Basic AFT conversion

[vanvliet]

http://s109.photobucket.com/user/vanvli ... 20interior
Slide show link to pics of our basic conversion - main idea is that it can be set up in various ways for long /short stay on site or removed altogether to allow the van to transport big items ( eg garage doors - they just fitted in!)

Ply floor covered in Linoleum, full width bed with memory foam top, site electricity via passenger footwell unit (cable under bonnet), Origo ( biofuel) cooker unit with flip side table, swivel passenger seat, semi fitted Cordura seat covers, storage boxes under bed, rail mounted side table.
The seat / bed has a gas assisted raising strut and three headrests with three full inertia reel seat belts.
The cooker unit can be completely removed in less than a minute or bolted behind driver or passenger seats to in- floor flush fit threads using Fiamma QD butterfy bolts .
There are lots of other little mods not pictured such as the wall clock, four extra cig power sockets for things like compressor fridge ( HD wiring harness), Leisure battery and charger,later style driver's armrest, coolant alarms, MX5 handbrake /steering wheel etc

[Bob]

Splendid job.

[Dr Fingers]

Liking this! Is it DIY, or can it be bought?

Derek

[flarts]

Oh yes that's very sweet. The wee folding table to extend the cooking area is perfect and I like the way the cooker lid adds more surface if you fold the front seat forward... that's a clever use of space (I sound like George Clarke!)... coupled with the swivel seat you've brought the whole front cab into camping use.

I love the little port-hole storage cover too.

Liking this! Is it DIY, or can it be bought?

It's too clever, must be DIY?

[Dr Fingers]

Well, I assume the bed can be bought, but it's the little kitchen unit that appeals to me. Most conversions use stock size units that are intended for vans bigger than ours, they really are bigger than I would need, but I'd pay money for one of these small ones..

Derek

[flarts]

Well, I assume the bed can be bought, but it's the little kitchen unit that appeals to me. Most conversions use stock size units that are intended for vans bigger than ours, they really are bigger than I would need, but I'd pay money for one of these small ones

Me too! I've seen mini units for VWs but never specifically for a Bongo.

[vanvliet]

Yes, it is a DIY made from marine ply offcuts and finished in mini- sponge- rollered flat paint followed by two wipe - on coats of heat resistant 'Junkers Oil' ( great product) as used on kitchen worktops. It probably looks better in the pics than in real life. It was a prototype but I cannot be bothered refining it!
The box (30x50x60 - width/depth were determined by size of removable Origo stove)) is based on an Amdro http://www.amdro.co.uk/angel-campervans ... -p-59.html (nice but far too pricey) unit and the flip up and porthole are newer additions. The porthole gives access to the lower compartment when the bed is extended (for morning cuppa - hence posed kettle!)
I had thought about getting the fitter who ( own business) makes the units for Autocampers http://auto-campers.co.uk/day-van/ to make one up for me as I really like their style but our old bus does not warrant the expense. The LHS and RHS under floor mounting nuts/plates were fitted when the floor was laid. Flush fit rails would be another option for easy positioning and removal of the box.
We also use a water bottle with integrated hand pump and do all washing-up using site facilities
The slide table is made from an old computer table top - the fittings are inexpensive and readily available

[AndyS95]

Really well thought out..

Great job

[philpdr]

Nice one.

[mikeonb4c]

Very nicely thought out set up plus the advantages of the Origo meths cooker in cold weather. Where do you tend to put the fridge/coolbox in this arrangement?

[vanvliet]

Our fridge freezer is an older model Waeco compressor 'top loader' type ( same depth as cooker box) and is run from the leisure battery (socket on rear of central console - wiring was uprated ) or from the mains socket located in the pass footwell.It can also sit on the drivers seat or (now) the reversed passenger seat overnight. Also, for overnight, there is just room for a small portaloo ( again same depth as cooker box) at the slide door.
We have a Kyham motordome awning for longer stays
See pics added to first post album

[mikeonb4c]

Our fridge freezer is an older model Waeco compressor 'top loader' type ( same depth as cooker box) and is run from the leisure battery (socket on rear of central console - wiring was uprated ) or from the mains socket located in the pass footwell.It can also sit on the drivers seat or (now) the reversed passenger seat overnight. Also, for overnight, there is just room for a small portaloo ( again same depth as cooker box) at the slide door.
We have a Kyham motordome awning for longer stays
See pics added to first post album

Sounds good. Putting up our Khyam is v quick - it 's setting up home in and taking it down again that adds to overall time. Your set up means v little (if anything) has to go out into the Khyam, which is great

[vanvliet]

Yes Mike , the Kyhams are good . I use a zipper attachment. One half of the zipper remains on the van ( sewn onto a length of awning channel and mounted on a s/s board ,the other is sewn onto the Kyham.

We still have our old Oztent first bought for use with the ABI 'Adventurer' caravan but as I removed the roofrack it is no longer used . It is by far the best tent/awning I have ever had and it is built to last! https://www.boab.biz/oztent_home.htm
They rocketed in price when they started officially importing them from Australia . I got mine at a bargain price directly from the designer when he first started making them.

[mikeonb4c]

Yes Mike , the Kyhams are good . I use a zipper attachment. One half of the zipper remains on the van ( sewn onto a length of awning channel and mounted on a s/s board ,the other is sewn onto the Kyham.

We still have our old Oztent first bought for use with the ABI 'Adventurer' caravan but as I removed the roofrack it is no longer used . It is by far the best tent/awning I have ever had and it is built to last! https://www.boab.biz/oztent_home.htm
They rocketed in price when they started officially importing them from Australia . I got mine at a bargain price directly from the designer when he first started making them.

Yes I seem to recall you were always forward looking, from when I first exchanged messages with you 9+ years ago (I wonder what BJ4 is up to these days). I'd interested to see a pic of the Oztent in action with the Bongo.

[vanvliet]

I have not heard from BJ4 in years. He was married to a Japanese girl and seemed to be trying his hand at a number of businesses. We should be off to Japan in the new year so I might try to get someone in the trade to take me along to a car auction!