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Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > Non Ford Related Community Forums > Project Builds (non Car)

Project Builds (non Car) Here is an area where you can show / discuss other non car builds be they bikes, caravans, boats, BBQ's or whatever.

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Old 17-05-2020, 08:01 PM   #1
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Default The Bongo Caravan

I have posted random pics of our Caravan in various threads, but now that we have a new section for non car projects, I thought that I'd share the journey of our 1981 Viscount Caravan Project...

When we bought it and picked it up from Tamworth NSW in late Feb 2018...







Arriving home to Newcastle after a slow and steady 5 hour trip...



Some of you may recognise the Beastie Wagon...

The wife's expectations for the interior...




We played around with a few different internal design ideas - weight distribution / functionality were the two main considerations...




And then the strip down began...




Our challenge was to have it ready for Heathcote in June...
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Old 17-05-2020, 08:44 PM   #2
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

Some more tear down...





A friend came to visit me during tear down, but I don't think he was too interested...



It was then time to start planning new bits...




All marked out nicely and away we go...






That looks better, now to cut out the section for the hinged top over the cooktop / oven...



That went well...

I didn't like the colour of the bench top anyway...

Thankfully, some new bits started arriving to cheer me up...

Our plan was to make our caravan a 12 volt Free Camping van that didn't rely on 240V for anything...

This is our 12 volt hot water system and some new 12 volt LED tail lights.

...
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Old 18-05-2020, 08:30 AM   #3
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

Great project.
Love the nostalgia of the older vans.
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Old 18-05-2020, 04:15 PM   #4
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

OK, so it was time to replace the old tail lights with some new LEDs...







Then it was on to where the new Hot Water system would live...



Under what's left of the front seat was where it ended up, as I needed the room for the water pump too. It's just sitting in there for now, as I had to build the ensuite first before plumbing everything up.

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Old 18-05-2020, 04:22 PM   #5
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

We both wanted a queen sized mattress, so it was bed frame building time. Being conscious of adding too much weight, the frame was kept to a very basic frame.



Spacing the gaps to allow for a couple of storage tubs underneath...






Perfect fit...

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Old 18-05-2020, 04:27 PM   #6
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

Our new 12 volt Fridge / Freezer had also arrived, so where to put it?

I know, let's use half of the wardrobe...

The wife loved the idea, as it was raised up from the floor making it more comfortable to use.







You can't really see it, but it's secured from underneath and along the top of the fridge.
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Old 18-05-2020, 04:34 PM   #7
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

My wife wanted to get involved in the reno, so I took all the cupboard doors off for her to start painting. The doors knobs were to be replaced, so not fussed about the paint on them.






They came up really well (I had to say that...)

Then she started on the inside...





Starting to change now...
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Old 18-05-2020, 04:46 PM   #8
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

The Ensuite...

This was a big job and I'd never tried anything like this before, but you only learn by having a go right?...




The loo will go about here...








My first injury - A splinter under the finger nail...





Back to it...



A few rough measurements, then test fit...


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Old 18-05-2020, 04:55 PM   #9
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

The Ensuite cont'd...

Cut and test fit the front...



Starting to look like a bought one...



No going back now...





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Old 18-05-2020, 05:00 PM   #10
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

Just for a break from the ensuite, I upgraded some hardware on the trailer brake system...



I had to cut it to get it off, but it was clearly on its last legs anyway...



New one fitted...



The reversing latch was missing altogether, so a new one was fitted...



Job done...
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Old 18-05-2020, 05:59 PM   #11
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

I think there’s a market for a solenoid operated reversing latch!
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1995 Camry 2.2, white
1971 Ford Fairmont wagon 302w, C4 Polar white
1971 TC Cortina, 2L 4sp, Ermine white
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Old 18-05-2020, 06:02 PM   #12
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

great work, just dont plan on heading our way for awhile, I have an aversion to interstate caravans
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Old 18-05-2020, 07:24 PM   #13
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonz View Post
great work, just dont plan on heading our way for awhile, I have an aversion to interstate caravans

Why??
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Old 18-05-2020, 07:28 PM   #14
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonz View Post
great work, just dont plan on heading our way for awhile, I have an aversion to interstate caravans

Quote:
Originally Posted by nstg8a
Why??
Guys, let's not get into the whole anti-caravan thing, particularly in this thread. Bongo Boy hears enough anti-caravan talk from me as it is.
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Old 18-05-2020, 07:53 PM   #15
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

This is impressive - good work ��
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Old 30-05-2020, 06:38 PM   #16
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

Your doing a great job with the Van there, keep it up... About 6 months ago we had a group stay at the van park up the road from us and they all had refurbished 60's and 70's vans, most been pulled by similar age restored cars with a few Rod's thrown in, wish i had a camera at the time cause there was some real works of art.....

Got a quick question, have you had a chance to see how the water heater performs? I’ve been looking for a good 12v unit for some time now so if you get a chance a little review would be very helpful
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Old 28-12-2022, 04:17 PM   #17
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Default Re: The Bongo Caravan

How did this go? You've left us hanging
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