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Fitting a self build kit.
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:00 pm
by Bozzcat
Hi All
First time poster so please be gentle, had a good look round and couldnt find a similar thread so apologies if this has been asked before.
I got my bongo a few weeks ago, love it, have a family who loves to camp so have been scouting around for some self build removable units, want to keep it versatile during winter etc.
What i would like to know is, if i buy a standard kit, looking at tranzwagon units, seem reasonably priced, how could i fix it to to rear or my van without lining the floor, can you get bolts of some description that would do the job or is this a dead loss idea?
Have looked on the net for ideas but not coming up with much, any ideas or advice would be hugely appreated
Cheers
i should add that i have a 1999 model, with one long seat at the rear not split, i was hoping to try and replicate a rear conversion with wheel arch boxes and take this out when camping, but cant work out how it would secure in.
thanks
Re: Fitting a self build kit.
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 11:10 pm
by the1andonly
Iv'e just looked at tranzwagon site they do not mention bongos or any van in particular they may not have the profiles you need to fit on the sides. A question to ask.
fitting to floor for removables: coachbolts slid down the seat rails is the customary DIY route
first thoughts
ask again if confused
Re: Fitting a self build kit.
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:31 am
by Simon Jones
Welcome to the forum. Might be worth chatting to your insurance company. To insure it as a camper van will require the conversion to (appear) to be a permanent fixture. The CC&C will insure self-build conversions on that basis, whereas some other companies will only cover the vehicles when all 8 seats are in place.
As you have the long rails, you can use them help attach what ever sort of units you decide to use. I fitted a couple of threaded metal bars into the tracks into which I have bolted by rear conversion. My conversion is always installed in the van, but can be removed if required quite readily. I have transferred the setup from my original Bongo to the newer one.

Re: Fitting a self build kit.
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:09 am
by winchman
I removed the spare wheel and rear carpet, screwed two wooden batons to the floor and screwed the kitchen to this.
To remove the kitchen, tale spare off remove 4 screws and lift out
I have wondered for a few weeks now could you unbolt the rear seat and locate the kitchen by bolting it to the seat bit that slides in the runners?
Re: Fitting a self build kit.
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:38 am
by Bozzcat
Thanks all.
I have spoken to Tranzwagon and they do have a bongo flat pack kit, i found that on their facebook page, also i got the measurements for one of their units, i found it would fit accross the back behind the chairs but couldnt work out how to fit it, i was wondering modified coach bolts as seen on one of the threads here, also the units they sell are a fair bit cheaper hence looking at this option.
I am insured with 2gether and i asked them when i signed up about the temp fixtures, apparently the policy they gave me will cover me for this.
Thanks for all the suggestions, certainly something for me to mull over.
Many Thanks.

Re: Fitting a self build kit.
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:33 pm
by trappy
Hi im a total newbie to this site so hello all.
I contacted my insurance company as i was concerned about rear seat converstions and crashed tested m1 rock n roll beds. Through my very short and limited knowledge i have found that bongo beds (aftermarket) are reduced in size if you have a side converstion and even though the bed seats are sold with belts and are made to the same standard are not crash rated so how would i fair out in the event of a crash/claim for a rear passanger?. I was advised that if the bed/seat was fitted by a proffesional and not by a DIY method it would be ok, i do understand that so people just recover the original seats and keep them. If some one has good knowledge around this id love to hear from them as csn this effect any MOT, sorry for any bad spelling kind regards, Dave