8) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cheers
Helen
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chiefster1976
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by chiefster1976 » Fri Dec 04, 2009 1:50 am

LOL.. there is a niche in the market for sure with parts for these vehicles..but im thinking to start selling these parts here isnt a great idea right now as the Bongo just havent taken off like delicas imports..ive been to as many car accessory places and japanese importers even and suspension dedicted guys NO ONE HAS A CLUE or even has an idea where to get them... #-o
MORE Frustrated by the minute... :evil:

Q1. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF MAZDA 121, 323, 626, ETC FRONT FROP LINKS WILL FIT THE BONGO? Hence these vehicles are popular here so parts wouldnt be a problem if they match up o.k???? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FREDA ... 1e5920a481

Q2. AND REAR D ANTI ROLL BAR BUSHINGS WITH CLAMP?? LIKE THESE...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-Bongo-Freed ... 4149159cbf
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PixieAndTheMoon
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by PixieAndTheMoon » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:10 am

Chief I hope it kinda conslidating we still love the custom built girl. I love her so she is good hands :o) Jo
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PixieAndTheMoon
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by PixieAndTheMoon » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:12 am

Burger the smilies on here!!!!
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PixieAndTheMoon
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by PixieAndTheMoon » Fri Dec 04, 2009 2:20 am

I sit in the girl and admire her body work often and turn her engine over when we haven't taken the lady out for a couple of weeks. She is a lovely home :o)

Jo - ok that really sounds weird but I will submit lol
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helen&tony
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by helen&tony » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:00 am

Hi
The parts you require are in the club shop...air shipping isn't too dear!
Failing that, try some threaded bar and a couple of rose joints for the droplinks...i'm sure someone can make that up for you.
Cheers
Helen
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Diplomat
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by Diplomat » Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:14 am

Aren't Holdens re badged Vauxhalls?

Did they do Vectras under another name?


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chiefster1976
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by chiefster1976 » Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:09 am

FRNAK... Vauxhall is Holden here in OZ yes... I.E. Holden Vectra.. But no one does motoquip gear here.i have approached most the main motor factors here and still cannot get vectra or mazda 626 drop links.. I think OZ is about 10 years behind the rest of the world...LOL..
I have seen a couple of Bongos around in Brisbane but not heard form any yet!!
ANY advice from LEV 8 maybe can shed more light on sourcing parts??? [-o<
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lev8

Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by lev8 » Tue Dec 08, 2009 2:01 am

Hi Banana bender,
Being an OZ bongolier you are considered a pioneer and you can always recognise a pioneer by the arrows in their backs :-)
I have not changed the parts you seek so I have no answers only suggestions. It would seem that whoever worked out that the Vectra parts were a substitute probably did it the hard way and took a mazda part to the shop and compared it with what they had, often a good sales person will come up with a close match pretty quickly, I would try Repco first and then a steering specialist who would have experience and stock. You need to know the year of the vectra model that has suitable parts, you should then be able to find it at Repco etc. Looking on Wiki the Vectra B arrived DU in 1998, so you won't find parts here for earlier models, but you will in NZ. However it seems the Calibra was based on the Vectra A and did sell in OZ from 1991-96. If you fail here then I would start with Mazda vans of the same period B and E series I think, after that try Ford Couriers/Mazda Bravo which had the same engine. I'm sure the parts are here, you will need to do the detective work to find them, being in Brisbane doesn't help either :-)
I looked at and drove a few Delicas before learning of the Bongo. After driving the Bongo, I lost complete interest in the Delica. I see a lot on the road and I pity the poor souls stuck in a gutless, narrow, top heavy clunker. If you really want to go OFFROAD get a discovery.

good luck
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Ian
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by Ian » Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:58 am

lev8 wrote:If you really want to go OFFROAD get a discovery.
......but if you want to come back, buy a Landcruiser! :lol: :lol:
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mikeonb4c
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by mikeonb4c » Tue Dec 08, 2009 3:32 pm

Ian wrote:
lev8 wrote:If you really want to go OFFROAD get a discovery.
......but if you want to come back, buy a Landcruiser! :lol: :lol:
[-X Stop cannibalising my anecdotes :lol: :lol: :lol:
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helen&tony
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Re: Finding Bongo parts in Australia/is it worth the hassle??

Post by helen&tony » Tue Dec 08, 2009 4:00 pm

Hi
I can't even imagine a Discovery getting off the drive from what I've heard!!!...I like real Landrovers, and have had several safaris....only way to go!!!...and every jungle tribesperson knows how to fix one, so no problem with the hired help 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
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