Hello from newbie

Hi everyone. I am currently in the process of selling my mazda bongo to upgrade to a bigger camper .The toyota seems to tick all the boxes. having owned the bongo for 3 years now I am well aware of the virtues of jap imports, super reliable, better spec etc.

so i would be grateful for some advice on potential problems to look out for when buying , which model to lookout for etc.

Cheers Lee.

Welcome Lee, plenty of advice on here, lots of threads about what models. genaral view is to go for the 3.0l engine and unless you really need it, 2wd will be better for your economy....

Pretty reliable beasts really, but check compression in the 2.8 as i've heard the head can crack and make sure the suspension works ok, particularly if it has TEMS....

Bit like the bongo, most bits are shared with other models, its just rim thats the problem...

Quote :

Pretty reliable beasts really, but check compression in the 2.8 as i've heard the head can crack and make sure the suspension works ok, particularly if it has TEMS....

the problomatic head is fitted to the 2.4 (similiar to the bongos problems ).... had mine 2 n half years ..just passed its 2nd mot requiring nothing...used to have a converted bongo myself but its far to small to be of any real use as a camper ...hiace is seriously better...

Hello Jim,
I've had my 2.8 LWB camper for 6 yrs now and apart from consumables like tyres and exhaust which has been replaced by a stainless one, it's always flown through the MOT. If you want a real improvement in room over the Bongo then seek the LWB model. There's one been put up for sale in the past few days elsewhere in these forums

Thanks guys, I think mymind is definitely made up now, a lwb with a hi top is what im after as we have 2 small kids hence the need to ditch the bongo. I just have to find the right one now!
excuse my ignorance but what is TEMS?

jimsmim wrote:

Quote :

Pretty reliable beasts really, but check compression in the 2.8 as i've heard the head can crack and make sure the suspension works ok, particularly if it has TEMS....

the problomatic head is fitted to the 2.4 (similiar to the bongos problems ).... had mine 2 n half years ..just passed its 2nd mot requiring nothing...used to have a converted bongo myself but its far to small to be of any real use as a camper ...hiace is seriously better...

Sorry Jim, meant 2.4.... consider me suitably chastised

TEMS, its electronically adjustable suspension, adjusts firmer when needed, very trick bit of kit for a big bus !

Quote :

Thanks guys, I think mymind is definitely made up now, a lwb with a hi top is what im after as we have 2 small kids hence the need to ditch the bongo. I just have to find the right one now!
excuse my ignorance but what is TEMS?

better check out one first ... the roof space bed in a high top can feel a bit claustrophobic ...nothing like the roof space in a bongo as the roof on the AFT goes up really high, even my pop top which is longer still feels somewhat cramped compared to the bongos....though you are inside the van unlike in the poptop which feels more tent like... .... I have a large cover that came with mine which slips over the top for added insulation on cold nights... .....best thing is to see a few before deciding what suits you as there are so many different conversions around .... probably worth visiting these guys for a sniff around to see whats out there... http://www.poplarmotors.co.uk/

or a6 motors in stockport who advertise under" kings valley car supermarket" on ebay...both of these dealers usually carry a large stock of hiaces....

I was thinking to go visit poplar motors looks like he can get pretty much anything. i will have a butchers at kings valley too.

Once again thanks for the info, youve all been really helpful. Its great that this forum exists and you have somewhere to ask questions.