New Conversion Part 1 - Ideas for my Mazda Bongo Campervan

[@SpanishwithJames]

It’s looking great! Very happy to see our old bench seat upcycled into something so wonderful 😍

[@VantasticIdeas]

Hi James! it feels brutal to rip it apart, but all worth it when end result is a good nights sleep :)

[@benjaminodriscoll6605]

Looking forward to seeing what is next. Great job!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks! Me too...figuring it out as I go along :)

[@brendanmcfall739]

Great Sunday morning on my exercise bike routine, and watching your video, great stuff fella you have some magnificent ideas,

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks Brendan 😁

[@aslandama]

Looking great already.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks 😁

[@Mike789]

Great video! New seat looks great, much prefer the carpet to the laminated wood for the draw. Excellent narration and editing as well. Looking forward to the next episode!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks!! Much appreciated 😁

[@WolfFlow38]

It's looking really nice and gonna be great. Your videos are well funny and informative, awesome work Bongo conversion sensei!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thank you :) I'll be at the Bongo dojo all week 😂

[@aviduke]

haha your chopping up the chair! nice to see how your mind works on the development process and you have the skills to back it up too. the 2nd seat looks far better than the one we left with you. sorry ours didn't work out. I'm curious how you will improve from the previous version, I guess adding a cat may be one option

[@VantasticIdeas]

If Bongo's had just a little more space I could have made a rock n roll style bed from your seat. I really wanted your chair to work as there are a lot of that style around. Worth a go and now I know! The cat comes as standard, I had to check she didn't sneak into your van before you drove off ha ha! I hope your enjoying you conversion :)

[@kieranpatterson1637]

Top job so far. Been watching your videos for a while now as I start just bought our first bongo, great inspiration. One idea I had, when you mention having the 4th seat using the drivers cuddy seat but not enough space for kitchen. What about using the runner system to mount your kitchen unit, even if you use panel space. And build if so the kitchen unit can slide forward and back a foot or so lockjng intk place at certain points, meaning it's slid back when beds up and you have people sitting in cuddy seats. And when bed needs to go down you slide the kitchen forward ( therefor blocking off front seat and allowing space for bed to fold. Wacky idea, but possible

[@VantasticIdeas]

Oh not a wacky idea at all!! I've had similar thoughts to this and on that conversion I did for the other people, their kitchen unit is actually bolted to the seat rails so they can quick release it, maybe with a bit of tinkering it could be made to slide. I like you idea of using that mechanism to free up the space for a seat, maybe just maybe....

[@hankcuccina5260]

Thanks for the video, an enjoyable watch, though it did make me feel most inadequate as a male not having your skills.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Glad you liked the video! I'm inadequate at everything else if that helps 😂

[@susannordstrom5065]

And he can cook as well

[@LonicGheshu]

I was getting so excited. I also have only the split fold seat and was hoping to see you create a split folding flat seat. Alas... 😢

[@VantasticIdeas]

I was really hoping it would work out as well! I would check out facebook marketplace as there are seats with solid backs out there. I am hoping to source a few myself and convert them ready to sell to anyone wanting this style of conversion. Cheers!

[@stevensteggles7560]

I smiled at the end of the video when you said about removing the heater matrix. Good ol Bongos eh 😄 Will follow with interest 👍👍

[@VantasticIdeas]

Oh yes, the good ol' Bongo! I've now done the heater matrix removal video so you can check that one out. Cheers 👍

[@LonicGheshu]

You could make a business of this I'm sure. I'm planning my next job of moving the mid kitchen and building a bed and drawer inspired by yours, but I'd consider paying you to do it.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Sounds like a similar conversion journey to me. I'd be more than happy to help you with this, you can drop me an email at [e-mail] and we can discuss what you need. Cheers 👍

[@lazybed9425]

Could you show some photos of how you are attaching the drawer to the seat please? I assume you are attaching it to the base plastics.

[@educatingoutsidethebox1354]

Love your videos really helpful. We are hoping to get a bongo in the next month but am wondering wheres best to go for insurance? Any tips gratefully received!

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thanks for watching my videos 😁 That question is best asked on the Bongo Facebook group as you'll get a better spread of experiences from different insurance companies. I should have changed my insurance this year but forgot and it's now renewed for another year!! I think Lifesure sounds like a good company though? Cheers 👍

[@educatingoutsidethebox1354]

@@VantasticIdeas thank you so much for replying 😊

[@therizfamily64]

Can i ask what fridge you have plesee love your videos

[@Frankie_ross]

Nicely made video. Currently in the process of converting my first Mazda Bongo. Nice to see some conversion videos of it being done, as they're hard to come by these days. Will definitely be following along! All the best 🤘🏼 Where are you based?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Thank you! These vans are getting old and I guess most are put off by the endless rust issues, I'm certainly having to consider what other (newer) vans are about. I'm based in Lincolnshire. Cheers!

[@vanfittravel]

Incredibly cool job!😍You are a great fellow!👍 Please tell me what size the seat turned out to be? What is the width of the seat and the height of the backrest? I want to do something similar in my lovely Bongo😊

[@VantasticIdeas]

Hi, sorry for the late reply!!! thank you for the kind words :) The seat width is 122cm and the board at the back is 51cm high (that is just the height of the board and not measurement from the seat base). Cheers 👍

[@matejbodalec289]

Incredible job bro! I will build my 95 bongo the same way :) Would appreciate if we can talk in DM :)

[@jetwinyard7479]

Can I ask how did you fix the wood to the metal frame? The most controversial part of our bongo is the bed set up, the original seats are so lumpy and I'm looking to swap them out for something flat. I like the idea of being able to keep the original frame because the runners are so useful. Your vids are giving me some great ideas so thanks so much for documenting your conversion adventures :-)

[@VantasticIdeas]

I use rivnuts to attach the wood. If you watch my first flat bed conversion video it will show you how I did that - kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6qbaGSAZ8h8ecksi=9cUf3hkrqPPdtlhi Thank you for the great feedback 😁 👍👍

[@D4VE26]

I have the split back bongo in a t5.. would bed conversion not work with 2 pieces of wood? On each bit?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Yes it would work just fine, but you would end up with a pretty big hing part not quite in the middle of the bed (I wanted a completely flat bed). It would have a nice advantage of just using part of the seat for a bed, so it could be pretty cool! Cheers 👍

[@garyrollins5533]

I need your help! I cannot find a decent bike carrier similar to yours for love nor money. Can I ask what make yours is, and where did you get it from?

[@VantasticIdeas]

Mine is the Fiamma rack that fits a Bongo and Mercedes Vito, although you will need to cut the spoiler if you have one. I got mine second hand. There is also the Thule 973 rack that fits without the need to cut the spoiler. Cheers!

[@garyrollins5533]

@@VantasticIdeas Thanks for letting me know, guess I'll have to keep looking ^.^

[@lazybed9425]

The split seat does not work for the flat bed system. The middle hinge mechanisms get in the way and will hinder you getting in and out of the bed (Swearing from cracking your shins at night) owww.

[@VantasticIdeas]

Ouch! That's what I was thinking and why I tried to remove it, it's a shame as there are lots of those split seats about!