Rojie

Good Morning, Nigel and Flower, My normal suggestion for part sis to try your local Toyota dealer or Toyota Direct. There is a good chance that your dealer will be rather huffy about grey imports and won't be helpful; but they might. My local dealer is very helpful. The key problem is getting the correct part number. ToyotaAlphardEPC.com is the place to look. There is another website that uses the vehicle VIN as identified by Picasso. I'll try and find that link for you both. My own view on eBay is it is rather iffy. I would not want to save a few pounds and risk my engine.

Hi Nov, Were these OK. Mine didn't fit. Did you need to modify the lamp socket or force the leds into it ? The black part has a shoulder that prevented me from pushing the new unit into the socket. The supplier has given the option of some replacements, but so many to choose from ! I was able to test the supply to the wiring, which is OK.

Hi Sparkie, These middle seats won't fit my middle row. Actually, the smaller on will, but the larger one won't. The seat rail spacing is too wide.

OK Melly, I suppose you'd like to know where the fuses are. Checking my Owners Manual, published by JPNZ (which highly recommended by myself) and available to buy on the internet, there are two 30A fuses for the doors. Door 1 fuse is fuse 3 in the small fuse box in the engine bay The other fuse is fuse 11 in the fuse box behind/underneath the passenger glove box (which is very easy to remove). I am assuming these are for the power doors. Which fuse is for which door isn't clear. However, according to the manual, there is a 10A fuse labelled Gauge, which is for "Engine computer, power slide door, clearance sonor and back sonor. It should be obvious if this one has blown ! Hopefully this more helpful than confusing.

Hello Melly, Welcome to the Forum. How long did you disconnect the battery for ? Which door is faulty? Offside or nearside? Have you checked the fuses. Two electric doors means two fuses !

I await your photos with interest. I could be interested in the middle row, but not the rears, assuming they both swivel !

Hi Chris, This looks promising functionally, if not rather ugly ! But does demonstrate why we are being so fussy. I happened to have spoken with (my) MOT Inspector today. He does check for retroreflectors. His advice, for my situation, is to buy some small stick on motorcycle lenses. There are no minimum sizes stipulated, so, the smaller the better ! I am really disappointed that the 'tidy' RDN Type 1 may not be acceptable; but motorcycle ones are OK. He also stated he would not have a problem with reflectors mounted on mud flaps.

Hi Gerry, Not really, I have seen photos of a few vehicles with the centre console removed. Then a panel is fitted that is about two inches high, from the level of the floor. I believe the panel is needed to cover / protect the 100v invertor. I don't recall seeing any switches (or 100v outlets) on the new lower panels but probably could be done. Is your vehicle 2003 (in your thread) or 2007 (in your profile) ? The other issue, to consider, is that the swivels tend to add height to the seat, which can be an issue if you have tall passengers !

Hi Chris, RDN Japan have sent this reply ! Thank you for contacting us! I was not able to confirm that unfortunately. These are for JDM market or off-road use only. In itself, this doesn't mean they are not OK, but it makes a £100 investment look very risky. There must be a convertor / importer somewhere in the UK that has a solution to this ! Search continues, time to buy some mud flaps as I am running out of time.

Hi Arthur, It may be OK but you will need to be messing with the wiring, won't you. The fog light will still need a switch on the dash, and wiring to the tailgate If you are comfortable with that OK. From memory, it would need to be the offside reversing light However, my guess is an MOT Inspector will expect a reversing light to be white, not red. Having a red bulb in a white lens, in my opinion, is a fail. ps I have not re read the regs before answering this.

I'm also prepared to pay the premium. The ones in the photo do not look as long and slim as those fitted to my van. But, they do have my van listed. I think they ill be fine, but don't want to 'waste' a £100 or so. As my MOT is not too far away, I hope to make a purchase decision very soon. Do you have any experience of fitting rear lights / reflectors ? Is it easy ?

Hi Stuart, Starider is the expert on that topic, as that is the approach he has taken. Chris.ac and I are trying to pursue a solution where we fit a unit into the bumper, as per the original reflectors. The solution will incorporate rear reflectors, a legal requirement, and rear fog lights, a legal requirement. There is no requirement that they are integrated together, but that approach offers a neat implementation. The unit we are looking at could also be used for rear lights or brake lights. I can't remember whether it offers reversing lights. As far as I am aware, reflectors on mud flaps do meet the MOT requirement. You can read the requirements on DVLA, if you wish. DVLA mention correct positioning, they do not mention mudflaps as I recall. The beauty of the mud flap approach is there are no wiring complications.

Welcome to the Forum. You may like to try Scenic, which is part of LV. They have a sister company too, who's name escapes me, (but you could ask them Scenic) if they are unable to help you. There is also a thread on here with a list of Insurance companies you may try. There is a tab Insurance at the top left of this page, perhaps you could try that as a start.

The good news is I heard back from RDN in Japan. Unfortunately they didn't confirm, or otherwise, that the lights have reflectors. I have re written to them, hopefully with a more clear and precise request ! Fingers crossed.

Hi nigel, We still don't know what engine you have ! V6 or 4cylinder ?

Hi Jeff, Welcome to the Forum.

RDN do appear to ship / export to the UK, but it is £25 ! There were three options. I can't remember what they were, DHL etc with delivery just a few days later. I think there is no UK duty. I'll have to check that. Although what you have discovered is close to a panacea, my guess is, they will be too expensive for many club members; but who knows ! I'll let you know when I hear back from RDN.

Hi Chris, My MOT is due in mid March, so l will probably book her in for Mid to late Feb. When is yours due ?

I have written to RDN to try to confirm the rear light units do have reflectors. There is a note that they have used generic photos, so thought I would check ! Although there is no dimensional info (that I could find) my Alphard model is quoted in the listing for applicable vehicles. Is yours ? They are expensive, but if they provide a 'tidy' solution I will invest in a set. I'll keep you updated.

Hi Starider, What colour are they ?

Firstly Chris, I commend you yet again; for sifting through huge amounts of product / info to help us fellow members. I have warned folks about many of the 'reflectors' on ebay for not being reflectors. At first glance these lenses seem to be in 'two parts' or segments. This is very encouraging. All units I have found. so far, with wiring emanating from the assembly, have been lights without reflectors. These look like they may be our answer. At £75 (ish) they are expensive, but if they fit the bill, lights and reflectors, I will make a purchase. I have an itchy finger too. I am going to check these very carefully before making a purchase; but I am hopeful. My guess is these do not have the correct marking, but I am splitting hairs, and I doubt ANY Mot Inspectors check at that level of detail. Reading the details "These items are designed to replace the factory rear bumper reflector setup. Superior quality LED bulbs and reflector design provide high quality illumination and reflection properties. Three layer construction provides a gorgeous shine whether acting as a reflector, on with small lamp or as a brake lamp. Add a great touch of safety, style and sports to the rear end of the vehicle with this kit. Get this and all your JDM at RHDJapan!! These DO appear to meet our needs. They also, according to the Blurb fit my vehicle (and many others). More checks tomorrow. Fingers crossed !

Approach angles ? Without researching the specifications, my view is the approach angle is not the issue. What may be the issue is what front spoiler, valance, aim dam is fitted to your target vehicle. If you are planning to negotiate pot holes, ditches, etc, I respectfully suggest you are looking at an unsuitable vehicle in an Alphard or Vellfire. These vehicles are MPV limousines. They are not intended to deal with rough terrain. I have a steep drive; and cannot get mine on it. I could get a different vehicle but the Alphie provides me with what I need. If your vehicle has been lowered, it can be raised; but it isn't cheap; and you may need new wheels and tyres. Not cheap at all. I measured the rear clearance on mine recently and (I'm guessing, but will confirm tomorrow) it is significantly more than 160mm. Some Alphies, mine included, have self levelling suspension which will affect ground clearance too. There are other vehicles with higher ground clearance, perhaps you should consider one of those. (There are also many other (leisure) vehicles with a lower ground clearance than an Alphie. Proceed with caution. Be clear about your NEEDS, wants are secondary ! Good Luck with your search.

How much ground clearance will you have if you buy your favourite model ? How much clearance will you need. The earlier models tend to have more ground clearance; as the later models tend to have trendy lower front valances / air dams. Tired front springs will lower the front even further. What mileage has your vehicle covered ? Just a silly note, food for thought, these machines are not off roaders, even the 4 x 4s, and they are heavy ! I think I measured the clearance mid way down the body, between the wheel centres, of mine as 160mm. Are you thinking side conversion or rear ?

I made enquires with SGS, as linked above. I note they can regas your units, upgrade them, or supply new replacements. I received a very courteous reply requesting dimensional details and attachment type. I have not, yet, followed my enquiry through to purchase. Spring expenditure ! If you have a power tailgate check for slack in the lifting/leverage mechanism too. Mine was quite slack.

Hello Jellybean. There is nothing wrong with your idea BUT I have been trying to find replacements for my rear fog lights which were fitted by the importer in the rear valance. To pass an MOT you need at least one fog light and two reflectors. The problem you face, is the same as I do, that most of the items available on ebay are not reflectors. The descriptions are often extremely misleading, and are certainly ambiguous. I have learnt the descriptions mean the units fit where the original reflectors fit, they do not mean they contain reflectors ! I have written to many suppliers, although most of the units are made by the same company, and most supplies don't reply to confirm they are reflective. I have not tried to remove my fog li/ screw attachment. If you find any fog lights that fit the reflector openings, and they do contain reflectors, please let me know. As I am satisfied with my rear fog lights, I face three options for the reflectors. Either ignore the issue and hope the MOT inspector does not 'look too carefully' Fit mud flaps and put reflectors on them. Stick, or bolt, reflectors to the tailgate or rear valance. I have not decided what approach to take yet ! There are dimensional requirements for the placement of the reflectors, and any fog lights. Check the DVLA website for Guidance to MOT Inspectors.