Interior Dimensions (for conversion design)

[waren]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has detailed interior dimensions of the bongo. The official specification says;

Height 51" (without top up)
Length 111.4"
Width 61.8"

I have only just discovered these great vehicles, would like to import one, but want to be sure that it will meet my families needs in terms of space and features. I have been scouring the internet looking at photos. Looking at some photos it seems like there may be as little as 7' behind the front seats, where as the spec suggests 9'. A two foot difference will change things siginificantly.

I was also wondering if anyone can confirm the headroom with the top up (and floor raised) at the opening front (behind front seats) and back (near the rear seat)?

I'm going to create some CAD drawings with the dimensions, which I will be happy to post.

[Velocette]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has detailed interior dimensions of the bongo. The official specification says;

Height 51" (without top up)
Length 111.4"
Width 61.8"

I have only just discovered these great vehicles, would like to import one, but want to be sure that it will meet my families needs in terms of space and features. I have been scouring the internet looking at photos. Looking at some photos it seems like there may be as little as 7' behind the front seats, where as the spec suggests 9'. A two foot difference will change things siginificantly.

I was also wondering if anyone can confirm the headroom with the top up (and floor raised) at the opening front (behind front seats) and back (near the rear seat)?

I'm going to create some CAD drawings with the dimensions, which I will be happy to post.

On a similar theme, any tips on what to use for datums to ensure things are vertical and level when fitting out? The inside of the sliding door rear post looks perpendicular to the floor, is it? Can you measure down from a straight edge from window to window etc. Any ass
ymetries and pitfalls?

[waren]

I suggest that we use the engine/cab hump where it meets the floor as the datum point for length measurements of the cargo build area.

For the headroom measurements with the AFT up the edge of the opening (front of vehicle) should be used as the datum.

Bongo spec says the headroom at the front of the opening (the tallest point of the AFT) is 106.7" (2710mm). I would like to confirm this but since I'm 6'2" its probably not an issue.

What is an issue is headroom at the rear of the opening. If floor of the top bunk that lifts (not the little trap door) is hinged at the same location as the AFT top itself then I could figure out the approximate headroom using the angle of the AFT 34.3 deg. But it would be way easier and more accurate to have a measurement ... before I import a bongo.

Thanks!

[waren]

Here is a picture ... I want to figure out the approximate size of the "box" that's available for the conversion space.

As you can see the spec measurement of 111.4" doesnt seem to agree with the approximate point of max headroom (81") based on a AFT at a 34.3 deg angle. Maybe the bed tray hangs down a bit, the sketch is also pretty rough.

The spec says the total length bumper to bumper of a bongo is 15' so based on vehicle proportions I would guess the distance from the engine "hump" to the rear hatch is between 7' and 8'.

Detailed measurements of length and headroom with the top up would be greatly appreciated!

[the1andonly]

Waren
I cant post the data I have on internal dimensions as it currently in work, will do when available.
I am currently building a model in Pro E, creo2, well started at least. It it not currently suitable for external consumption (2 many possible mistakes) and no drawing created.
I also used the engine cowl line as a datum and the centre line between windows/ wheel arches.

I did a quick measure for you.
Datum to opening 260mm (+-5mm spirit level and eye not a plum line)
large opening 1050mm
datum to hinge 1500mm
width of orrifice 920mm
1st opening point to roof 750mm (highest point to roof you can stand in)
max distance that a 5'11" person can stand in (facing to back) to rear opening is 500mm ie 810mm from Datum
Hope this helps

[waren]

awesome keep the info coming!

I updated my drawing to include your measurements ... something odd is going on with the headroom, maybe I misread your post. The factory drawing suggests the headroom is much higher. Maybe the bed tray doesnt lift all the way to the roof?





Still looking for the total length of the cargo area but based on the info you provided my guess is around 7' ... its gonna be cozy in there for a family of 4!

This is great help guys ...

[the1andonly]

Waren
its not as cold out there as it has been
so you get a measurement
datum to rear door ( precisely to the bottom strip screw holes 2120mm
or 7 foot to the middle of door clamp.
Cosey for 2 let alone 4. only been out one weekend but obvious organization is the key.
It very much how you intend to use it.
I bought mine unconverted and by accident I have made the right choice for me (we generally take 3ns or 3 years to make a decision). Don't just look at picky's talk to people with the config you have in mind.
think about your needs, how you intend to use it. Size wise its an Inch smaller in length width than my 95 Audi A6 and will replace it as tow vehicle for Pennine Pulman Folding Camper for long holidays it may have A DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION for day van than weekend/5 day camper. Hence the need for a model, though I have used the old paper cut outs and cardboard mockups in the van. Even doing this there are still opportunities for **** ups.
You must look here if done already.
http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... 47&t=37365

[waren]

Thanks for braving the cold!

1) 7' ... I was really hoping there was more length to work with in there.

2) The headroom is still a mystery to me. Your measurements are quite a bit lower than max height of the AFT roof. The upper "bed floor" and the AFT roof appear to be almost parallel to each other. Is there a reason the upper "bed floor" couldnt be raised up until it contacted the roof?


I have drawn an arc of the upper "bed floor" showing the potential headroom I am hoping can be gained. There should be almost 5'8" of headroom at the rear edge of the vault opening.


EDIT: I watched a couple videos both clearly show the upper "bed floor" lifting to the bottom side of the AFT roof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_pR3IHP5ic (17 sec)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRcbbH_zTF8 (1:44 )

After watching these I can see that the AFT rear hinge point in my drawing needs to be moved forward a bit. Also for my drawing I guessed the AFT added about 8" to the height of the roof. Both of these assumptions result slightly greater headroom than the Mazda spec. I will fix this later.

What is still driving me nuts is the Mazda diagram I posted above showing a roof angle of 34.3 deg, and a max headroom of 2710mm. that should still give way more headroom than the measurements kindly posted above.

[Dodgey]

These might help a little.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l235/ ... d53b7f.jpg

(Above - ignore the hump at the front, thats a fridge, and the wheel arches are on both side of course. It's the dims I used to create mine.)

End result:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l235/ ... ySmall.jpg

I even used it for my cutting plan:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l235/ ... 15ad9a.jpg

As for finding a level, I put my floor in, and then made everything 90 degrees to the floor. Any other way and you'll end up in a right mess.

[waren]

Nice sketchup model! Im using sketchup too.

Do you have the headroom ceiling drawn above the kitchen as well?

[stuc]

Just to throw something into the mix here, it depends on which model year you go for as when looking at new roof canvas I discovered there are 3 different heights to which the roof lifts, mine is a 2001 and lifts much higher than my 95 did. It is quite noticable too as the roof has a lock button to lower it, which I could reach by standing in the rear, but in my new one I have to stand on the rear seats to reach it.
Hope this helps.

[waren]

Just to throw something into the mix here, it depends on which model year you go for as when looking at new roof canvas I discovered there are 3 different heights to which the roof lifts, mine is a 2001 and lifts much higher than my 95 did. It is quite noticable too as the roof has a lock button to lower it, which I could reach by standing in the rear, but in my new one I have to stand on the rear seats to reach it.
Hope this helps.

3 different heights?! Thank you for posting. I'm surprised by the lack of detailed specs available for these things. Are the years and AFT heights posted somewhere?

I've done some exhaustive googling and come up blank. Seems like the kind of info that would be in a FAQ somewhere. I want to get the most height I can .... So knowing when the different AFT revisions occured will be VERY important.

w

[stuc]

Not 100% sure, but the first model was the lowest, 2nd was the highest and my version Aero free top was in between. mine does lift a lot higher than my previos one which I did not know till I was asking a local Bongo breaker, VGS imports, about sourcing a new roof canvas. He has an internet site and he is very helpful if you need any info.
If I am not correct maybe someone has the right info you need.
I could possibly measure mine if required.

[Dodgey]

Nice sketchup model! Im using sketchup too.

Do you have the headroom ceiling drawn above the kitchen as well?

No - I drew a box, which represented the total space to play with, then I deleted the top and 3 of the sides to design the kitchen. The height from the floor to the window was a known constant, for getting the unit/worktop heights right.

For the height of the roof, I used a close approximation - as the roof has curves and varying heights so totally impractical to model properly. The only panel in the kitchen that meets the roof is the end one, which I made with the generous approximation dimensions, then trimmed to fit the roof contour.

The most important measurements were the length of the total available area, and the width, to get the bed right. (the grey slab on the floor represents the bed - only it's footprint, not the height!)

[waren]

Not 100% sure, but the first model was the lowest, 2nd was the highest and my version Aero free top was in between. mine does lift a lot higher than my previos one which I did not know till I was asking a local Bongo breaker, VGS imports, about sourcing a new roof canvas. He has an internet site and he is very helpful if you need any info.
If I am not correct maybe someone has the right info you need.
I could possibly measure mine if required.

Great lead, I will see what I can dig up.

My first guess is as follows;

95-96 1st gen. Split rear seat (fold up), lowest AFT height
97-99 2nd gen. Slide rear seats (full length track), highest AFT height
00-0? 3rd gen. No change to rear seat design, reduced AFT height.

looking for replacement fabric is a great way to sort it out. If I do come across some definative information on AFT generation model years I would like to post the corresponding height of each so may take you up on the offer to measure yours for details on the the 3rd gen.

Based on this info my hope is that the spec diagram posted above (showing 34.3deg) is for the 2nd gen AFT. Seems to be about the right vintage. Fingers crossed.