Bongo Fury

Hi all

Just trying to purchase a towbar for our 1996 Bongo, problem is they come as 'Bongo' one's AND 'Friendee one's and I'm not sure which to order!

It says 'Friendee' on the bottom left of the rear door but nowt on the V5, any ideas please as I don't want to order and find it's the wrong darn one?

Thanks

Mark

Gixermark wrote:Hi all

Just trying to purchase a towbar for our 1996 Bongo, problem is they come as 'Bongo' one's AND 'Friendee one's and I'm not sure which to order!

It says 'Friendee' on the bottom left of the rear door but nowt on the V5, any ideas please as I don't want to order and find it's the wrong darn one?

Thanks

Mark

The Friendee one ought to be for the Bongo Friendee and Ford Freda, whereas the Bongo one could be for the earlier model Bongo which is completely different? Can you email the vendor and ask?

mikeonb4c wrote:

Gixermark wrote:Hi all

Just trying to purchase a towbar for our 1996 Bongo, problem is they come as 'Bongo' one's AND 'Friendee one's and I'm not sure which to order!

It says 'Friendee' on the bottom left of the rear door but nowt on the V5, any ideas please as I don't want to order and find it's the wrong darn one?

Thanks

Mark

The Friendee one ought to be for the Bongo Friendee and Ford Freda, whereas the Bongo one could be for the earlier model Bongo which is completely different? Can you email the vendor and ask?

Really not sure what to do. Is there a defo difference between the Bongo and the Friendee? I can only assume it's the Friendee I have as it's clearly on the rear door.

I can't say if it's better or worse than other makes .. but the Bongo 'specialist' who fitted my LPG system, fitted me an A1 tow bar that at the time he said was one of the available for the Bongo ..



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tow-Bar-Kit-F ... 1c22f770df

Mazda Bongo has been around in some form since 1966: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Bongo. As long as the seller confirms it will fit the model from 1994 - 2005 then it will be the right one.

There's a factsheet to show you what's involved:

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... owbars.pdf

I've fitted 2 of the A1 towbars and I think they are probably the most sturdy type available, especially if you plan to use a bike rack or back box. One tip would be to sand the paint off first and give it a couple of coats of Smoothrite before fitting it. The paint they are supplied with is very thin with no primer and will soon be covered in surface rust if left unprotected.

Thanks all for your advice, especially the fact sheet which is just what was called for!

Couldn't pin down an A1 bar as they aren't specific re dates etc so went with a TT ( Tow Trust ) bar as I've had a removable one fitted to a Focus ST in the past and for the money it was excellent value. Also, both the Bongo & Friendee shown on their site have the same part number so should fit Ok!!!!

Gone for this set off ebay : 140575897512 as it's complete including all bolts etc. Only need the bar for a 3 bike Thule rack so this will be fine.

Cheers

there are few types of towbar and some are stronger than others. 1 type just bolts through the bumper mount, which on the nearside is exactly where the rear crossmember rots! so make sure your crossmember is in good health before you attach anything to it

Julian

321Away wrote:there are few types of towbar and some are stronger than others. 1 type just bolts through the bumper mount, which on the nearside is exactly where the rear crossmember rots! so make sure your crossmember is in good health before you attach anything to it

Julian

Yeah, will do Julian, Thanks. Only carrying bikes & I am assured the underneath is like new with no welding etc and waxoyled from new.

Mark

Hi,
Just to confirm for new owners, both vairiation of name be it Mazda or Ford are the same vehicle.

Cheers

One thing to be aware of is that if you have later rear bumber (2002 ish onwards) that you may have to make a cutout in the lower 'splitter' section. Takes a little bit of fettling with a Dremel to get a nice clean edge. You can't really see it here, but there a cutout section behind the towbar flange: