Rojie

Joeko, Hi again, Search for Alphard Insurance in the search box on this Forum. There are loads of comments, including my own. You're certain to get on the right track with all the help from the Forum members. I'm still unsure whether you have an Alphard or Vellfire, and whether it is Gen 1 or Gen2. Gen 2 if it has the 3.5l, Gen 1 if it has the 3.0l.

Hello Shane Welcome to this Forum. I agree with Ian24, and there are plenty to choose from directly from Japan via ebay. Be careful though, there are different seat options available. Ensure you order the correct version for your machine.

As an aside; over 20 years ago I lived in Denver, Colorado. Many routes were designated as Snow Routes with very restricted parking, similar to London's Red Routes. Parking in the path of snow ploughs could result in your car being literally ploughed off the through road. Even worse, perhaps, on the main freeway travelling west from Denver, up through the Rockies, there were areas where snow chains were mandatory. You had to stop in all weathers and fit your chains. Failure to do so resulted in you being rescued as you were sure to not make it over the mountain passes. Your car was seized and impounded for 30 days I think it was. Apart from the Wreckers bill, the impound bill you got a massive fine. A very expensive mistake to make. Jason, as you live in Taunton, in the glorious South West, like myself and Starider, do you really need winter tyres? Are you fitting them for grip, or to prevent your alloy wheels being attacked by salt corrosion. Studded tyres can work well in the UK, but are not much use unless on ice and compacted snow.

Hello, Is yours a 3.5 ?

Hi Jason, Please remind us all what machine you have, and what tyres you have on the winter wheels ?

Sorry. I didn't mean call Adrian Flux on the phone; I meant the other companies. I would not be able to recommend Adrian Flux. AF did quote me for my 2006 Alphard, silly, and I mean silly price. Shop around. There is very little difference between a Vellfire and an Alphard. Those differences are mainly, if not all, cosmetic. Different grills, and maybe a lowered suspension and larger wheels. Get a quote for a Vellfire (from AF, if you must. The Vellfire is a more sporty (in marketing terms) version of an Alphard. (Same engine, same gearbox). Once you have that quote call around and negotiate. Someone will recognise the 2008 or later Alphard as the main brand of this vehicle. This problem should ease soon as there are plenty of Gen 2 vehicles 'on the water' journeying to the UK ! The Vellfire was only introduced in 2008, so you must have an early version. Did you find the page on this forum where other owners have recommended their insurance companies ?

I, and a lot of other owners, have discovered that Toyota dealers can be very huffy about imports. My local dealer is the Snows Group. They have several branches. I am going for mine this afternoon. See what happens. I only need my antifreeze concentration testing; but it is a sales opportunity for them to make some sales. But I will appreciate the peace of mind.

I guess this depends on how many people and bikes you need to carry. If you take the rear seats out you will have room for a rear kitchen or small bikes inside; and still four seats. With a rear kitchen and bikes outside you still have a very comfortable 4 seater. However, you will only be able to sleep two adults, and maybe one child across the rear (kitchen) bench seats (if you use the front seats down for sleeping). If you use the middle seats and rear bench seats for sleeping, you could have one child across the front seats Unless you go for a pop top; which offers many more permutations. Hopefully you can understand all this gibberish. Otherwise send me a PM. Of course, you can always consider a side kitchen which give far more storage, usually at the cost of a narrow sleeping area.

It's really nice, I have 2006 MZG V version with leather upholstery everywhere, which I am about to clean properly. Hopefully get it looking like new. Only needs the drivers squab and all the piping on the armrests. I just put a kitchen in mine and have ordered some fancy seat cushions. Nor slept in her yet. Waiting for my locking wheel nuts and rubber matting. (My never clean Collie just does not know how lucky he is). Having got the kitchen fitted ; storage is a real challenge; especially when camped overnight. I have included a fridge in the design, but will probably use a cooler instead. I enjoy the Project as much as the driving. I am aware of Stuart Spencer, he has nice vehicles on offer. I have been looking at another MZG he has.

Hi Catweazle, That steering wheel looks great, and I love those cushions. How are you getting on with the cargo net ? I fancied one then began to think it was too small; but yours looks perfect. Are those car seat covers I can see, or just an upholstery upgrade? I like the piping and the footrests. A very nice looking interior. One of the best I have seen. Thanks for the photos.

Sorry, it helps if I read the header ! So Gen1 or Gen 2 Do you know you model number ? Normally on the B pillar. AH....

Please remind me Ian, Do you have a late model Gen 1 or an early Gen 2 model. Gen 1 has an indented front wing, the Gen 2 has a smooth front wing. Is it a 2.4l , or 3.0l, or 3.5l

I thought you might find this really interesting. Looks easy, or intimidating; depending on your point of view !

Hello again Earl, I was just admiring your machine in your introduction post. I didn't notice the leather on your steering wheel has split. What a shame. Thanks for starting another thread with this topic. I have a lot of 'wood' trim in my MZG, but you have even more than me. I'm jealous, well not quite. I have some wear, nowhere as bad as yours, on my steering wheel; and I have just begun to look into having it repaired. It's not particularly good news. Apparently, special needles are required to redo leather steering wheels. The company I looked at needed the steering wheel removing too. What with air bags I don't really want to go there. What I think I know, is that you need a specialist leather upholsterer to do this well. What is the trim level on your vehicle. Is it an Alphard V or Alphard G, (on the tailgate) ?

Hi Earl, Welcome to this Forum.

Hello Steve, Welcome to this Forum and thanks for the tip.

My conversion did take a while. I ordered special maple veneer panels on a four week leadtime. Somebody screwed up the order, so I had to wait another 4 weeks. I am VERY pleased with it, although it stinks of the UV wood protection. Have just ordered the upholstery for it which should be ready just before Christmas. Need to sort bedding, storage and dog hammock, then all the bits and pieces we will need on a trip. Good luck with the wheels. I sense how important they are to you. I am fitting locking wheel nuts to mine next week.

80 foot pounds or 110 Newton metres. I haven't checked my rear reflectors yet. Only just got my Alphie back from conversion. I have a pre winter inspection appointment on Tuesday with my local Toyota dealer. I may ask them to fit my locking wheel nuts, if I have them by then.

Do Toyota GB know you have an Alphard ?

Hey Charlie, How are you doing ? Some time now, no speak. I got my beauty back from conversion a few days ago, starting to fit her out now. Alloy wheels in winter, and you do a ton of miles. You were going to buy some summer alloys. Presumably because you want to preserve your summer wheels, and avoid them getting 'salted'; maybe winter tyres too; hence looking at these. You need to check offsets. The wheels aren't even Toyota. Your original wheels will use flatheaded wheel nuts, what are the Hondas? Are they conical ? Is the stud pattern the same? PCD. Are the stud thread sizes the same? By very careful Charlie. If I were you I would buy some second hand Alphard wheels and tyres. That way all your geometry etc, should remain the same. The only thing between you and an accident are your wheels and tyres ! Good Luck, and be patient 2003 Honda CRV do have the same PCD and bolt size.

Phil raises a very important point for all our LPG readers. The further you get in the South West towards Land's End the more difficult finding LPG will be. The M5 motorway ends at Exeter; make sure you have plenty of LP beyond there. I do not know whether Exeter serviced have LPG. I expect they do, but..

We all extend our Welcome to you. This Forum is the place to be when you need you questions answered. Please ask any questions in the relevant section. Thanks.

Toyota direct.

Hi Henry, Welcome to this Forum, I am sure you will receive some replies. In the meantime, there are tools on the internet that allow you to input your wheel size and tyre size; and to input your intended (or hoped for) new sizes. These tools will advise you of changes to rolling diameter (affects your odometer and speedo). They also advise changes to the width and changes to the wheel clearance increases or decreases, wheel poke and inset. They are vehicle independent so do not advise you of changes to actual clearances within your wheelarches. tyre to chassis or suspension. They will inform you of any changes in vehicle height, and loss, or gain, to the clearance in vertical gap. Give it a go. Finally, any professional tyre outfit should be able to do all for you, and measure any actual changes after the new wheels and tyres are fitted. Tell your insurance company what changes have been made.

I have not received the appointment yet; but Toyota wrote to me. it's included in their latest marketing material "Toyota To You" I need to chase it. Have you registered your vehicle with your local Toyota dealer ?