Pop Top Roof Bed Modification On Mazda Bongo (2005 Facelift Model)

Gordon the Bongo was originally imported from Japan as a “Tin Top” Mazda Bongo Friendee and we paid to have it fully converted inside into a campervan but we also had the “Tin Top” removed and a “Pop Top” roof fitted for an extra sleeping space of which the floor of the sleeping space which is also the ceiling in the van was made up of 4 individual removable boards, 2 short and 2 longer boards, these boards when not in use all stack on top of each other at the back end of the Bongo which to be honest was a pain and a better solution was needed.
This video shows how i fixed one of the small boards to the back of the van roof rail and then fixed the two longer boards together and hinged them off the smaller fixed board then attached 2 gas struts to make it automatically raise when pushed upwards.
Below are the links to all of the products used in the making of this short video.
Hope you found it useful.
Please Like & Subscribe for more videos
Find us on Instagram - whatwouldgordondo
1 Pair of 300N Gas Struts
www.strutsdepo...
1 Pair of M6 ring ends for gas struts
www.strutsdepo...
1 Pair of brackets for gas struts
www.strutsdepo...
Drivelodge Motorhomes for pop top roof
drivelodge.co.u...
DJI Osmo Action - Digital Camera with 11 m Dual Screen, Water Resistant, 4K HDR-Video 12MP 145 Degree Angle Camera, Durable Lens Filter Cap, Abrasion and Dust-Resistant, Anti-Oil/Water Coating - Black
www.amazon.co....
Hensych for DJI Osmo Action Microphone 3.5mm/USB-C Adapter,Charging Audio Adapter Audio External 3.5mm Mic Mount for TRS Plug
www.amazon.co....
RODE Wireless GO - Compact Wireless Microphone System,WIGO
www.amazon.co....
PGYTECH Action Camera Extension Pole Tripod Mini
www.amazon.co....

[@Fabbydabbydoozy]

Great video thanks. It's very difficult to find information on the roof space in these vehicles- I was delighted when you pulled out the tape - I'll even forgive the use of inches!

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

What can I say I'm old school and also an aircraft engineer and most aircraft are feet and inches, glad you liked it

[@papagwenownage]

Very helpful, gave me an idea of how to solve my pop top bed issue, thanks!

[@straydoggio]

Great video, thank you. My campervan doesn't have any bed boards so I need to get those first, but really tempted to later follow your video and make it as brilliant a system as yours. Thanks for the shopping links for the items required for what you used to make yours. Really impressed.

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Thanks, glad you found it useful 👍

[@jadeeafer6095]

Could you do a whole van tour? Looking at various van conversions and love this!

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

We were going to do one then we decided to book the van in to have the pop top replaced with a high top so will do one when that is fitted in a few weeks time

[@boswellrp1961]

Elegant and practical solution. Brilliant 😊

[@barcooter8248]

if you attach the removable board to the main board with hinges on top you can flip it out of the way rather than having to find somewhere to put it

[@esolpracticegroup3279]

Could you give us the gas struts spec? Looks a brilliant solution to me. I’ve got a ‘mushroom top’ - opens from the side - a killer to lift and wish I’d gone for a top like yours! The boards issue is the same so I’m going to see if I can adapt your idea… before the next long trip! Great video thankyou.

[@brendanmcfall739]

Superb fella just found and subscribed, I'm actually wanting.a fiammi awning but told not possible with an after market, but yours looks what I want.

[@robertcairns8572]

great idea, and it works very well thank you. rob

[@VanOnTour]

Nice idea and well executed.

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Thanks 👍

[@VantasticIdeas]

Great video! I've subscribed :) nice to see another 'Bongonaut' making youtube vids. I've got the same style roof, might need to look at doing something similar.

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Thanks, parp parp bongo wave

[@victoriaharper6825]

Hi! Great video, exactly what we needed 😊 can you please advise the length of the gas struts used? The link appears to be broken. Thanks in advance x

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Hi they are 300N and the length is 550mm

[@TheBigCpilot]

Well good

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Thanks

[@TheHappyWanderers1]

Good useful content there m8. Stay safe

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Thanks it means alot 👍

[@davidhagan6571]

fantastic mate just what i needed to know i have the same problem with my swb vivaro thought they were fitting a lift up bed above but when i went to collect found out that they fitted 3x boards not happy they said they could not do it as van to wide eer dont think so were are you you can do mine haaha

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Its really easy to do go for it

[@marcinmichalski146]

Awsome video Thank you :)

[@TheBigCpilot]

Where can I get a pair of those struts

[@shando1]

What length of gas strut did you use ?

[@benjamintrevor67]

Hi, Gordon. We've just bought a Bongo with a similar roof set up and considering doing something like this. Just wondering if you think you could have improved it in any way? Do you think you could do away with the aluminum angle piece by replacing your boards with a single piece and mounting the strut below somehow so they push the board up?

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

We looked at replacing the fixed board at the back and the other 2 boards with one long board but it was alot more expensive to buy a long board and cover it in 4 way stretch carpet, we also looked at putting the shocks under the board in the cab area but one side it obstructed our overhead cupboards and the other side they just looked ugly

[@benjamintrevor67]

@@WhatWouldGordonDo I quite like the thought of the short bit of board at the rear as it means you have space for bedding above when the boards are raised.

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

@@benjamintrevor67 that's exactly what we used to do, we have since replaced the pop top with a high top which is a massive game changer, alot quieter, alot cooler in the sun but keeps the heat in more and tonnes of storage

[@kateadams2212]

whats the weight limit in the roof?

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

No idea not pushed it to its limit but the roof boards were supplied by drivelodge the company that makes the roof and they say you can have 2 adults up there but there is only me who had used it and I've not fell of my wife below yet, I weigh 15st

[@petersmith5244]

lol

[@WhatWouldGordonDo]

Not sure what's funny but thanks for the comment