Rojie

8 hours ago, Ernest T said:

Hello all,

 

I'm looking for a Alphard / Vellfire garage in Woking / Guildford.

Any advice ?

 

Thank you !

Hi Ernest,

Welcome to the Forum

2 hours ago, Oddcouple said:

We had a wee bit of bad news last week. Adrian, who was doing our conversion was let down last minute by the guys that make his cabinets. We feel gutted for him as he has now lost quite a bit if work because of this. He suggested we call Northstar on the Isle of Wight to see if they could help. After a 30 minute phone call on Thursday, we ended up on the ferry yesterday to visit. Carol walked us through the entire workshop, looking at every stage and type of conversion. Hugely impressive operation and so friendly. We then spent a bit of time going through way to many colour options for me to cope with (thankfully Mrs was on hand for such things) and ended up placing an order there and then. We drop off on 4th July and pick up on 23rd (we wanted a Saturday pick up), all ferry costs included in the price, really excited with what we now have coming. It’s a bit more than we were paying, but we’ve included a lot more on the conversion. On the road for summer!

Shame you couldn't make it to Castle Coombe, but now we all know why.

You won't be disappointed with Northstar.

31 minutes ago, barrie Taylor said:

This topic seems to come to a stop but would be keen to know in more detail how the mirror is removed . Thanks

Hi Barrie,

Welcome to the Forum.

This is covered in another thread, good luck finding it.

I think it was by monsters, try searching his history.

Great idea.

I tried to order one, but couldn't !

Will try again in a few days 

8 hours ago, Teekay said:

I can’t seem to find what is Toyota winter complectation

 

https://specs.cars-directory.net/toyota/vellfire/3.5_Z_G_edition_38215.html

 

 what’s best way to find such information than bothering with a lazy post ? (I tried Google for a bit..)

Options list, Inventory.

Certainly, the Gen 1 has some cold climate options.

2 hours ago, OldWellhouse said:

Is that engine in your Alphy?  

I'm still thinking I added it up wrong but I mostly did 55 on the motorway and the rest was up and down hills and down the coast of Cumbria. If I get that again I'll be delighted even at 1.90 per litre. I have it in for a Toyota main dealer service today, wish me luck for the results!

Edit: I just realised I did the calculation on the first run based on half a tank and not the exact litres used, so maybe that one is off.

 

Please tell us all who the main dealer is, as not all Toyota dealers will work on Alphard/Vellfire machines

2 hours ago, OldWellhouse said:

UPDATE!

I must have gotten this wrong somehow but I was driving like Miss Daisy and I sat behind a Royal Mail truck on the motorway.

582kms = 361mls used 48.8L of E5. By my calculations(google) that makes 33.6MPG? 

Surely that isn't right?

Does not sound unreasonable to me.

I have never measured my mpg, but, my guess is about the same on a motorway at 60mph.

I have a 4.2L supercharged V8 that does 35mpg under the same circumstances.

2 hours ago, Darren Eyles said:

Has anyone managed to get a replacement key for their van, if so how did u do it?

I bought some off ebay.

Be sure to get the correct frequency. About £15

Toyota Alphard 05-09 Remote Car Key Fob with 4D67 Chip 314.3MHz 4Buttons.

Getting it programmed can be quite a challenge.

Toyota dealers won't do it.

You will need a competent auto locksmith and expect to pay £80 each !

Not cheap, but mine work perfectly.

These are not the Smart Key fobs.

Good Luck

59 minutes ago, jlanza said:

Hi, on the same situation as you were in. Did your windscreen eventually get sorted? How long did it take all together? I am being told could be around 12 weeks.

I have never used Autoglass but they advertise that fixing a chip should prevent a crack forming.

2 hours ago, charliec said:

Hey guys, im looking to lower my alphie, but i am unsure on what suspension/coilovers to get. Maybe some bags?? 

If anyone knows a company let me know

Hi again Charlie,

NOT cheap.

I suggest you send a PM to picasso.

5 hours ago, STEPHEN BEDWORTH said:

Thanks defuzo.my JPNZ manual has arrived and have sorted out now. Steve

I strongly recommend that all owners buy the relevant JPNZ Owners Manual.

I have no financial interest, or other interest, in the manuals; they are just 'necessary'.

Glad you got it sorted.

1 hour ago, drahpla said:

I believe the head unit and DSP are still highly valued in Japan, but I don't speak Japanese and am not sure anyone in Japan would by second hand electrical goods shipped by a foreigner that doesn't speak Japanese. However if anyone knows a route to market then I'd be interested in hearing about it.

There is a Japanese auction site, is it Yahoo ?

Or a listing on one of the JDM websites ?

On 5/13/2022 at 2:39 PM, Pritch said:

20220513_133134.heic 668.84 kB · 14 downloads 20220513_133118.heic 550.07 kB · 8 downloads

 

Hope this helps (sent via moby, in a field in Cheshire)...

These won't open without the correct apps/drivers.

On 5/7/2019 at 7:21 AM, Patrick said:

Help please.  What do you do to make the bed comfortable when seats are down to fill in the ridges?  Many thanks Patrick

The frivolous answer is more Guinness !

2 hours ago, kendo said:

Hi , yes I have remote locks and the buttons all seem ok.   Thanks for the reply, Ken.

I'm not sure I can help you with this, but I'll try.

Reading what Chris says (above) reminded me that I have a similar problem on one of my cars, not my Alphie.

The remote buttons can be rather temperamental, especially the lock button.

My tendency is to repeatedly press the lock button.

The car responds to this as a command to open all the windows !

I now have the habit of checking as I walk away; mainly because, more than once, I have returned (in the rain) to find all the windows open. Not funny.

I have spare remote which I need to start using !!

When I asked about remote locking; I asked the wrong question !

The right question was, do you have smart locks ?

I am reading my copy of the Owners Manual (published by JPNZ, £25 on ebay).

Hopefully you have two sets of Smart keys.

Change the battery in both, but not at the same time.

There are key linked window functions associated with keys.

I am assuming you don't use the manual key to lock / unlock the vehicle.

Supposedly, the remote keys need a 3 second press to operate the windows.

So my conclusion is either you have a key misfunction, hence changing batteries and trying both keys.

Maybe the buttons are not making clean, jitter free, connections.

Or of course, a glitch in the receive side. I won't pretend to even try to help in that case.

Oddly enough, the Owners Manual does not mention that the Smart fob does, or does not, operate the key linked window functions.

My guess is it does, so maybe more batteries will be needed !.

I sincerely hope at least some of this helps; otherwise you must remember to check as I do with my other car; or possibly buy a new key.

2 hours ago, Mathew said:

Hi all, I am a soon to be 2010 Velfire owner, I am trying to get a head unit ready to fit once I get the car in a few weeks, I want wireless apple carplay, DAB, and to work with the existing steering wheel controls and reverse camera. I cannot find information on patch cables (if required for AH20) and other required parts to make it all work. can anyone help? I want to fit myself as funds are tight. I have looked at Pioneer and Sony units so far, although the chineese units look great im concerned about reliability so steering clear. I have attached the current stereo fitted.

Hello Matthew,

Welcome to the Forum

On 1/31/2021 at 8:59 PM, Dangermouse said:

Hi All

 

Where do you store the mattress? 4 inces of foam in a double bed must take up a lot of volume in the back?

I have a folding mattress which, when folded double, fits exactly under the table of my rear conversion.

I'm looking for another, or will have some made.

Hello Stephen,

Welcome to the  Forum.

Silly question. Are you sure you have sensors ? OK, you do.

They are called Clearance Sonor in the Alphard. There is a little 'legend' in the face panel.

Not all Alphards have the option.

The Clearance Sonor and Back Sonor have nothing to do with the reversing camera. 

The Clearance Sonor distances, front corners and rear corners, page 141 et al, are settable via the head unit. (Oh what fun!)

Their is a Back Sonor, as well, which only works when in reverse from 1.5m.

They do not give an increasingly rapid bleep. You get Long beep, Short beeps and Continuous.

Depending on the setting, by the time your Japanese host speaks to you, you are too close !

All new owners tend to get quite acquainted with their Japanese lady host quite soon.

The reversing camera is just that. It is not connected to the Clearance Sonor systems.

The constant beeping is the reversing warning, unless you are already too close !

You need to buy the Owners Manual, pubished by JPNZ on ebay. £25.

There are two for your year. One includes Hybrid (FRO 3035) the other does not.

Hope this helps until you buy the Owners Manual.

IF you are able to locate a friendly Toyota dealer that is interested in your grey import they will contact Toyota Japan and check on the recall status.

The good news is that in the unlikely case that there are outstanding recalls Toyota UK will request authority to do the work.

If granted, Toyota Japan will fund it.

I have a VERY vague recollection that part of the export process checks for outstanding recalls; but I can't be sure though.

If you want to check yourself in case of doubt try

https://www.toyota.co.jp/recall-search/dc/search

Google should translate it !

58 minutes ago, kendo said:

HI All.    Occasionally when returning to my car after being parked, I find the doors still locked, but all of the windows fully open.   Anybody got an idea why this happens ?

Ken

Hi Ken,

Have you got wireless remote locks ?

1 hour ago, Shepsterboy123 said:

Hi,

 

I am looking at buying a 2006 Alphard and have been asking questions of the seller - the seller is a garage who imported the vehicle but they are not specialist importers i.e. they have a range of non import / import cars. 

 

I asked what grade the car was at auction and was told 4b. i have since purchased the CarVX report and is says grade 3.5. The mileage all adds up as per the advertised amount and what is on the Car VX report. the only other thing is it mentions a problem with the manufacturer recall - but doesn't say what and I can see three entries in the manufacturers recall section. 

 

How concerned should i be that the dealer has told me the wrong info? 

thanks

Hello Shepster,

Welcome to the Forum.

Ask for a copy of the Auction Report.

Any reputable dealer will have it and provide you with a copy.

They do need some interpretation but help is available on the internet.

As Alphards and Vellfires are becoming so popular there are many 'new' dealers entering the market.

If your dealer does not offer full (reasonable) disclosure; go elsewhere.

There is a core of very experienced, and reputable, dealers in the UK; try to be patient and buy a good example.

I would strongly recommend you get a copy of the English Owners Manual published by JPNZ.

£25 on ebay.

You will not be disappointed.

New ownership is 'quite exciting'; manuals (where they exist) will be in Japanese !

Many Toyota dealers will not work on grey imports.

Some hurdles can be quite a challenge; you don't need your seller to be one of them.

41 minutes ago, Michael2468 said:

Hi. New to the group. Just about to purchase my first camper this week and opting for the Alphard Hard Top. The dealer has lots to choose from so my question is, 2.4L or 3.0L. Also 2WD or 4WD. From what I’ve managed to find, there’s not a massive difference MPG wise so just the power thing. Thanks for any info. Mike.

- PS - Reason for hard top over pop top is wife preferred the more fixed solution for the 3rd berth plus the storage cupboards at front in Hard Top. 

hi Michael,

Welcome to the Forum.

Hard top ? Do you mean High Top ?

Main issue with Hard Tops, which are quite rare, is the restricted access to many car parks.

Enjoy your advanturing in your Campard.

2 hours ago, GSM said:

Hi I’m new to Alphards. We bought ours 3 months ago. The ABS brake light is on permanently . We took it to our local garage . They could not diagnose problem,  due it it being an import. We live in Huntingdon.  Any recommendations for a Alpahard Garages in the Cambridgeshire area. 

Hello GSM,

Welcome to the Forum.

I am sure you will receive some very useful suggestions from fellow members.

Check tyre pressures, tyres all have similar wear, all all the same type; and many others.

However, I did want to point out that although many Toyota Official dealers will not work on Grey Import vehicles; some will.

It is worth checking whether you local Toyota Dealer is one of them; just as a backstop.

Good luck

13 minutes ago, Shaggy said:

Hello there just bought a 2004 alphard hybrid. Very nice to drive. I will be doing the maintenance on it  myself. I was hoping to clean out the cooling fan for the batteries if anybody could advise as to it's location? Thanks.

Hello Shaggy,

Welcome to the Forum.

46 minutes ago, EaglEye said:

 

It helps that I can read Japanese

😜😋😜😋

You can be certain of one thing; next time I need a translation .....