The new wheel offset should be extremely close to the offset of the old wheel.

Not being so is likely to be potentially dangerous, possibly illegal, and a point your insurance company will not be happy about at best !

Thank you for adding the mileage, as requested.

5 hours ago, George said:

My Alphard has failed its mot, Toyota are saying they dont make the front headlight covers or the windscreen jets  anymore for a 2003 Alphard Hybrid. Any ideas

Also it needs new drop links, Toyota are quoting £470, is this an ok price

I expect you'll get a response from Picasso on this.

I can't believe the windscreen jets cannot be bought from somewhere.

Have you tried Alibaba or Amayama ?

3 hours ago, Ajn stagsfan said:

Hi everyone  new to alphard ,never heard of them till my boss had a new transit kitted out at wellhouse barnsley. I saw a converted alphard and wanted one instantly,ichose a 2008 black imported (gen 10 ) 8 seater Aug 2023 59000 miles.i look on this forum and have changed stereo for android also have fitted cruise , all with advice from  the forum.car runs and drives beautifully.so high to all members I'm not a prolific topic answering techno fobe,just nosy

Hello Andrew,

Welcome to the Forum.

A gallon a week does not surprise me at all.

I probably would get the same, or even more as I live about 500m from the sea !

It is difficult to get the humidity just right.

What is your target Relative Humidity ?

My only caution is not to dry the leather out, even more than the summer sun does.

Dehumidifying first and then feeding the leather are more important, to me, than the green algae.

I di have a sign of mould; we left an unwashed beaker in the van !

Anyone have any tips on how to gentle remove mould from the 'velvety' material used for the inside trim ?

Preferable a non bleach based product. Thanks.

14 minutes ago, Manxman said:

My Alphard needs a new home as I am no longer able to drive. Topsham import, and Andy's of Norfolk rear conversion. MOT December, 2023: no advisories. Cool box, external cables with European socket, internal thermal blinds, satnav and radio. Rear conversion never used, and very few miles over the past two years. Sensibly priced for quick sale, all ready for that first spring adventure. Reasonable, sensible offers also considered. Excellent condition: £8000 ono. Email: ace_coach@hotmail.com

Hello Richard,

Welcome to the Forum.

Unfortunately your thread does not include the distance covered (miles or kilometres) which is a mandatory requirement in this Forum Sales section.

Please add immediately or your thread be be hidden from view by the members.

I have had the same thought.

I would have the van facing into the prevailing winds and rain.

Additionally my van would be facing the 'wrong' way (regarding night time parking).

Parking on the other side would upset a neighbour !

The way I park now is easiest for my EHU connection for battery changing and dehumidifying.

19 hours ago, Auticka said:

Hi all 👋

New forum member here

 We’re British expats currently living and working in Malaysia since August 2023

 When we arrived here and started searching for a family car I noticed Alphard Vellfires are extremely popular with the locals, it looks like 10% of all cars here (with the exception of millions of Protons 😉) are Alphard or Vellfires.

 Our oldest teenage son is 6ft 4! Just needed something to fit his gangly long legs into, so we choose an Alphard V6 with middle row pilot seats, 2008 106km (65k miles). Nice clean very well looked after car. Only experienced a couple of issues in the last 6 months 

New battery. Had to also disconnect the wiring from the aftermarket brake pedal lock as it threw some issues with the start button. 

New HID bulbs, New Wipers,,, usual minor consumables 

 Taking it on a very long road trip around  the South and central Malaysia in the summer, fingers crossed there’s no issues 

Hello Alex,

Welcome to the Forum.

As Geralt says, a nice contact for UK members to have.

I'll send a list of the parts I need next week !

10 hours ago, Fiona Cooley said:

VANGO FAROS II AIR LOW DRIVE AWAY AWNING with drive away kit. For sale £250

Air beam awning in very good condition. Perfect space for table and chairs or an additional sleeping space. 

Selling because we've sold our Alphard for a larger van and the awning won't fit.

Hello Fiona,

Welcome to the Forum.

I'm temped; but I have a rear conversion so need to think about where to stow it when travelling.

My dog and compressor fridge occupy the middle seats !

2 hours ago, starider said:

Hi, The insurance premium on my Dacia shot up at the last renewal, after a lot of phoning around it transpired that older folks[well retired] can expect a large hike in premiums!! It appears old folks are bad drivers and a greater risk???? I,and many others see this as an excuse to grab more money from us pensioners.

Each day we witness the appalling driving of the majority of young drivers[many uninsured etc.]. This group are classed as a massive risk with premiums to match, so drive uninsured. Something needs to be done to curb these terrible drivers[male and female].

Many have parents who insure a vehicle for their offspring as a named driver which means they are insured if they are not the main driver[unless of course that no longer applies.

Would be interested in your comments.

The Insurance Companies are very aware of the named driver ruse.

Most companies will not allow the actual main driver to be a named driver. Terms and Conditions.

Using the ruse will, I believe, be fraudulent. Result for fibbing on your application/renewal could be no insurance and the inevitable ban !

Parents beware.

1 hour ago, nov said:

 

This is what you need

 

https://autocraftmotorcaravans.co.uk/product/toyota-alphard-passenger-swivel-seat-base/

 

used by most of the converters including Northstar.

 

If you need help with the fitting, New Dawn Conversions(Midlands) are selling and fitting these as well.

Have you got one fitted to you Alphie ? Not an unreasonable price, imho, for the convenience.

Does the console between the front seats need to be removed (to allow the rotation) ?

On vans I have seen, it does. 

But that also facilitates movement between front seats and the area without getting out of the vehicle.

Very useful if you have a rock and roll (no middle seats) configuration.

2 hours ago, starider said:

Hi, beginning to think about cleaning the camper ready for the coming season.  We live about 10miles from Bude and are subjected to salt laden winds from the various westerly coastal areas.

Our property faces South so we have sun all day, Our vehicles are parked East to West so one side has sun all day,thus the other side,after a time begins to collect green algea in various places,eg behind N/side mirrors etc.This algea washes off the main areas easily, but not in all the spaces such as where the side glass joins the bodywork. I mix a little wash and wax with a small amount of water and go round all these areas and any that a normal wash/polish doesn't remove with a tooth brush[£1 for two, Waitrose].

A nice tip.

My Alphie faces east, so the passenger side gets the algae.

I knew about the tooth brush approach. I'll try wash and wax.

I also need to moisten my leather seats after a hot summer.

A small tip I have for everyone with leather upholstery is an old rag with a smidgen of polish and leave it under a seat ! Renew as and when.

Your can buy deodorisers that smell of leather but they are quite expensive.

45 minutes ago, WideCharlie said:

Michael, thank you. I’m currently wading through the literature and websites about awnings. Like everything else, there are pros and cons. I confess I’m not a natural under-canvas camper but I can see that awnings provide a great deal of extra space for storage and dining and so on. Research continues.

 

Paul, thank you. Your line of reasoning reflects our own. We opted for the rear conversion to preserve the second row of seats and to ensure that should we we be obliged to sleep in more or less the same space we would have sufficient room to avoid vicious elbows and knees during the night 😱

 

We’re fortunate in a way that I’m the only driver so won’t be forced to use the camper for things like shopping. We have a perfectly good car for such boring things. We have only ever intended to use the Alphard as an overnight campervan on established sites, and as a day van in areas like Dartmoor. So a pop top should suit us fine and my wife is more than nimble enough to scale the heights in pursuit of a decent night’s sleep. Standing headroom is a real bonus, I think.

 

Thanks again for the responses. 

Make sure, while doing your research, you ensure that any pop top you may have is compatible with an awning, and vice versa !

4 hours ago, philip klein said:

Hi, how do i get in touch with Adrian Flux.thank you in advance.Phil.

Google them.

22 hours ago, JP01 said:

Hi,

 

I have an a hybrid that has been sitting idle from Nov last year.  I have charged the 12v Aux battery.  It now will turn over, When you try to start it the ready light flashes but the egine does not attempt to turn over.   

The indication on teh head unit show one bar for the Hydrid battery charge.  Is this enough to start it?  Or is there something I have missed?

 

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

John.

Hello John,

Welcome to the Forum

On 1/31/2024 at 8:49 AM, bridget said:

Hi, I'm new to aphard ownership, 2010 and looking to set up for camping. I'd happily take these blinds. How much £ and would you post (I'm NW highlands Scotland so doubt I'd be able to pick up)

Hello Bridget,

Is you machine 02-08 or 2010 ?

8 hours ago, Dave Exmouth said:

One repairer said it will only happen again when you go over a sleeping policeman and I should look at just getting a splitter instead.

What machine do you have ?

02-08 or 2011 ?

1 hour ago, pipsyp said:

Hi All,

 

I have keyless but my vehicle never came with the smart fob.  I have an electric tailgate so trying to source a good condition one with the boot opening button if anyone happens to have one spare they might be prepared to part with.

 

I have looked on eBay but can't find much if anything.

 

Prepared to pay sensible money for it and cover P&P

 

Cheers

 

Paul

This is what they look like. ebay 265384052200

Unfortunately, this one is for vehicle with a manual tailgate !

14 minutes ago, TeddyBear said:

Hello Guys,

 

I trust you are well. I am trying to register new import Toyota Vellfire for our business and the NOVA online system is rejecting the Japanese VIN number format - ANH20-8XXXXX. saying "The Vehicle Identification Number you have entered is not in the correct format. Please amend your entry."

 

Do anyone have a way around this please? As its not letting me progress until i enter the correct format VIN.  Thank you 

I think you may have to follow a paper trail as your vehicle is a grey import.

Does your vehicle have an MOT yet ? You will need need one to register your vehicle.

16 hours ago, Lian said:

Thanks for the info. This seems to bare out what somebody has said in a Alphard Camper Facebook group. I may have to bite the bullet and replace all 4 tyres as they are all as imported, the rear ones were an advisory on the MOT.

Since you have to replace two tyres anyway, the additional cost is only for two (more) tyres.

You could keep one of the front as a new spare, if the condition is better than the spare you have.

54 minutes ago, Lian said:

Hi. I have a 2008 AH10 3.0 V MS 4WD Alphard that has had a Northstar rear conversion. I need new tyres on the back and on checking I have 235/50R17 96Y tyres on. When I checked the front ones they are 225/55R17 101Y tyres ( 225/55R17are specified by the manual for front and rear)! Would there be a particular reason for having different spec tyres on the front and rear? Should I change them all to the recommended spec front and rear? Bearing in mind that it has a rear conversion and we carry an inflatable awning and lots of other gear with us when we are away, should I go for XL tyres at the back? Anyone got any recommendations for good quality tyres that will wear well?

Sorry for all the questions.

Confused of Hampshire!

Hello Lian,

You could contact NorthStar and ask for their opinion.

I would fit the recommended size, but go XL.

XL will firm up the ride a little, but, imho, your Alphie will benefit from that.

I have read, that on the 4wd vehicles it is very advisable to keep all tyres the same size and roughly the same wear.

18 minutes ago, julianev said:

Absolutely gutted. The engineer's report has come back and it has been classified as a Category S: apparently it's £7.5K of damage. They are offering me £4K as replacement value ☹️ - I'm getting a second valuation.

I think you are absolutely right to get a second opinion.

That tail gate and rear cross member are key.

I'll send you a PM.

1 hour ago, Roy Ridden said:

I have just joined the club. Thanks for allowing me in., but I have not actually purchased my car YET. I used to own a  Bongo Camper conversion up until 2012. Now, well just let me say I am in a new life I am looking to gat another camper van. It is not viable to get or convert another Bongo. So I did some research & came up with the Alphard as being very viable. The next choice I have to make is if to have whether to have it converted or do the conversion myself. Advice would be welcome. I assume there are kits but what is available & from where.

Any advice would be appreciated  thank you Roy. 

Hello Roy,

Welcome to the Forum.

There are not many kits available.

I believe a place in Barnstaple supplies one.

And there are removable 'pods' available.

Are you going side conversion or rear conversion ?

There is a lot of work involved in the carpentry / converting, just cutting the plywood accurately is quite a challenge

If you want gas and electric available, than more skills are necessary.

As your vehicle will be a grey import, most official Toyota dealers will not work on it.

Make sure you have access to a capable mechanic that will; especially if you go hybrid.

Good Luck.

6 hours ago, WideCharlie said:

Thank you Roger. I’ll let my wife know. She has a good head for heights 😉

Hello Charlie,

Just one other point, which may not be relevant but could be vital.

A pop top will increase the height of the vehicle.

Obvious, I know.

But if Plymouth is like Torbay, or other coastal towns, that increase in height may just prevent you from entering any car parks with height restriction barriers.

Without a pop top, I have less than 5 cms, and that is assuming the barrier is at the height stated and is level !

I have a huge beach side car park near me, and many campers cannot enter it ! Everywhere else ? Double yellows !

I would agree with other members, think twice. However easy is it to climb up, as you get older  .......

Consider a tent, or an awning.

Awnings are not easy to get for Alphies, but many members have fabricated their own roofattachment rails.

Search for awnings, there's lots to read !

5 hours ago, Diran said:

I have taken it to few places but they won't touch it because it is an import. Do you know any garage that would do it ps?

Do you know which cylinder bank has the issue.

From the front of the engine bay; is it the near bank or far bank ?

This engine was also fitted to a Lexus.

Try and find a qualified Toyota Master Technician who has worked on Camry and Lexus cars

There is one in Bodmin; it might be worth giving him a call to see if he has any contacts near you.

There must be someone capable in The Midlands.

I'll find his name; I know it is a silly one !

DyerNostics, Toyota Specialist