GETTING A FORD FREDA

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:03 pm

hi peeps
just joined this here forum

right here goes

i am getting my first ford freda on friday (hopefully)
1995 (n) works out at 55000 miless in black raising roof 2.5 l diesel engine

other than taking it out for a good run listening out for any nasty noises checking normal stuff,

is there anything specific to these i should be looking at
the dealer up here sells them as is from the boat other than valeting and getting them mot`d no real service/cam belt change ( so i have budgeted for service and cambelt change and will be the first things to do when i get it.) but you do get them at a decent price

any help will be most grateful
nidge

ps hope to see some of you at dent i will be on the other campsite though as i have had run in`s with margaret(high lannings) regarding rip off prices when we had the cossack owners club rallies there for years

Yamaha · Post by **Yamaha** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:51 pm

Hi Clogger

Welcome to the Forum - you will find that becoming a Bongo / Freda will be a life-changing experience - at least, that's what most of us have found.

I'm sure someone with more mechanical experience will guide you as to what to look out for - but do read the past posts - I see there are 42 pages of Techie Stuff - so plenty to keep you interested.

OK on the Cossacks - I have 2 Urals, a 2003 North Star, and a 2005 Classic.
Great bikes - love 'em to bits!!

Mike

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:05 pm

cheers
yep been trawling thru the pages plenty stuff in there
will order the parts needed when it does turn up
i have no problem doing the work but advice on what to look for cos somones done it before is always useful

mmm cossacks
1961 k750 1967 ural m63 1971 mt9 1972 mt9(moggie minor engine in it)
1976 m63 (watercooled m67 engine) plus about 20 more when i go pick them up from the ukraine.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:10 pm

Main thing is to make sure that there is no overheating as this can prove expensive. Otherwise, as you say, give it a good test drive and have a good poke around underneath it to check for rust.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:20 pm

Welcome clogger. Loads of advice on BF. Check it out. Mike

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:24 am

If you have the time and inclination to drain the lake in Strathclyde Park, there's a solo Ural 650 in there - 20 odd years ago, a friend of mine was so pissed off with it he jammed the throttle, dumped the clutch and launched it in the deep end............funniest thing I ever saw

Ramsey · Post by **Ramsey** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:32 am

Things to look out for:
- If auto that the hold light isnt permantely on as this is bad.
- The engine is under the seats so if you can lift a seat and have a peep to makesure theres not oads of oil, passenger side best. All you need to do is ope the armrest and undo the plastic screw and also take out the cigarette lighter and undo that plastic screw, then pull of the centre console. There is on clip just under hte carpet there and twomore under the carpet in front of the seat(where you calfs would be). Make sure the seat is pulled all the way forward first. Then just push the seat backwards which will reveal the engine and dipstick.
- Look underneath for rust and also in the rain gutters by the windscreen, common places.
- Makesure aircon and heating is working both front and back.
- Tyres
- Jap service history
- Drive it and makesure its smooth and not pulling to one side or the other.
- Check the roof goes up and down easily, it is slow but should go up effortlessly.
- BIMTA check to confirm mileage.

I think thats it.
A full set of filters will cost you about £20-25 and a full set of brakes pads which are really easy to change (just done mine

will cost £50)
If four wheel drive justmake sure theres no clunks etc.

I love mine and wouldnt be without it the only downside is the fuel consumption so be prepared for 25mpg.

Goodluck and enjoy.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 10:56 am

...and check the front windscreen drain isnt blocked as water backs up and spills on the heater blower motor causing it to seize otherwise!

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:40 pm

update regarding the bongo
just got a phone call
the windscreen was cracked they were gonna repace it but are having bother finding one

anyone know who where will supply and if possible fit one
cheers

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:08 pm

Autoglass

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:17 pm

mmm
yep tried them no problems getting one
rang the dealers "err were not covered can you claim and we will give you the excess"

err no give me back my deposit i`m off elsewhere
so off i trawl thru autotrader again

so if anyone has a dealer in west yorks ish that are ok let me know

the world is my lobster(well west yorkshireish)

thanks so far for the help peeps

Gra Yorks · Post by **Gra Yorks** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:23 pm

ello clogger,

have you tried redline performance in bratfud ?
other than those there are a couple of spots in mirfield that do the 'fantastic wavy bed wonder machine'.
i got mine from shaks specialist car sales in huddersfield and not had any trouble with it so far ( cept fer boxin day on the M66, shredded tyre and space-saver spare incident) he imports direct from the land of the rising doo dah !

happy hunting
Gra

kitebeach · Post by **kitebeach** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:28 pm

I rang up garrage as soon as i bought one to ask same question they said "how many miles?" i said "45,000" they then told me down to last details what was wrong on my van without even seeing it!!! wish i could remember who i rang.

Main ones was bushes for torsion bars and new front and rear stabalisers as where knocking one rear one was broken, making van a real handful on motorways. You should be able to get all the parts needed for under £50 easy.

also tyres ive just had a flat and when i took it in was told it had allot of illigal punture repairs in it which where ok in Germany but not aloud over here.

apart from that no real problems awsome cars/vans

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:31 am

found another one this time tis the bongo at a dealers in peterbourough
must admit being a bit fussy as i want one in black (and not matt black which is my normal style)
as long as it`s right don`t have to be a minter cos it will be a working vehicle ie no back seats(most of the time) for trapsing via the ukraine and poland to pick russian/ukranian bikes and spares up and me kipping in the roof is a sound idea

got a few places in sunny bradford to check out today and get me deposit back from the nasty man in keighley

off for a nosey on saturday hopefully i can sort a deal out

hey wigan my old stomping ground heard the john bull has got wussy though boo

cheers peeps
nidge

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:38 pm

clogger - dont know how prepared you are to travel, but there are some absolute lulus in the Bongo Fury 'For Sale' section just now. I'd be after those like a shot if I hadnt got one already (Bongos are about the only car I like in black / silver!)

Mike

GETTING A FORD FREDA

GETTING A FORD FREDA

Freda

knocking noises