Bongo Fury

G'Day All,

First post, I'm looking very seriously at upgrading to a Bongo from my much loved though much old and unreliable VW T3 Syncro Westfalia campervan. I'm an Aussie but it seems all the Bongo following is in the UK, I think I might be a bit stuck for parts / support for a Bongo down under, unless you can point me to any Aussie groups or members? Anyway I've been doing my research and here are some questions I'm stuck on hoping you folk can help with.

1. I'm tempted to get a van direct from the Japanese Auctions and do the conversion myself, though I'm not exactly sure which model features to look for apart from SGL5, the model sheet in the members forum seems to link to a website that's offline and the vin decoder also seems to be no longer on the internet. I will definitely require an LSD van so apart from a NLA VIN decoder is there anyway I could determine if the van has an LSD from the Japanese Auction listing? Do all vans after 2000 or so have bodykits that impact on ground clearance?

2. For the conversion I would like to do I will definitely need an underbody water tank. I do have the option of getting a van from the only place I can find in Australia who does Bongo conversions - http://www.motorhomesoz.com.au/motorhomes-for-sale/ They use a underbody water tank that means you are stuck only using a spacesaver spare. I'm wondering is there any other examples of underbody water tanks that people can send a photo of, or any sellers of watertanks? I have only googled plasticwatertanks.co.uk so far, but it's not clear to me where / how this watertank is fitted.

3. I've read a lot of tire posts, but it's not clear to me yet for 4wd purposes what would be the largest tire you can fit to a bongo? How about with minor modification like trimming the front guards seems to be mentioned? Would 215/70/16 fit? We are allowed +2 inch increase in diameter here without any problems, and even larger with an engineering certificate.

4. The biggest drawback for me in the Bongo, apart from a bit smaller interior space to my VW, is the decreased ground clearance. I don't plan on rock crawling or anything like that but being confident to go down some rocky fire trails would be nice. I'm wondering is there underbody protection that is needed on the Bongo? Suspension lift? I read a post about side rails from 'Van X' but then the link was broken, and I'm not sure if these were just for looks or as skid rail protection.

5. Last question, though I'm sure I will think of more! Are there recovery points from factory on the Bongo, in case I do get stuck, so I can get pulled out?

Thanks! Sam

Hi Sam

It's not difficult to fit a LSD in place of standard, so if you find a Bngomthat suits in other respects I'd go that route.

I'm no expert on larger tyres.

Rated recovery points are not fitted. There are 'Tie Down' points, one rear, two front, which are ok to tow a short distance on road, but I wouldn't try recovering a bogged down motor with them, these really aren't off roaders, and as you say ground clearance will be the downfall.

Hi
You are probably looking in the wrong direction if you need a 4x4 camper. Most campers in your required bracket are specialist, and the Bongo is only a rear wheel drive with a traction control that kicks in if the wheels spin. Toyota do a 4x4, but I suspect that it's not awfully competent off-road, but the Mitsubishi Delica is more like the vehicle you need. It's basically a Pajero with an MPV body, as it shares the same running gear. There are firms that could do conversions, as you say, and it already has a decent bit of ground clearance.
Cheers
Helen

Thumbs up for the Delicia but maybe not the extreme one above.

Thanks for the replies everyone and yes i was looking very closely at the delica before coming across bongos, the delica just doesn't have the interior space and a custom poptop costs $8000+ aud here and would still add enough height that i could no longer get the van in my garage or any underground parking. For my mild offroad uses i think an lsd bongo would be great just wondering if a few tweaks could improve offroad capability. Also the underbody watertank thing. The vw t3 syncro also uses a viscous coupling system and is very capable offroad. Ill be honest what i would really love to upgrade to is vw t6 california 4motion with air suspension, but just a tad out of my price range and not sold in Australia.

Anyway can anyone add any additional insight for me to my original queries? Would be much appreciated.

I have a V6 Bongo with LSD and 17in wheels. Its very competent off road. Not to the standard of a Land Rover or Classic Jeep wrangler, but not much is. It has survived a New Forest Bog, not for the faint hearted, floods and rough tracks.

Not sure if its up to the outback though. Daughter went round in a Pajero some years ago and that's more the standard. Forget an underbody water tank. The Bongo ground clearance is the weak spot. Mine is slightly lowered and I have pulled the engine tray off on a car park kerb.

If you are just staying on roads or tracks the Bongo should do you. But for anything rougher the Delica with the Pajero 4wd running gear is the one. I drove daughter's in Oz and it could go anywhere. Wary on sand dunes though. It may be smaller but was safe to go anywhere, made it to Ulhuru and back. An eight seater one makes a bed in the back like a Bongo.

I took my V6 down to the Sahara and after the first experience of sand did not leave a track again. I spent 2 years previously teaching in Saudi Arabia and had a 4WD Nissan Pathfinder 2L. Clearance was great but I learnt not to stop when driving on sand dunes. Luckily that helped me get the Bongo back to the track by not slowing from 30mph and keeping the foot on the gas.

Remember being bogged down in sand in Pathfinder near Riyadh. A Saudi came up and said do you want help. Next minute he got in the car and was careering at 50mph around the sand dunes.
Helped me out and made me feel pretty useless.....

I'm just getting a Japanese Ambulance import maybe you could look out for a Fire Engine? The Wheelquick Mikes have one on their wish list.