Mazda Bongo Bed Conversion | Flat Bed At Last!

[@duvessa2003]

For those of us who are not handy and/or need to leave seats in for daily driver duties: I found that a 12” air mattress does work. I had experimented with memory foam but that was uncomfortable on the seats, which are only flattish. The air mattress is from Intex and has an internal pump. Just needing to keep it streamline and simple while watching beautiful builds on KZbin!

[@gingerwaynos]

Some great ideas and videos. As a new video idea, why not take a tour where you visit a viewer, and make one of those awesome flat beds. Maybe a mechanically incompetent, tool deficent viewer with a bongo that they'd love to sleep comfortably in. Maybe one in Scotland. Just an idea.

[@VantasticIdeas]

😂 I like your idea!! and I do like Scotland and road trips....

[@gingerwaynos]

@@VantasticIdeas excellent. Tea or coffee? Sugar and milk? When can we expect you.😁

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@gingerwaynos I only drink 'Um Bongo'! and I usually turn up at half past.

[@davideast2632]

Thanks so much for this. I'm seriously looking for a camper for a 50/50 home/touring lifestyle. I'm also 6'4" 25st, my other half isn't much less so this layout looks amazing to me! You've definitely got a new fan!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks appreciated :) One thing to note is the bed length on the kitchen side is probably around 5'7" - 5'8" from the back door to the kitchen unit. The other side can be up 8' so no problems there, just worth bearing in mind. If you can get to a Bongo meet up to check out other peoples vans I highly recommend doing that, the Bongo crowd are a very friendly lot and would be more then happy to let you view their vans. Cheers 👍

[@stephjeffries9916]

Another fab video. And look how HAPPY you are at the end. Lovely job 👍 Big drawers rule ok! 😃

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! That was relief that I didn’t totally trash the seat 😁 Cheers 👍

[@duvessa2003]

Hey, does Mr Vantastic remind anyone else of John Simm when he was in LIFE ON MARS? He also looks a lot like Simon Pegg.

[@spaceinyourface]

Love it,,,watched your other vid too showing the 3 different builds ,,,,I'd do mine almost exactly the same when we get our bongo,,,all I'd change,,if it was even possible,,would be to split that long draw under the seat in two,,so we could open up one side or the other. Honestly,,you've sold the bongo to us. I'd use it for astrophotography trips.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks!! If you watch my L Shape seating video I tweak the layout a little bit so I have access to the drawer better. A split drawer sounds like a good idea though. At the moment I have a completely empty van, so I'm starting all over again! going to do the same layout though as it work so well. Would make a great base for astrophotography. Good luck in your hunt for a Bongo! :)

[@spaceinyourface]

@@VantasticIdeas,, I'll definitely watch that,,thanks for the reply matey 👍

[@MarcoNoPolo]

It actually looks Factory. Excellent work Sir.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks, very kind of you :)

[@JonathanMattera-v5b]

Brilliant idea so much so I’m trying it myself just struggling with cut outs for the draw 👍

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! Oh I know, the whole drawer fitting is not an easy gig. Let me know how you get on! Cheers 👍

[@floatingfreedom6091]

A great job mate ! In awe of problem/ solution and work skills . Thanks

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks, much appreciated 😁

[@LS10Works]

Brilliant job, you made it look easy! Thanks for a great video

[@VantasticIdeas]

That's the beauty of video editing, you make anything look easy vs reality 😂 love your vids btw!!

[@LS10Works]

@@VantasticIdeas haha I know the feeling.. thanks mate 👍

[@cruisingandexploring]

Great video, what a result! Beats having to use extra toppers to flatten the bumps ;)

[@VantasticIdeas]

Yes, those things are a total pain. Another benefit for this new bed is that the mattresses don't move around and create gaps like my old toppers did. Thanks for watching 👍

[@aslandama]

Brilliantly done and looks so neat.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks!!

[@benjaminodriscoll6605]

Cracking job, love your vids

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks 👍

[@twish1999]

Well done! You did a brilliant job :-)

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks 😁

[@hellodarren]

Nice work!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks 👍

[@stuartsurkitt2585]

just seen your other video about the unit dimensions. cheers anyway.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Great! Cheers 👍

[@antonplatz7662]

Outstanding!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks 👍

[@maxmckerron]

Great idea and video mate! Have you thought about adding a row of cupboards along the side,just below the pop top? Would be great to see a video on it

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! Funny you should say that! I was thinking of a small overhead cupboard above the kitchen for a future video (I've got an extra idea to go with it as well). I used to have a large overhead cupboard when I had my mid side conversion, but I kept banging my head on it lol. I don't when I'll get to it, but stay tuned :) cheers!!

[@JoeMurphyLondon]

Brilliant work! And you seem so chilled! Did the MoT go ok?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thank you :) Yes it passed it's MOT, I've had clear MOTs for the past few now since I've been doing more regular work to it (which is a huge relief). Cheers 👍

[@sammynaylor]

Another brilliant job. Well done. How did you attach the foam to the boards to prevent them sliding around?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thank you :) The felt stretch carpet I glued on provides plenty of resistance, they don't slide anywhere! Cheers

[@mike_magnet_fishing]

Amazing job mate, how large is the box behind the bed as im working on my project Ford freda 98 plate

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks!! If you check out my dimensions video the measurements are on there, although since doing this bed update I did have to cut about 10 cm off the top of it to align with the bed platform - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6C9iaZqir2WlZY

[@kevinarmstrong4763]

Hi, have you considered offering your services to do more bed conversions?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Hi, Yes I have! I'm currently converting someone else's seat right now :) Are you looking to have your seat converted? if so drop me an email - [e-mail] - Cheers!

[@robertcairns8572]

go to the top of the class, full marks

[@VantasticIdeas]

😁 Thanks!

[@lazybed9425]

What density and thickness of mattress did you go for in the end. What height did the back box become. Excellent video and series.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks :) I still have these temporary mattresses as they're doing ok for now. I think they are about 4 inch foam (which is what I'll stick with), I still need these to be high density foam I think as these ones are way too soft. When I finally change them I'll definitely do a video! If you watch my L Shape seating video you'll see I remove the back box completely and go for a smaller simpler design - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ3IfpucqM17nJY - this layout is working out much better for me. Cheers!

[@lazybed9425]

@@VantasticIdeas We need to add a dog cage to the back box (for travelling mainly), so this is an excellent option. Why did you swap from 12mm ply to (looks like) 18mm MDF

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@lazybed9425 I only used the MDF for the bed because it was cheap and strong! I would ideally make the whole lot out of lightweight 15mm ply as that stuff is so light and strong and also has a tough laminated surface (no need to cover with vinyl or felt). The 12mm is fine for the box and kitchen, but might have been a bit flexible for the bed. Dog cage sounds like a good idea! Cheers :)

[@deemillard9066]

Any ideas for an older person to get safely in and out of the roof space?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Depends on your layout, with mine I can use the kitchen unit to lower myself up/down. I've seen some people use small ladders (like bunk bed ladders maybe?). There's definitely an amount of flexibility needed to use the roof space!!

[@Linda220677]

Not perfect??? It looks pretty perfect to me :). You're very clever :)

[@VantasticIdeas]

You are too kind :) thank you!!

[@stuartsurkitt2585]

going to do my , new to me, bongo. could i ask you for the dimensions for your sink/cupboard unit. not everything, height/width/depth. cheers.

[@fredfred7761]

Hi, always enjoy the videos so great to see a new one. where does the mod sit with MOTs and the seating position for the passengers. Are both unaffected? I.e. the rear seat still would pass an MOT inspection and 2 passengers could still travel comfortably in the back. cheers

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! As it uses the original seatbelt mounting points there shouldn't be any issue as that hasn't been modified. I've yet to cut the holes in the mattress for the seatbelts to poke through as that isn't shown on the video. The seating position is also the same albeit approx 10cm higher, so 2 passengers are able to comfortably sit in the back. Cheers.

[@fredfred7761]

​@@VantasticIdeas sounds like it could be fine. is there a different height between the seat and backrest when it's the original seat in the bed position? I've a t25 so not had the pleasure of sleeping in the bongo, though it's likely the next purchase. appreciate the reply

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@fredfred7761 They're not too far out, but they are lumpy which is why everyone uses a mattress topper. My seat foam was actually specially flattened before I purchased the van, but it still wasn't perfectly flat so still needed a topper! You'll find that a lot of these vans have been modified so you might find a really well flattened seat foam (or a rock n roll bed installed), you never know!! cheers.

[@fredfred7761]

​@@VantasticIdeas thanks mate. look forward to the next mod.

[@Wormixy]

Also interested in this - agree structurally it should be fine, my concern was the tester may struggle to see the mounting points because of the MDF

[@MinentleBonkolo-px8gb]

Mazda marathon identification number (vin)

[@johnharris9114]

Great video, would you consider doing this for someone else and earn some money?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! I would be more than happy to do this for someone else.

[@VantasticIdeas]

@@johnharris9114 If you go to the about page you can send an email from there - kzbin.infoabout

[@nightwolf1592]

That’s brilliant, well done. I would have gone into full panic mode quite early on to be honest 🫣😂

[@VantasticIdeas]

Ha ha, oh I went full panic throughout!! Thanks 👍