My Top 5 Mazda Bongo Modifications - And How Much They Have Cost!

If you have watched a few of my other videos you are probably already aware than my Bongo has been through a few incarnations since I bought him in 2014. I think that he is now in the most perfect configuration (for me anyway!)
A few of you have asked about some of the work I've had done over the years so in this video I talk about my top 5 modifications with an indication of the likely costs today including what I paid for my Bongo.
I hope you find it useful if you're thinking of buying a Bongo and /or getting some work done on one you already own.
Thank you for watching! See you next time
Julia x

[@deborahtellis7583]

Thanks for sharing! I enjoy the videos that I have just come across. I have a 2001 PopTop Bongo! I have not modified it yet because I am on-call as the deso driver for my daughter & friends. lol, I'm in Australia. Cheers, Deb :)

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Such a versatile van isn’t it. We used it loads as an 8 seater before we did the conversion.

[@lindseywilliams1184]

Hi from west wales Thank-you for sharing your tips. Happy camping 🤗🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

👋🏼 and the same to you 😊

[@duvessa2003]

Very informative. Thank you! I had no idea that you could do a swivel seat with these vans.

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

It’s made a great difference to the amount of space for us 😊

[@nightwolf1592]

Well we’re now proud owners of our own Freda, 2.5 turbo diesel 4x4 and we love it. Fresh import and newly prepared etc. It’s a tin top 8 seater so at some point we’ll probably convert and think a high roof is the way we will go. So much fun to drive, comfortable and smile inducing 😊

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Congratulations on getting your Bongo 😊 Enjoy your adventures and planning the conversions

[@duvessa2003]

Congrats! Welcome to the club 🍀

[@BrawTravels]

Brilliant breakdown, thank you. P.S you can never have enough hats! 👍🏼

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

I think I have room for a few more 😂

[@chuckmorrismtb]

Really good video, very informative, thanks

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Thank you much for watching and taking the time to comment 😊

[@duvessa2003]

Love the hat! It’s a classic.

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Thank you 🎩 😆

[@shaunwilson6396]

Lovely converstion....wish I had one it would be perfect for me and my 2 dogs 🙂

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Thank you. It’s taken a few mistakes but I think I’ve got it perfect for mr now 😁

[@quirko8012]

Great video. Have you had your front seats recovered? They look really fresh and lovely! I think you’ve convinced me to get the swivel seat, I’ve been thinking about it but not sure it’s worth it. Seeing your van has made up my mind 😀

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Hi Nikki thank you 😊 No I haven’t had seats recovered they were pretty immaculate when the van arrived here. Honestly the swivel seat is brilliant - it wouldn’t have worked when I still had a rear facing middle bench seat though but with a side conversion or a side pull out bed like mine it creates a lot of extra space

[@SoulMedicine14u]

Very interesting. Thank you 😊

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

You’re very welcome ☺️

[@joancowley6501]

Another great video, really interesting how what you require from your van evolves. One thought, would your bookends fit the other way while travelling, high side facing outwards? Or would the whole lot come down! Anyway, lovely to keep a book collection 📚 😊

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Joan that’s a fantastic suggestion! It might well work! I’ll definitely give it a go. I never thought of that! Will keep you posted

[@aslandama]

Great use of space.

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Thank you so much 😊

[@ruslan6494]

Привет)) Очень здорово получилось, молодец!!!!

[@nigglemoth]

Super interesting video, thanks for doing the research for current pricing too. Were the roof cupboards an addon or part of the hi-top build? Also, when we get our van we hope to go touring a bit - maybe even Scotland one day - do you have a rough idea of how far you can go on one tank of petrol? Thank you :)

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Thanks Niggle Moth 😁 I had the cupboards done the same time as the high top but paid extra for them. Good question on the fuel ... I don’t look too closely at the fuel gauge ... it’s too scary! 😧 I’d say £50 petrol gets me about 250 miles 🥺

[@amandapontin4141]

Really interesting to hear about your modifications - on our list are getting a leisure battery and diesel heater fitted - have you got any more info on either of these? Thanks

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Hi Amanda thanks for watching 😊 I’ve done a separate video on the diesel heater - it’s called “initial impressions of an Autoterm Diesel Heater” - I’m so happy with it but haven’t had as much chance to use it this winter because of lockdown. Regarding the leisure battery I had mine done as part of rear conversion so font know what it would cost separately. It’s a total game changer though - I see a lot of people are buying “jackery” power stations which might be an alternative for you to look at?

[@NaomiSeptier]

Thanks!!

[@everyday316]

Great video! Thanks for posting.. Do you have a link to the company where I could buy the parts to make the front seat swivel?

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Hi there - I had mine from New Dawn Conversions. They do sell the seat only and you can fit yourself. Here is the link www.newdawnconversions.co.uk/

[@christineclark3686]

Hi, I am new to this and I am about to buy my first hi hard top bongo and your videos are great and so informative. Question , I have the option on layout and love your rear units with side seats, how much room for sleeping and I am wondering about a portaloo and where that would go. Many thanks in advance. At the moment I have a Ford Duetto Autosleeper so I am coming down in size so space and storage will be important . Thank you .

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Well my pull out side bench comes out almost across the full width of the van when in bed mode. It’s a pretty generous size actually especially if you have the swivel passenger seat. You might need to pas out some gaps with cushions which is what o do. I know of some people who put a porta potti on the passenger seat for night time use and others have used the original dicky seat as a sort of platform for a camping loo. I’ve seen photos of this over on the Facebook forums. Hope that helps

[@christineclark3686]

@@TheImportanceofBeing thank you, does this also mean you can only have two seatbelts in the front

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

@@christineclark3686 yes I’m afraid so. And I’ve only recently found out that I can’t disable the passenger airbag so I can’t take my grandson in his car seat either

[@christineclark3686]

@@TheImportanceofBeing that’s a shame so at least I now know it’s a side conversion. Thank you so much for your help x

[@jameslewis2418]

Hi. Whats the little device in view while you were demostrating the swivel seat. Black buttons and an led display? ( i apologise if someone already asked)

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Hi James - guessing you mean the thermostatic controller for the diesel heater? I’ve done a video on that - it’s an Autoterm 2k diesel heater in case you’re interested 😊

[@kyliecox1992]

I'm planning to get a Bongo and would want a bike rack. It's just me and my 5 year old so I won't have any help. Your hubby is super tall and seeing him put those bikes on it made me question how easy it is for someone whose 5ft 2. I guess a foot stool would be needed. So I just want to ask, are you, being 5'3, able to put bikes on and off the rack yourself?

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Hi there I have tried to do it myself but to be honest my bike is really heavy and I found it difficult I guess there are some lighter bikes out there which would make it easier?

[@stephenbadenski541]

What is the model of your swivel seat base with it sliding sideways that could solve my problem of the centre console sorry to say mine is a Toyota Granvia

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

I had it done at New Dawn conversions just outside Birmingham - you can order them to fit yourself if you prefer

[@stephenbadenski541]

@@TheImportanceofBeing thanks I will look into the best option

[@andrewhillphotosvideos2909]

That company in Swansea I hope has closed down for ripping people off. thanks for the info tho babe

[@rtalbot87]

Try bungee straps for your books

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Good idea 💡 Almost took my eye out with bungee straps a few years ago so I’m quite nervous of them 😆

[@zeez9053]

Like the way your hookup is .way superior !

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Do you really think so? I was a bit embarrassed to show it because it doesn’t look like everyone else’s 😌

[@deborahgriggs891]

I've got the same under-bonnet hook up. Do you have any trouble disconnecting the lead? It takes some work and wiggling on mine!

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Hi Deborah - yay I’m not the only one with an under bonnet one ☺️ Yes I agree it does take a bit of waggling!

[@zeez9053]

Imp of Be don’t be silly they be damaged their panels with a hole ( giving it a potential rust point ) where as yours is slick and no fuss .Greetings from Teeside

[@jameslewis2418]

@@zeez9053 I dont like them either

[@glynscothern4073]

Next will the rust under it as we know some one who has had little change from £2.000.00 .

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Ohhh how depressing 😞

[@Bill_Dingsite]

I had a high top and I really regret selling it. 😥

[@TheImportanceofBeing]

Oh that’s very sad to hear …. Do you think you’ll get another van?

[@Bill_Dingsite]

@@TheImportanceofBeing maybe sometime in the future. Your bongo improvements are all well worth the money you ha e spent. I really wanted the reversible passenger seat but just never got around to it.