This is getting my ticker firing at nigh on midnight on a Thursday. Picking up my Freda in a couple of days and was initially thinking of keeping it mostly stock with a little spruce up but this build looks mint!
Ha ha, glad you're liking the videos :) I would stay stock and see what suits your needs and get a feel for the van, nothing worse than jumping into the wrong conversion. They are pretty versatile vans without any fancy conversions! Enjoy you new van and welcome to the Freda/Bongo club!!! 😁😁
@@VantasticIdeas probably the better idea and can draw out a plan over time dependant on our needs as I am also using it as my daily work van as a plumber too
All looking really good Ian...the funny thing is I just fitted 2 tambour doors in my van to replace and upgrade the standard doors, it makes such a difference being able to get to all the cupboard space no matter how the rear seats are configured as we have the swivel center seat so had to plan on what we may need as it could be a bit of a faff some times...looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you 😁 I agree that tambour doors are brilliant, a you say great for saving space. I always planned on putting one in so great to finally do it and so easy to fit and they are incredibly satisfying to use!! Thanks for watching :)
I really like the layout of this, provides what you need and keeps so much more space. Just a little thing, when you’re gluing up large pieces with small clamps you can make up ‘cauls’ basically a thick beam that you clamp on top to keep boards aligned so they don’t rise up.
Ahh good idea with the cauls (I'll remember that)! I should have researched ways to clamp up things like that before doing it. I was worried it wouldn't glue up very well, but it seems to be holding up ok. I often think if other layouts would be better for me, but this one does work well. Cheers 👍
Thanks Brendan! it's a good job I love my Bongo because it's taking a lot of work to get to this point :) looking forward to actually using it. I'm keeping well my friend, I hope you're doing well? Cheers 👍 🚐💨
Just wondering how easy will it be to get at engine. On mine whoever done the conversion put flooring down so it's nearly impossible to undo bolts on the center rear engine hatch. Centre piece of vertical carpet. Cheers from old George.
Most of the time I only need access to the passenger side which is easily accessible. The drivers side is doable with this design but not brilliant, I am going to make the kitchen part easily removable when I need to better access to the drivers side engine bay. There's usually some trade off with conversions and this is one of those trade offs I'm afraid. I think pretty much every conversion with new flooring covers the central access bolts, if it's something you feel you need then I would cut an opening out in your flooring and make your own hatch (it's usually just thin plywood for the base). Although I'm not sure how often you would need to access them? Cheers!
@@VantasticIdeas Thanks for the info. Yep all conversion is a compromise. The central plate is to allow access when changing metal cooling pipes and also path taken for fuel line to Diesel Heater. Drivers seat hatch is gearbox oil. Fuel filter, particle sediment drainer air filter. Yep access not very often . Passenger side hatch engine oil and filter. Top central hatch used for tappet box seal and diesel glow plugs. Vacuum tubes. But again if van is well maintained its not used often. My Bongo I am just getting to know the vehicle. But if you are not mechanically minded and take it to a garage. They often refuse to work on camper converted Bongos. George
Thanks :) I reused the hinges from my old conversion so not sure where they came from. These ones look similar from leisure shop direct and it says for 15mm wood - www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan-accessories/caravan-door-fittings/caravan-door-hinges/caravan-cupboard-and-locker-door-hinges/fawo-cupboard-door-hinge I can't say these were a joy to fit, but they worked out in the end! Cheers👍
Your sure keeping busy,,,looks very tidy. Do you think you'll fit a diesel heater ever ? Lots of vids of other people fitting them but I'm a fan of your style & wounder where you'd fit one.
I am definitely going to be fitting a diesel heater! If I had space I would put it under the passenger seat which is the most common place on a Bongo. But I don't have any space under there on mine because of the LPG system, so I'm going to be putting it where I removed the rear heater as this video here - ruclips.net/video/exLDY0ukkE0/видео.html Ideally I should do it soon before finishing this conversion!! Cheers 👍
This is getting my ticker firing at nigh on midnight on a Thursday. Picking up my Freda in a couple of days and was initially thinking of keeping it mostly stock with a little spruce up but this build looks mint!
Ha ha, glad you're liking the videos :)
I would stay stock and see what suits your needs and get a feel for the van, nothing worse than jumping into the wrong conversion. They are pretty versatile vans without any fancy conversions!
Enjoy you new van and welcome to the Freda/Bongo club!!! 😁😁
@@VantasticIdeas probably the better idea and can draw out a plan over time dependant on our needs as I am also using it as my daily work van as a plumber too
@@BrentStrition Yes then you can be like me and spend endless hours dreaming/sketching up new layout ideas!!! Cheers 👍
It's looking great! Thanks for your videos 🙂👍
Thanks 🙂👍
This fit is just looking so neat👌
Thanks 😁
All looking really good Ian...the funny thing is I just fitted 2 tambour doors in my van to replace and upgrade the standard doors, it makes such a difference being able to get to all the cupboard space no matter how the rear seats are configured as we have the swivel center seat so had to plan on what we may need as it could be a bit of a faff some times...looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you 😁 I agree that tambour doors are brilliant, a you say great for saving space. I always planned on putting one in so great to finally do it and so easy to fit and they are incredibly satisfying to use!!
Thanks for watching :)
I really like the layout of this, provides what you need and keeps so much more space. Just a little thing, when you’re gluing up large pieces with small clamps you can make up ‘cauls’ basically a thick beam that you clamp on top to keep boards aligned so they don’t rise up.
Ahh good idea with the cauls (I'll remember that)! I should have researched ways to clamp up things like that before doing it. I was worried it wouldn't glue up very well, but it seems to be holding up ok.
I often think if other layouts would be better for me, but this one does work well. Cheers 👍
Fantastic video Ian love watching how meticulous you are, van looking sharp, veey inspiring to watch. Hope your keeping well fella ?
Thanks Brendan! it's a good job I love my Bongo because it's taking a lot of work to get to this point :) looking forward to actually using it.
I'm keeping well my friend, I hope you're doing well? Cheers 👍 🚐💨
Great video, thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching 👍
Looking great, Ian!
Thanks !! it's coming along nicely, but can't wait to get it all finished :) Cheers 👍
Just wondering how easy will it be to get at engine. On mine whoever done the conversion put flooring down so it's nearly impossible to undo bolts on the center rear engine hatch. Centre piece of vertical carpet. Cheers from old George.
Most of the time I only need access to the passenger side which is easily accessible. The drivers side is doable with this design but not brilliant, I am going to make the kitchen part easily removable when I need to better access to the drivers side engine bay. There's usually some trade off with conversions and this is one of those trade offs I'm afraid.
I think pretty much every conversion with new flooring covers the central access bolts, if it's something you feel you need then I would cut an opening out in your flooring and make your own hatch (it's usually just thin plywood for the base). Although I'm not sure how often you would need to access them?
Cheers!
@@VantasticIdeas Thanks for the info. Yep all conversion is a compromise. The central plate is to allow access when changing metal cooling pipes and also path taken for fuel line to Diesel Heater. Drivers seat hatch is gearbox oil. Fuel filter, particle sediment drainer air filter. Yep access not very often . Passenger side hatch engine oil and filter. Top central hatch used for tappet box seal and diesel glow plugs. Vacuum tubes. But again if van is well maintained its not used often. My Bongo I am just getting to know the vehicle. But if you are not mechanically minded and take it to a garage. They often refuse to work on camper converted Bongos. George
Great video! any chance you could share the link to where you got the tambour door kit? Thanks!
Thanks 👍 the tambour door was from Kirivans - www.kiravans.co.uk/products/kiravans-tambour-door-kit-choice-of-size-colour
It’s looking good! I need new hinges for the cupboards in my Bongo. Have you got a link for the ones you used?
Thanks :) I reused the hinges from my old conversion so not sure where they came from. These ones look similar from leisure shop direct and it says for 15mm wood - www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan-accessories/caravan-door-fittings/caravan-door-hinges/caravan-cupboard-and-locker-door-hinges/fawo-cupboard-door-hinge
I can't say these were a joy to fit, but they worked out in the end! Cheers👍
@@VantasticIdeas Great, thanks. I’ll try those out.
Looking good 👍 did you manage to block off your rear air con pipe so you can fill just the front air con? X
Not yet, it's on the list! but this conversion is all consuming :) cheers 👍
Your sure keeping busy,,,looks very tidy. Do you think you'll fit a diesel heater ever ? Lots of vids of other people fitting them but I'm a fan of your style & wounder where you'd fit one.
I am definitely going to be fitting a diesel heater! If I had space I would put it under the passenger seat which is the most common place on a Bongo. But I don't have any space under there on mine because of the LPG system, so I'm going to be putting it where I removed the rear heater as this video here - ruclips.net/video/exLDY0ukkE0/видео.html
Ideally I should do it soon before finishing this conversion!! Cheers 👍
Can't wait