Hi Folks,
I'm day 3 of Bongo ownership....
I'm bottoming on speed bumps going at '0.1mph'. Admittedly they are on a track put in by the farmer to bypass his yard (to our houses).
I've got top wheel arch to ground:
Front - 68cm
Rear - 72cm
I reckon lowest point to ground is approx 60mm
Tyres are 225/45 z R18 95 W - what I would call 'low profile'
Can I have any advice on what to do? I guess it is something to do with taking out lowered suspension 'stuff'? Looks like I may have these 'bits' to swap some time.... I have access to ramps and was thinking of doing an underseal myself but don't know heaps about vehicles.
Apart from the grounding I think I'm in love with 'Betty'
TIA
Nigel
2005 V6 Aero LPG Conversion
Help - 'New' Bongo - 60mm ground clearance!!
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- Bongolier
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Re: Help - 'New' Bongo - 60mm ground clearance!!
Not good. AFAIC I can get underneath mine without jacks or ramps but have difficulty working under there being 67 and not the thinnest bloke around, I can understand some boy racer in his corsa or clio thinking lowering would be cool but FFS these are mpv's and never meant to be in formula one so lowering would be the last thing on my mind and I'm a speed freak.
I reckon you've got an expensive suspension change to come though you could be in luck if the shocks are a 'make' and recoup some of your losses selling them on. Try a look on mazdabongo.com, pretty sure they have standard shocks for sale on there.
I reckon you've got an expensive suspension change to come though you could be in luck if the shocks are a 'make' and recoup some of your losses selling them on. Try a look on mazdabongo.com, pretty sure they have standard shocks for sale on there.
- g8dhe
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Re: Help - 'New' Bongo - 60mm ground clearance!!
A lot of people seem to like the low slung look, however they don't tend to use the vehicle as a camper going over uneven ground!
if you look at the usual Spares places several of them will do new spring sets and standard (used) setups like https://mazdabongo.com/product/mazda-bo ... 5-onwards/
if you look at the usual Spares places several of them will do new spring sets and standard (used) setups like https://mazdabongo.com/product/mazda-bo ... 5-onwards/
Re: Help - 'New' Bongo - 60mm ground clearance!!
Heya,
Many thanks. 67 is a great age!
I've just found another page where someone managed to buy / sell springs and shocks and just about break even.
I've also just measured myself at my 'deepest point (aka stomach'' at around 280mm which is my heaviest ever. So assuming you don't get under the lowest point and adding 'factor of safety' etc. So I reckon it's been dropped by about 100mm - 120mm which is a big change but I'll research out of interest.
Nigel
Many thanks. 67 is a great age!
I've just found another page where someone managed to buy / sell springs and shocks and just about break even.
I've also just measured myself at my 'deepest point (aka stomach'' at around 280mm which is my heaviest ever. So assuming you don't get under the lowest point and adding 'factor of safety' etc. So I reckon it's been dropped by about 100mm - 120mm which is a big change but I'll research out of interest.
Nigel
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Re: Help - 'New' Bongo - 60mm ground clearance!!
I'd rather be 27 lol, 34/5 inch waist, those mm measurements are beyond me.
Re: Help - 'New' Bongo - 60mm ground clearance!!
That may have been me?
Mines used to bottom out all the time on speed bumps when first got it, I never even thought about it may have been lowered (I mean why would anyone lower a Bongo?). The one day i was parked next to another one in a car park & noticed the obvious difference in height. Bought 2 complete front struts + rear springs & shocks from a breakers on ebay then resold the lowering kit back on ebay when i was done which pretty much covered the cost of buying the 'new' suspension.
I Think i had it for about 2 and a half years before i noticed, in that time it was eating ball joints, not had to replace one since rectifying the correct ride height.
95 2.5d 4WD AFT