My full DIY conversion

[spawnedc]

Hi dear Bongo lovers!

Lots of things on this forum inspired me so I decided to do my own conversion. Not all finished yet, I had to take some time off because of my back problems. But finally, I picked it up on Easter weekend. All the parts are made by myself, including rock and roll bed. There will be some other improvements like Raspberry Pi 2 navigation/entertainment system once I'm done with these, but I'll post that in a separate thread.

I'd love to hear what you guys think about it. Any suggestions welcome

Here's the full photo album.

First photo:


And current state (will be updated with the latest):

[Simon Jones]

Wow, you've been busy and it's really coming along . My top tip would be if you ever need to cut any more holes in the bodywork, get one of these: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/prod ... al-nibbler

It will cut a thin accurate slot in steel without any distortion of the panel or damage to the paintwork. Whatever is used to cut a hole, all bare metal should be treated and a proper seal made using the double-sided gasket tape or good quality silicone sealant. This was one I did with red oxide primer:



This was one from a 'professional' conversion company and there is no protection on the cut edges. I ended up plastering it in Waxoyl as it was not possible to remove it to get to both sides:

[spawnedc]

Thanks Simon, very good point. Somehow my jigsaw couldn't handle it so I had to use my drill to do it. But I wish I knew about that nibbler. I'll definitely get it next time.

Also very good point on sealant. I should've thought about that. That will be my very first task once I'm back on the van.

For the next 2 weeks I will have some guests, so updates will be slow. But after that, I'm planning to go back to full speed

Thanks for the suggestions Simon!

[Bob]

Looking very good.

[spawnedc]

Hello again,

This weekend wasn't very productive unfortunately. However, it was very annoying. I realised that I totally miscalculated the height of the seats, as I tried to sit on the seat with 3" (~7.5cm) thick foam was on it and my head was touching the ceiling (I'm 6 feet or 183cm). So I had to take all apart on Saturday and shorten the vertical supports about 9.5cm (3.75") which took the whole day.

On Sunday, I started preparing the bases for the upholstery (which I completely forgot to take pictures). After that I made the side panel with 2 doors, one is usaeable all the time, the other one is useable when the seat is in bed position. I also installed 2 basic locks to prevent the seats and the drawer from sliding when I hit the breaks. The one on the right hand side is quite noisy, which I couldn't anticipate. I need to wrap it with some plastic thing.

Not many updates for the last weekend, but hopefully, for the next weekend, with the help of bank holiday, I'm planning to finish off the cupboards and move onto the kitchen. Here are the pictures (I also updated the album on the first post):

[Gasy]

Don't forget to put a vent hole through the floor for your gas bottle
(in case of leaks LPG is heavier than air )
And a fixing strap
And a co alarm
Looking good

[jimmo62]

If you have electric blinds, don't forget to move the switch for the middle driver side window so you can operate the blind easily - I got a pre-converted Bongo and they had not done this which was a real pain to put right later!

[spawnedc]

Don't forget to put a vent hole through the floor for your gas bottle
(in case of leaks LPG is heavier than air )
And a fixing strap
And a co alarm
Looking good

Thanks Gasy, those are in my todo list

If you have electric blinds, don't forget to move the switch for the middle driver side window so you can operate the blind easily - I got a pre-converted Bongo and they had not done this which was a real pain to put right later!

Luckily I don't have electric blinds But thanks for the heads up.

[blobber]

Like the blue roller shutter rear door you've fitted to your Bongo

[spawnedc]

Like the blue roller shutter rear door you've fitted to your Bongo

That's how I roll

[spawnedc]

Unexpected Thursday update; lovely wife prepared all the seat covers, so all I needed to do was just staple it to the base Here's the result:







More to come this weekend!

[zippy]

did you threat the naked metal from the electric hookup?

Looking good.

[silage]

looking very snazzy,
Gasy- co alarm? for what? and where?..............

[spawnedc]

did you threat the naked metal from the electric hookup?

Looking good.

Not yet, but I just remembered the mains hookup came with the double sided casket tape and I used it. Would that be enough? Or should I do something from the inside as well?

[Gasy]

looking very snazzy,
Gasy- co alarm? for what? and where?..............

To save your life
poisoning from fumes from gas cooker / heaters
There only about £20 nowadays
Get the ones where you carnt replace the batterys as they will need re calibrating by then in any case
I'd fit a smoke alarm aswell if I had cooking appliances in mine or sleeper in it