How to fit an aerial?

[bongomac]

Hello Guys n Gals- just bought our bongo, and am very pleased with it . However I am a complete novice. Doesn't help that I don't know anything about cars/vans in general either!
Anyway, was tinkering with the radio that came with it- the original japanese one- which doesn't work. On other forums I've read that it won't have the band width for our stations, so I've bought a band expander. However I've noticed that there isn't an aerial that I can see. I think it was removed when the Skylift roof was fitted?

So 2 questions really:
1- How do I fit an aerial (where would I find the connections etc)
2- How do I fit the band expander when it comes (assuming there's no instructions with it)?

Any comments/help would be greatly appreciated.

[sparkymik]

Have you looked over the drivers door?

Sparky

[bongomac]

Yeah Sparky- definitely been removed. I've got a 'before picture' which shows it attached just above the driver's door on the roof- it's not there now

[sparkymik]

Take off the interior trim on the drivers door pillar see if the cable is still in there you may just need to get a mounting base and aerial

Sparky

[You've Been Bongod]

was the bongo from JAL?? and was it origionally a tin top


you can buy a aerial from halfrauds or simular motorfactors that you can fit in the windscreen and earth

here is one on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/INTERNAL-GLASS-WI ... 3a6397aeff

this should do the job

[briwy]

I think I'm going to have the same problem with our new Bongo and I reckon I'm going to use the rear screen heater elements as the aerial.

Plenty of vehicles do this so it shouldn't be too difficult to get a splitter unit from a scrapper. Rover 75s, Vauxhall Omegas certainly has these on.

No external aerial for anyone to swing on.

[bongomac]

Cheers everyone for your help and suggestions. Certainly some things to look into thanks.

Yes it was from JAL by the way, and was originally a tin top.

[jojay5]

MIne was from JAL and I found an aerial cable tied up behind the glove box. I have bought an amplified windscreen aerial but haven't got round to wiring it in yet.

[bongomac]

Cheers-I did have a peep behind the glove box earlier- lots of wires and stuff. When the aerial arrives I'll have a mess about in there- what's the worst that can happen??!!!

[You've Been Bongod]

you can set fire to your bongo

[bongomac]

Don't worry- I wouldn't really. If it isn't obvious then I won't touch it. She's already cost me an arm and a leg, I couldn't cope with her going up in flames!

[jojay5]

Don't worry- I wouldn't really. If it isn't obvious then I won't touch it. She's already cost me an arm and a leg, I couldn't cope with her going up in flames!

worth every penny! looks a very nice van pics obligatory when you get a minute

[bongomac]

Will do JoJay when I work out how to do it!? By the way would you recommend LPG. I'm going to be getting a lot of use out of it, so reckon I'll re-coup the money in no time.

[jojay5]

Hi Bongomac

Is your's a 2.0 ltr or V6?

Out of interest I just did a quick calc and I am just about to recoup the cost of the LPG install in less than 1 year and would definitely recommend if you are going to do some miles! (also feels good every time you fill up paying half the price of petrol and doing the planet some good). Calc's based on cost of fuelling a V6 on petrol for 12,000 miles vs 12,000 miles on LPG at today's prices.

12,000 miles @ 20 mpg @ 4.55 litres:1 Gallon @ £1.28 per litre = £3,500 pa petrol cost

I have paid:

12,000 miles @ 20 mpg @ 4.55 litres:1 Gallon @ 0.69 pence per litre = £1,900 pa LPG cost

Saving of £1,600 which is roughly the cost of the install.

I intend to keep the Bongo for a good few years so quids in

James

[bongomac]

Yes, ours is a 2.0 ltr. Those figures look very good indeed. Kind of what I'm hoping for.

I've found a place in Coventry that'll do it for £1250, to fit a Romano system. I know JAL do them, and no doubt they are to a very good spec. However they've put their price up to £1850, and this place in Cov have done plenty of Bongos and specialise in imports. I've already spent many,many pounds on shiny new Wolfrace alloys/racing stripes/thule rack and back bag/Cobb BBQ etc, so can't really stretch the extra £600.

By the way, if you have a go at fitting your internal aerial any time soon, let me know how you get on. I could always do with any good tips.