Bongo Fury

Looking good. Out of interest, when was your Bongo imported into the UK?

Wonderful looking sheet bender.

A coat of Hamerite should take care of it living outside.

TheLongRoad wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:43 am Looking good. Out of interest, when was your Bongo imported into the UK?

June 2008

Take care

teenmal wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2018 11:43 am

TheLongRoad wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:43 am Looking good. Out of interest, when was your Bongo imported into the UK?

June 2008

Take care

Thanks- was just wondering what length of time the UK climate and road salt had taken to inflict so much damage.

plonkatronix wrote: ↑Mon Feb 26, 2018 2:02 am

TheLongRoad wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2018 2:21 pm

teenmal wrote: ↑Sun Feb 25, 2018 11:43 am



June 2008

Take care

Thanks- was just wondering what length of time the UK climate and road salt had taken to inflict so much damage.

I see what you were thinking however it's strange that the most of the rot is on the drivers side, not what you would expect for the UK's roads.

Thanks teenmal

Most Bongos imported by the established companies appear to be well waxoiled on import. Guess there are other Bongos that are not so lucky. Mine has only been in Uk a few years and the under seal looks ok - but I’ll be giving it a closer look when (if ) the snow disappears. Keep up the work on yours and keep posting pics - always helpful. Thanks

Out of interest (and assuming you've not cut it open yet) is the rot as bad/worse on the passenger side? The drivers side is i think perceived as worse partly because its more of a headache/cost to sort due to the structure around the rear heater, need to weld/work around that, and the corrosion prone metal pipework to the rear heater, autobox etc.

Mine has been here since 2014, it was waxoyled or equivalent by the importer. I had it completely and more comprehensively redone in Novemeber 2017, I reckon every 3-4 years is about right. I try not to use if for days out if the roads are wet and have been salted though.

Top class job.

Fingers crossed your health improves soon.

Great progress. Really good job being done there - credit to you. Also looks like you are having to work in a confined space in the workshop. That’s never easy. I have one of those mechanics stools on wheels and find it easier on the knees to sit and weld. Keep up the good work and keep posting photos.

£68 very resourceful. I’ve a double garage but the Bongo won’t go under the door. So, I need to wait for warmer weather to work on it. Finally managed to see it reappear from under the snow.

Any chance you can modify the near side arch to give a bit more room?

Out with the measuring tape, fingers crossed.

Hi No Bongo.
Just picked up on your posts.
It looks like you are using Merc sprinter arches. When I did mine I let the arch in behind the existing panel (easier to level/fill) and found no issues with door striking if that helps.
I note that you considered using another arch to form an inner arch panel, I would recommend that at least on the N/S as the stresses around here are great what with the sliding door aperture etc. As you will know the originals where fixed to the outer panel using a structural adhesive (not a good idea?) over time this fails and welding in an inner arch would help stiffen this side.
Also check the roof gutter section on this side for old repairs.
Good luck.

The gutters aren't that common a problem, but more are beginning to show up as having problems, especially as the metal is quite thin up there see my Tin_worm images http://www.g8dhe.net/bongo_images/tin_worm/

Combination of factors, area prone to flexing around door opening, breakdown of sealant (old age?),gutter mounted awnings,AFT,condensation etc....
The panel is really a skin panel the main structure is in the cant rail underneath so cosmetic really.
Underside can be got at easily for waxing once the plastic trim is removed and the outer gutter channel treated by blocking off each end and filling the gutter with fresh engine oil or thinned wax and left to soak for a few days.
It only seems to be this side that is affected.