just picked up my new bongo yay!

[Whatersname]

Just got home from deepest Cornwall with our new van. We stopped on way home for fish and chips. Now just the important jobs to do like clean it and decide a name and Chuck our stuff in it for our first night camping out.

So excited

[Bob]

Ah yes, the naming.

Possibly reg related, my brother's is called Leo 'cos that's the no plate, many start with a 'B', Bertie, Billy, Bernard...

Ours is called Ferdinand (de Bongo) after the old BBC 2 series 'The Staggering Stories of Ferdinand de Bargos, and my we have some staggering stories after 10 years together.

If you live with him/her for a bit the name will come to you.

[Bongolia]

Good to know you sorted the seating arrangements.
As to the naming well I just called ours the Bongo at first but thought that`s a bit like calling a cat "Cat", still haven't got a name yet but I agree with Bob that it may be better to use "it" for a while until you uncover the traits of your "Bongo" and then arrive at an appropriate name.
Currently toying with "Pongo" but that`s possibly because of my wife predilection for Bacon Sarnies.

[Bob]

Porkie Bongo?

[Bongolia]

[Whatersname]

Yep 1 child in front 1 on rear bench and hubby in the back- most of the time it will just be me and the kids. Saving like mad for the swivel front bench or new seat belt in rear- I checked the cupboard and all the anchor points are in place and visible, hoping I can fit one without dedtroying the wardrobe - any experience of this?

Daughter wants bingo bongo - after the imaginary friend in inside out - Bing bong. Need to let sink in first.

First job is to get it cleaned - previous owners just back from a big trip and they gave it a quick once over but it's not showroom ready.

My coolant alarm has arrived and I get it fully serviced and inspected in mid September. Also getting it undersealed, previous wasn't sure if this has been done but it's a montague conversion and I think this is done as standard?? (conversion was done prior to them buying it).

We were hoping to have our first night camping along the beach this evening but weather isn't looking too promising.

Have I missed anything??

[Bongolia]

I would be inclined to give Montagues a ring on the rear belt question, if its like mine, then there is a square section tube running from the floor and terminating inside the roof at a plate with two largish bolts, on that tube is the mount for the O/S lap and diagonal belt. It sounds like all you need is the belt
Deffo on the rust treatment especially the inner w/arches,even if it has been done it wouldn't hurt to get it "topped up" have a search here for methods used., look on it as an investment. You may want to get the cam belt done if unsure as to its condition, I would suggest reading up on the cooling system so you can make any garage aware of the "special needs" of the Bongo bleeding process.
I agree with your little one, Bingo Bongo sounds good.
Hope the weather holds up for you.
Good Luck.

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome, and here's to many happy holidays. Not sure how old your Bongo is but i would definitely get it checked over for rusting and underseal as a priority. If it is any age and has been living in uk salty sea air for a while then it is at risk. If you find it needs welding done then find a good welder and see the work as an investment as Bongolia says. The revolving bench seat may have to wait, but hopefully not. I've 'happily' spent about £1500 on quality welding in the last couple of years but it has already given me 10 years invaluable service and its thoroughly worth it to keep such a wonderful vehicle sound for years ahead.

[Whatersname]

The people we bought the bongo from said the previous owners had replaced the can belt but had no proof of this. 123 away usually change the can belt as part of their conversion service and do the underseal but def a good idea to ring them and check. Also van is going in for a full service soon so will get all those parts checked.

We will have to lose the wardrobe door which would be a pain but hoping that we can just pop a belt on the attachments this will be the cheapest and safest option.

Already made the first bongo related purchase a camping table and chairs from lidl. Hubby is going off to golf in it

We have booked for the first weekend in Sept for our first trip away.

There is a localish chap to us allan service? Who is a bongo specialist so bingo bongo will be going there once he is back from his hols. Just need to sort the tax now. Got a good deal on insurance. Kids love it We put the roof up and they thought it was great.

We are planning a trip to the beach so we can try it out for the night - we have warned them any messing about and we will pack up and head home, they will test us on this (bless them) so we are having a local dry run so we can pack up and go home. When they realise we are serious it should bring them into line!! Thanks for all the advice everyone.

[Bob]

Allan is one of the country's top Bongo experts, he'll look after you well.

[Whatersname]

That's great to know I have someone well thought of closeish to me.

Hoping he can figure a reasonable way of getting another 3 point seatbelt installed on the back.

[Syner]

Get a coolant alarm fitted. I wish I had.

[Whatersname]

Syner- bought it the day I bought the van. Just need it fitted now, need to wait 3 weeks for that but only have 1 trip planned in that time an will be checking before we head off.