The Mazda Bongo Friendee Is The CHEAPEST Way To Go Camping In Style! (Forget The VW Westfalia)

This is seriously one of the coolest camper vans you have never heard of. Meet the Mazda Bonogo Friendee Free Top. It may be a silly name but this pop top camper will rival the VW Vanagon & Westfalia or a Mercedes and might just come out on top!
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#VanLife

[@jonzaremba]

I want a full biopic on this guy's life. He is your most interesting regular.

[@regsparkes6507]

Yes he is, and how can he go wrong with a name like Larry!

[@ROBinJVILLE]

easily the most interesting. my guy has every van

[@damilolaakanni]

You should invite Larry for more TFL videos, he's a great guy. And he has some really interesting cars too.

[@chuckersw]

We need to hire this guy! He has a great personality and a friendly smile. My favorite regular also.

[@igmaynard]

That's a fantastic summary of the world's best campervan. From the organisers of the UKs annual Bongo "jamboree", the Bongo Fury club salutes you sir!

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Salutes from USA Washington 😊

[@jamesward5721]

Fly in the Bongo ointment is corrosion - they love to rust. I generally have one out in the workshop being repaired - one leaves, another Bongo comes with identical issues. At this stage I have become a Bongo-Whisperer.

[@davidjones7571]

I have a Mazda Bongo as my weekend camping van and it's fantastic. Never let me down. Out if interest, I believe the "beer hole" as he put it is actually a hole to let the air out as the roof comes down, otherwise it can't escape.

[@shoechew]

And it's a beer hole!

[@TTarlov]

funny enough it is actually made to pass a drink. I saw original docs that come with these and it literally shows a person passing a Fanta bottle through the hole haha@@shoechew

[@aharquail]

Larry must have been following the trends of us Canadians for the last 10-15 years. We only have a 15 year import rule (not 25 like the U.S.). Here in British Columbia Canada we’ve had all these JDM’s for a long time. Delicas, Bongos, Honda stepwagons, Nissan Safaris, Pajeros are everywhere.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Elgrand Granvia Regius and more hiace touring

[@VantasticIdeas]

So cool to see the mighty Bongo across the pond. They are a great quirky van that's a lot fun to drive and own!! good job 👍

[@mikebell2750]

Larry is always so easy going and he doesn't hesitate to share his unique toys with the followers of TFL. Thanks for the cool share...👍

[@kevinblock2307]

Larry is awesome- he buys some pretty cool vehicles

[@pablomoreno1999]

I do like this guy and specially his car collection, definitely want to see more😁😁

[@greathornedowl3644]

Thanks, love the Japanese mini-cans/trucks. "Have you taken it offroad?" 4WD is nice, but no clearance for off-roading, maybe wet grass/gravel. So inventive even if they are copies - this reminds me of a VW Vanagon

[@regsparkes6507]

Now this is just what I wish I could buy. Great weekender for sure.

[@RUMBALman4downunder]

We had a non-camper, manual one of these as our family car when I was a kid

[@pinut187]

This guy is as awesome as his cars! I wish I had a friend like him.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Correct WL-T turbo diesel plus intercooler 125hp!! Super great engine!!!! 2.5L. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@adburns360]

These are common in the UK but you see a lot with bad rust issues.

[@mikemohan3213]

same as vw then

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Because 4WD

[@Partnerthedog]

I live in the same van and didn't know my front seats turn into rear seats -_- wow. I just sat in it for the first time, nice :)

[@SvenQ45]

Depending on the generations some of the Bongos are either a Nissan, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi or Toyota or the other way around. This one was also sold as a Ford. 😁 And again Japanese minivans (or k-cars) are so practical!

[@chuckwalla2967]

Old Previa had folding seats like that and also mid engine mount.

[@reallyrandomrides1296]

What a cool camper van! If Mazda had sold this in a LHD drive version to the US, Canada and other countries around the world, it would have really given the VW Westfalia Vanagon and Eurovan a run for its money. Could have been another cult classic.

[@P00katube]

But of course you can thank the now infamous Chicken Tax for not having in the USA when these were produced.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Absolutely true

[@msStoDwa]

I almost bought this car few years ago. I give up idea because of coming rust under the paint and right side steering wheel but rust was the main reason. A lot of great ideas I. e. both sun shades and /electric/ curtains. I'm not sure about electricity if both installed I don't remember. My owned both

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

If no rust more expensive 😊

[@edwinbatchelor6993]

Thanks for the info

[@alanalzee4849]

Larry the legend, TFL are you listening ? He would be great to watch on a more permanent basis 😉

[@davidchristin9325]

I used to get one when I went to New Zealand. I was planning to buy one for week-ends and holidays. I live in France and I was thinking if it’s hard to get some réparation done while it haven’t been commercialiased in france

[@jayrichards3672]

That thing is the "LEATHERMAN" in the van world very cool. Between diesels , manuals, and HIlux I'm seriously considering moving.

[@ipugo1037]

I had one as a vacation van in the Philippines. Power wasn’t bad and a really comfortable van to boot. Steering was moved to the left but controls were left the same so yeah, a lot of wiper moving every time I want to signal lol. It wasn’t a camper but seats still folded flat for a comfortable bed. I never figured out that was a small seat behind the front seats 🤦🏾‍♂️😅. Keep on cruisin.

[@pinut187]

Where did you hire it? Im often in the Philippines but had no idea about this.

[@ipugo1037]

@@pinut187 I bought it back then. Had to sell it coz of rust issues. 😐🤦🏾‍♂️

[@harleyrobertson6746]

Haven't watched it yet but it's the Mazda Bongo, they did a Ford variant called the Freda

[@johnhart5102]

Way cool vehicle. Seems like a really good daily driver. AND versatile.

[@plumb-bob8597]

As an owner of a vw t5 transporter camper im fully on board with this and always thought these were a neat package. 2.5td engine (approx 125bhp) air con, full time 4wd and electric pop up roof plus more, whats not to like. And half the cost of a basic, unconverted ex builders vw van.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Price big difference compared with sincro VW

[@beejaypea9459]

Please make an off-road/camping video with the Buhanka and the Bongo!!

[@IIIIIIIIIIIllllllIIIIIIIIIII]

Awesome video :D

[@ondrejkonopasek9363]

Anytime you feel like you have seen every JDM weird van, Larry pops in with another vehicle... I frickin love that guy!

[@dhu1042476]

I like the van!! But Larry just makes me..Smile.

[@bctours7090]

The Honda Element of old is very similar with the aftermarket camper top. Check them out!

[@HoosierDaddy_]

This guy has all of the cool toys!

[@brazilian4ever2]

I have the same one same color I love it great purchase but prices are much higher now.

[@TTarlov]

I am looking to buy one of these Bongos myself in Denver. Curious if he would be willing to show his van to me before i pull the trigger. Is that at all possible?

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

Reminds of the L400 Delica or a Eurovan/T4

[@ROBinJVILLE]

yooo this guys has ALL the vans

[@mhassouneh]

Larry has some goodies stashed!

[@EvendimataE]

in the philippines there were few of those for about $5k

[@ubercop2000]

oh hell, i need one of these in my life

[@georgecollins2345]

He seems to be a really cool guy.

[@Chris391971]

In the UK, there’s loads of imported Mazda Bongo Friendee / Ford Freda. Very popular for camper van conversions. I thought about getting one but apparently they can get rusty and uneconomical so I decided against it.

[@howtodocertainthings8452]

Dude, would totally recommend one. I purchased one a few months ago and has been loads of fun with the diesel 4x4. Two people and two dogs has been no problem at all. They can be gas guzzlers, but just drive sensibly. Also, VWs? Very very expensive. Concerning the rust, just get them wax oiled for about £150. Was speaking to my bongo specialist and they recommended that instead of under sealing.

[@davidratcliffe8701]

You have to get them under sealed. In the UK we put salt on the roads during winter. That salt rusts cars which aren't coated underneath from the factory. In Japan they don't use salt so don't have that issue. Get a good one and get it wax oiled.

[@johnspencer9967]

We got 2 bongos ❤

[@Inkulabi]

I love the design behind the engine being under the seat but wouldn't that be noisy! An electric version would be cool 😎

[@WizzRacing]

I been trying to find one in Japan to import to the United States. As I love Vans like these....

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Not easy to fine non rusty😊

[@ffl1409]

1:06 "Hi Gremlin" judging by Andre's reaction I don't think he was joking

[@WitchyWhale]

These were everywhere in England.

[@noah786]

I need one

[@CALABEHRA]

I wanna go camping with Larry too

[@calebdavies526]

can this thing hang on american highways at 70-75mph? If so i'm buying one right now

[@OscarGarcia-tf6jg]

It reminds me of the Toyota Previa

[@aharquail]

Does Larry also own a Honda Stepwagon? I’ve been debating between the Mazda Bongo and Honda Stepwagon. You guys should do a comparison if he does.

[@rickyho2140]

Stepwgn all the way. Crv mechanicals. Easy to fix. Parts everywhere

[@P00katube]

Doug Demuro will love THIIIIISSSS!!!!!

[@EvendimataE]

there is an importer in seattle selling one like that for $20k +

[@danmccarthy4700]

Larry needs his own channel.

[@barristerh5379]

Time to buy a ticket to Japan and come back with this instead of a postcard

[@aharquail]

Or just come to Canada, specifically British Columbia. We only have a 15 year import rule so we have had all these JDM’s around for a long time. You can’t drive far without seeing a Delica, Bongo, Honda Stepwagon etc.

[@lolitorabacal3962]

How much

[@shekharmoona544]

The VW versions are going for astronomical prices. I'd someone shipped these they could make a large profit. Especially if they updated it a little.

[@BakouMOH]

I am surprised this is mid-engined, considering the front end that looks like a regular front-engined minivan. Is there a frunk there?? What is that for?

[@FromMetayou]

Spare tyre as my ldv cub is probably

[@luke-xg4fu]

There’s no frunk it’s got the batteries and cooling system in the front

[@BillLaBrie]

I just want it for the name.

[@finnianfitzsimons623]

I want Larry to be my neighbour

[@Mr.Ramirez95]

Larry the kei car Guy.

[@bernicemcclendon1262]

When is your coverage on the 2022 ford ranger global model

[@ShaunHensley]

This is cute and all but I can stand up in a sprinter.

[@the_jarmel]

Have a great day everyone

[@muchterrace5110]

The kid in the van just cannot be bothered

[@Ofty511]

Things are getting expensive, I bought 12 arces with a cabin 2 years ago for 35,000, im done traveling . Been there done that everywhere, its to expensive and all the huge RVs with generators running all day and they do nothing thing but sit in them.

[@user-wk3vx2vl5n]

Кайф!!!!!!!!!

[@yorkchris10]

I thought Japanese folded their legs at the table.

[@adamandlorraine]

Great car. But change all those 30 year old coolant pipes and be prepared for some rust repair!

[@jamesonpace726]

Why do you insist on keeping the year/model a secret...?

[@psycharol]

mm

[@kevinbarry71]

This thing is light years ahead of any of those garbage Volkswagen vans

[@P00katube]

JDM Westy

[@EvendimataE]

that is a super bargain for $13k

[@alanhatswell]

Not easy to work on engine...head gasket is a common failure. . Not good.

[@FromMetayou]

He needs a Nissan vannette they are more reliable

[@marsdensclassicmotors6150]

Psh nah vw t3 all day Mazda bongos are common in Europe. Not to say they aren’t nice because they are great but a vw vanagon has way more character, still a great video as always guys 👍🏻

[@user-go4cn9dx1o]

В россии любят эти бусики, жаль ржавеют быстро!)

[@ruimachado8560]

the perfect vehicle for every family in the galaxy... car people are not able to build one like that anymore because of the lack of brains..

[@mikemohan3213]

much more reliable than the overpriced and overrated vw

[@mikeantj]

For some reason, this guy gives me creepy vibes. Small child hidden in the back, super happy/excited ...owns a van (non work van) If Roman dissapears ...prime suspect. Probably owns a mail order bride ...idfk