Has my Bongo been lowered?

BurtonBounders · Post by **BurtonBounders** » Sun May 06, 2007 4:01 pm

A local road has lots of speed bumps of the type that don't stretch right across the lane i.e. you can generally get the wheels either side. In the Bongo I'm finding that the engine under tray catches on the bumps unless I crawl over them. I've read some people have fitted spring assistors and soneone who said changing the shocks helped with a similar issue but I haven't found any conclusive answer.
Can anyone with an un-lowered Bongo give me some measurements I can check to see if mine has been lowered? If it has then I shall be seriously considering reversing the proceedure. (There's a picture from the side here if it helps).

Ta.

Ben

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun May 06, 2007 4:17 pm

I have no problems like that - just measured and bottom of my sills are 24cm from ground - hope this helps.

BurtonBounders · Post by **BurtonBounders** » Sun May 06, 2007 4:44 pm

Cheers franco,

if that measurement is to the bottom of the outermost edge of the sill then mine is the same...so what else could be the problem

I've taken some pictures and the damage is obvious - pretty sure it was already fairly knocked about:

nfn · Post by **nfn** » Sun May 06, 2007 5:21 pm

The distance from the sill to the ground might vary depending on how much extra weight is in the van -- camping conversions can add quite a lot of weight. I once had a 1970 flat top vw camper that a previous owner had put a rock-n-roll bed, stove, sink, cabinets etc. in. It eventually broke in half due to the extra weight! Properly converted vws have the frame strengthened.

The distance is 25.5cm on my unconverted 8 seater 2WD bongo. Your 24cm should be plenty though.

You could try going over the speed bumps at an angle instead of a straight on approach, or perhaps there was existing damage to the bottom cover that is making it hang down more than it should. Perhaps you could measure the distance to the ground from the plastic bottom cover at the oil drain plug, then compare with others. Mine is 17.5cm from the ground.

Post by **westonwarrior** » Sun May 06, 2007 5:23 pm

Just been out and measured min for you and at its lowest point my engin tray is just over 17-18 cm too

BurtonBounders · Post by **BurtonBounders** » Sun May 06, 2007 6:17 pm

Thanks for the replies chaps, I think we're getting somewhere! The engine tray mine has a clearance of jsut 10cm at it's lowest point, it's an 8 seat unconverted 2WD too nfn.

I wonder if it's a non standard engine tray...

Anyone know how I can tell if the springs are non-standard?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun May 06, 2007 7:13 pm

Probably caused by all that bumping up kerbs to park on the pavement.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun May 06, 2007 7:14 pm

only jokeing

BurtonBounders · Post by **BurtonBounders** » Sun May 06, 2007 7:31 pm

hehe, it did occur to me that it was my driving

Can't be with that height difference though.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:10 am

Hi BB, i am almost certain looking at the pictures that your bongo has been lowered.. I feel though that a more accurate measurement would be to measure from the inner edge
of the wheelarch lip, to the centre of the wheel.

If you did this from the front wheels then made an average of the two measurements, then the rear wheels and averaged the two measurements, but dont average the front and rear measurements together

If you would prefer to resume back to standard suspension (seriously) I can arrange for a qualified mechanic to swap the springs over from my bongo to yours...? I would stand the cost of course... PM me if you are interested.

BurtonBounders · Post by **BurtonBounders** » Mon May 07, 2007 7:40 am

I thought someone might be interested in getting their filthy mits on my springs!

I'll have to have a proper think about hte pros & cons bigdaddy' I'll let you know.

Ben

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Tue May 08, 2007 1:48 am

Ok, thanks BB

How did you know my hands are dirty?