You're so innovative, I love your videos. I extended the passenger dickey seat for an adult by using an old office chair, from a charity shop, cost £10, unbolting the seat, from the metal frame, cut the back of the seat into a short of "T" shape to the width of the dicky seat so that it slides between the fitted seat back and the dicky seat and there you go! Held in place purely by the leverage, and it's been tested to 12st without moving. Very pleased with the result, no structural alteration and a very comfy seat for an adult or child, takes up very little space as it tucks down the side when not in use.
This is a great idea. I sometimes regret taking all my seats out, I wish I had found your channel before I did so, but there you go. I replaced the 3 seater with a single R&R bed, so I still have 3 belted seats, and I took out the fixed sofa/ single bed and replaced it with 2 x 4 drawer units. Now, I've decided to remove the units and put the fixed bed back in: I under-estimated how often my g/kids and friends would want to accompany me on my future adventures😅. Keep the great videos coming, they are inspiring, and I loved the latest conversion you did: ( Brendan, or Duncan?) Thank you, regards, Lynette.
I have just bought a bongo and I been watching though your videos for ideas my wife biggest concern was space and seating inside a "small" van this just proves how much of a tardis this van can be
Yeah it's the biggest issue, but with a bit of tinkering there's a usually a solution that can suit your needs. If you can use a roof box that can go a long way to freeing up space inside. Good luck and many happy travels with your Bongo :)
Thanks! personally I would opt for the diesel heater as electric heaters require too much power, so would drain a battery very quickly. Then you'd need enough time to recharge the battery ready for use again, I'm presuming charging via solar power which will more difficult in winter.
Nice vid. I notice you have 240v. is there a vid in your back catalogue showing your electric setup in the bongo? thought I'd watched all the vids. maybe one for a future video. I've noticed the sockets on the side
Thanks! It's on my list of videos to do, I was waiting until I'd updated a few other parts of my electrical set up before doing it, but I keep getting distracted with other jobs on the van! I've been asked a few times about this so I should just get on and do it really :)
Mine does latch in that position. I can see a latch position really far back as well. This might be because many years ago I drilled a new lock position for the seat (probably for my mid side conversion) and it could be that position. I've just been to check and it was really hard to tell if it was my extra holes doing it? To do this I made a jig to space the holes perfectly (you need to drill identical holes on both sliders), but it is as simple as drilling new holes (even though the original holes are square you can just drill round holes). I've been so used to my seats locking in that position as it seems like a very obvious place for them to latch!
@@VantasticIdeas that will be it then. Mine has two positions really far apart and most rear position is useless. When you drilled did you remove the rails or drill in situ?
@@LonicGheshu I drilled it in situ. I've got a spare set of runners that run along the rails so I could see/measure the 'spikes' that go into the holes in the rail to create my jig (Just a simple wooden block I drilled 3 holes in and slid into the rail from the end), but you could just as easily measure the hole spacing from what you can see on the rails (saves removing everything). I'm happy to measure where my 3 holes are in relation to the end of the rail if needed?
@@VantasticIdeas last weekend I drilled the extra holes. I marked my normal position on the plastic rail cover then pushed the seat back to the back window and marked that. It was 185mm from my normal position. I found a happy medium between extra legroom and having enough luggage space for my awning at 150mm. I designed and 3D printed a jig that dropped into the holes for my normal position and set up my new holes. I removed the kitchen, rolled the seat as far forward as it could go and drilled the holes with everything in situ. I did square off the holes with a dremel and surprisingly the slider locks dropped in first time without any issues. Not really a job I want to repeat, but it was definitely worth it. Thanks for giving me enough guidance to take on the challenge.
You're so innovative, I love your videos. I extended the passenger dickey seat for an adult by using an old office chair, from a charity shop, cost £10, unbolting the seat, from the metal frame, cut the back of the seat into a short of "T" shape to the width of the dicky seat so that it slides between the fitted seat back and the dicky seat and there you go! Held in place purely by the leverage, and it's been tested to 12st without moving. Very pleased with the result, no structural alteration and a very comfy seat for an adult or child, takes up very little space as it tucks down the side when not in use.
Thank you :) Sounds like you've created something very cool there with your seat!!
Cheers 👍
This is a great idea. I sometimes regret taking all my seats out, I wish I had found your channel before I did so, but there you go. I replaced the 3 seater with a single R&R bed, so I still have 3 belted seats, and I took out the fixed sofa/ single bed and replaced it with 2 x 4 drawer units. Now, I've decided to remove the units and put the fixed bed back in: I under-estimated how often my g/kids and friends would want to accompany me on my future adventures😅. Keep the great videos coming, they are inspiring, and I loved the latest conversion you did: ( Brendan, or Duncan?) Thank you, regards, Lynette.
I have just bought a bongo and I been watching though your videos for ideas my wife biggest concern was space and seating inside a "small" van this just proves how much of a tardis this van can be
Yeah it's the biggest issue, but with a bit of tinkering there's a usually a solution that can suit your needs. If you can use a roof box that can go a long way to freeing up space inside.
Good luck and many happy travels with your Bongo :)
Great idea! I’ve just fitted a stool in my Bongo (similar to yours) - now I have something else to consider!
Thanks, it’s never ending lol! Cheers 👍
Great video as always. I've done a similar thing in mine. Easy comfort is always the best option, after all, it's all about chilling out!
Thank you! 100% Agree, it's all about the chill :)
You’re very talented great ideas there.
Thank you :)
amazing work!
Thanks 👍
ye thanks for that now I want an l shape seating lol
Ha ha! sorry :)
nice set up ,we’ve been thinking about diesel heater or getting a eco flow to power a small electric heater what’s your thoughts
Thanks! personally I would opt for the diesel heater as electric heaters require too much power, so would drain a battery very quickly. Then you'd need enough time to recharge the battery ready for use again, I'm presuming charging via solar power which will more difficult in winter.
Nice vid. I notice you have 240v. is there a vid in your back catalogue showing your electric setup in the bongo? thought I'd watched all the vids. maybe one for a future video. I've noticed the sockets on the side
Thanks! It's on my list of videos to do, I was waiting until I'd updated a few other parts of my electrical set up before doing it, but I keep getting distracted with other jobs on the van! I've been asked a few times about this so I should just get on and do it really :)
When you push the seat all the way back, does it latch? The last latching position for mine has the backrest hanging out the back door.
Mine does latch in that position. I can see a latch position really far back as well. This might be because many years ago I drilled a new lock position for the seat (probably for my mid side conversion) and it could be that position. I've just been to check and it was really hard to tell if it was my extra holes doing it?
To do this I made a jig to space the holes perfectly (you need to drill identical holes on both sliders), but it is as simple as drilling new holes (even though the original holes are square you can just drill round holes). I've been so used to my seats locking in that position as it seems like a very obvious place for them to latch!
@@VantasticIdeas that will be it then. Mine has two positions really far apart and most rear position is useless. When you drilled did you remove the rails or drill in situ?
@@LonicGheshu I drilled it in situ. I've got a spare set of runners that run along the rails so I could see/measure the 'spikes' that go into the holes in the rail to create my jig (Just a simple wooden block I drilled 3 holes in and slid into the rail from the end), but you could just as easily measure the hole spacing from what you can see on the rails (saves removing everything).
I'm happy to measure where my 3 holes are in relation to the end of the rail if needed?
@@VantasticIdeas that would be excellent if you could. Much appreciated, thank you.
@@VantasticIdeas last weekend I drilled the extra holes. I marked my normal position on the plastic rail cover then pushed the seat back to the back window and marked that. It was 185mm from my normal position. I found a happy medium between extra legroom and having enough luggage space for my awning at 150mm. I designed and 3D printed a jig that dropped into the holes for my normal position and set up my new holes. I removed the kitchen, rolled the seat as far forward as it could go and drilled the holes with everything in situ. I did square off the holes with a dremel and surprisingly the slider locks dropped in first time without any issues. Not really a job I want to repeat, but it was definitely worth it. Thanks for giving me enough guidance to take on the challenge.
hi how big is the bed without the ext thanks sam
Do you mean just the seat/bed laid flat on it's own?
yes you got my drift cheers sam@@VantasticIdeas