Bongo Fury

Hi - we have just bought a 1996 Mazda Bongo 2 wheel drive V6. It is fitted with 17" alloy rims. It is LPG converted so there is no spare wheel hole. It has a 15" space saver wheel and tyre as a spare which is knackered. Does anybody know of another space saver rim (17") from another vehicle that would fit?

Lucky Charlie wrote:Hi - we have just bought a 1996 Mazda Bongo 2 wheel drive V6. It is fitted with 17" alloy rims. It is LPG converted so there is no spare wheel hole. It has a 15" space saver wheel and tyre as a spare which is knackered. Does anybody know of another space saver rim (17") from another vehicle that would fit?

One or two people have been lucky sourcing new tyres. Simon Jones is one such and you could try PMing him in case he can advise. He has a v6 like you and i think he carries his spare on a tailgate rack.

If you have a towbar fitted you can purchase a bak-rak spare wheel carrier. Regarding your spare pick up a 15" steel wheel and purchase a tyre with a similar rolling radius to your 17"" alloys 215/70/15 or225/70/15 wont be too far away depending on what you have fitted to the 17" alloys, tyre calculator app will help Match up what you require.

Hi thanks for those answers - have to admit we hadn't thought about a tow bar option but as we have a rear kitchen pod and would be using the tailgate a lot have decided to keep the outside of the van uncluttered. Our main problem at the moment is where to get a 17" five stud rim to fit. I have read somewhere but can't find it again of somewhere who fitted Ravi wheels to their Bongo?

Lucky Charlie wrote:Hi thanks for those answers - have to admit we hadn't thought about a tow bar option but as we have a rear kitchen pod and would be using the tailgate a lot have decided to keep the outside of the van uncluttered. Our main problem at the moment is where to get a 17" five stud rim to fit. I have read somewhere but can't find it again of somewhere who fitted Ravi wheels to their Bongo?

That needn't stop you carrying a space saver on the tailgate exterior. The tailgate may not want to stay up with the extra weight but that is easily sorted i'm told by making up a snap on locking sleeve for one or both tailgate struts, using a section of suitable diameter upvc pipe. If you get a full width spare, where do you plan to stow it?

Hi, we have the second set of seats turned around so a spare will fit between the back of the drivers seat and the back of those seats behind it.
But, we need to locate one first.

Lucky Charlie wrote:Hi, we have the second set of seats turned around so a spare will fit between the back of the drivers seat and the back of those seats behind it.
But, we need to locate one first.

Ah ok. Have you tried contacting importer/converters as years back i got mine by contacting Manchester Campers, who were fitting alloys to their conversions and had plenty lying about. Breakers also might have one, so you could try George at Bongospares, Bellhill Motors etc. also, or try a new post on here with your request in the subject line?

Lucky Charlie wrote:Hi thanks for those answers - have to admit we hadn't thought about a tow bar option but as we have a rear kitchen pod and would be using the tailgate a lot have decided to keep the outside of the van uncluttered. Our main problem at the moment is where to get a 17" five stud rim to fit. I have read somewhere but can't find it again of somewhere who fitted Ravi wheels to their Bongo?

The bak rak is removable in less than 20 seconds, it also pivots 180' to allow you to open the door without having to remove the unit at all it, however there are issues fitting a towbar after the doughnut tank has been fitted, I was advised by Phil at jal that if I ever thought for a second I may fit a towbar, it should be done prior to fitting the LPG tank. Best move I ever did.
A spare inside the bongo is really in the way given the limited space you already have. Plus someone posted a few years back of a skinny spare exploding in a vehicle in high temperatures abroad, the cans of gunk are ok but the only puncture I ever had occurred on the outside lane of a dual carrageway by the time I slowed down an reached the hard shoulder the tyre wall was in bits, thankfully I had my rear mounted 15" steel full sized spare as I don't think I would a sourced a tyre for my 18" alloys at 9pm at night in the north of Scotland.