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 

1 minute ago, Diran said:

I was told the head gasket is gone.

What mileage has it covered ?

Has it been over revved ?

1 minute ago, Diran said:

There is a paste around the oil filler cap. And it drives slower especially when going uphill and start jacking when I stop the car.

Sorry, but what does jacking when I stop the car mean ?

Are you using water ?

Any misfiring ?

3 minutes ago, WideCharlie said:

Hi again. Another quick query. I’m thinking of having a pop top installed by SC Conversions of Plymouth. I understand the floor of the pop top to be a number of boards (rather than a single base unit) which can slide a little to permit access to the top space. The question is, before I get it done, how does one get in and out of said roof space? Scrambling up and down off the seats? Carrying a mini ladder or similar? Or is it dead easy for anyone with even a modicum of rock climbing ability (that excludes me, of course)?

Any, or all of the above.

3 minutes ago, Diran said:

Thank you Picasso. It was over heating and was told the gasket is gone. 

Which gasket ?

If it is a head gasket there will probably be a milky substance in the oil filler cap.

You will be getting water from the exhaust pipe and using a lot of water as a result.

Explain what symptoms you are experiencing.

3 hours ago, Diran said:

Thank you very much.  I will contact him

When I checked Geralt's link above there were two more engines available, from different sources, at a lower cost.

It will be important, if possible, to discover the history of any engine you are considering.

A business seller should be able to offer a warranty.

9 hours ago, Tonyfly said:

Hi all, I have just bought a 2010 Alphard from a friend, which has done 72k miles.

The car was ok on the first 100 miles, then I found it jerks a few times as I drive off, at roundabout etc, but after drive off it runs ok.

I have then away for work for three weeks and car was left untouched and battery went flat on my return.

I have charged the battery up then went for a 100 mile trip, where it slipped on the way, engine would rev up, but speed will not go up.

I tried to stop and restart the engine, sometime it cured itself but only for a short time period.

I managed to get home like that and now car will not drive at all. Goes to drive ok but car is very difficult to go forward or backward.

Not sure how to check gearbox oil level?

Ground of where car is parked seems dry and no leak of gearbox oil found.

I am based in Milton Keynes,

Any help would be highly appriciated.

Hello Tony,

Welcome to the Forum.

4 hours ago, Selky said:

Hi there , wonder if anyone out there can help . I have a 2005 Alphard Petro l Auto ( 2.4) . The speedo and rev counter dials stopped working(rest is fine , including the mileage ) .  I have tried multiple garages and no-one seems to know how to resolve this. The van is otherwise working fine .  I even tried to source a replacement Dash as a last resort from Japan , but was unable to find a source.. Appreciate any help/advice on this one 

 

cheers 

Dave 

Hello Dave,

Welcome to the Forum.

47 minutes ago, Garryt007 said:

Toyota Vellfire 350G 2013 

Well, I finally picked up my first Toyota Vellfire, Pearl white, 350G 3.5 V6 with 63000 miles, the L package with executive additions of the captains chair's middle row with cooled and heated seats and arm controls. The interior is a very nice twin tone beige leather affair.

I have to say Naeem at the Japanese MPV Specialists at Uxbridge warrants a special mention, they were brilliant and Naeem extremely helpful, after me undertaking many visits to other importers of these fine cars, which proved a lot of very poor one's particular suspect practises, who I will be reporting to trading standards.

As the guidance on this forum I did my homework, and carried out Auto Check and Car VX car reports and as mine had been registered in UK since March 2023 a HPI as well. All were clear of any issues. I have the original auction report, the Japanese service book and manuals all I cannot read just the service dates and mileage that aligns with the Auto Reports.

I had the car AA inspected full report and only issue was the windscreen jets needed adjusting that is it. 

Japanese MPY Specialists did a full service with original Toyota parts, replaced all filters including pollen filters, and did a full underseal of the car. They even replaced the rear suspension bushes as just a matter of cause regardless because they have found on some cars this has been an issue.

I will look forward to meeting up with other Alphard and Vellfire members when the first gatherings and meets start to appear.

Thanks again to forum members who gave some very good advice.

 

Garry Taylor 

 

PS I did not pay the ticket price as after a short negotiation a fair and reasonable price was agreed and paid.  

 

     

I agree, Naeem, at Japanese MPV in Uxbridge, is very knowledgeable on Alphards.

Full disclosure.

I bought my MZ G there. I was so pleased with it I didn't even try to haggle on the price.

I would not hesitate to recommend his company, first class vehicles, very knowledgeable and courteous service.

2 hours ago, Picasso said:

hello guys just a bit of advice for you 3.0v6 owners i have been using 1ltr of oil  a week lot of smoke on start up so first thing to my mind was valve stem seals i have owned my 3.0 just over 2 years regular service every 5000 miles oil and filter change. no external leaks so why am i using so much oil . i have been to see a garage in coventry where i live he never done my servicing had that done by the garage i bought my alphard off . Answer to the oil comsumption is yes its burning it and i got smoke coming out of my dipstick when idling . i been told by my local garage its down to carbon deposits build up in my engine my engine has never been flushed oil comsumption is down to stuck piston rings to solve this i got to have several engine flushes which will free the piston rings and restore compression carbon build up is like concrete in the engine . so my advice is a engine flush on every oil change as this would have cost me £1000s and still might if this dont work.

Hello Lee,

So sorry to hear of your problem. Thanks for the advice.

What is your current total mileage ?

What fuel have you been using ?

These engine flushes you have to have are, I assume, the liquid decarbonisation fluids ?

Do you have an OBD ?  Are you, or have you been, running rich ?

31 minutes ago, Alison Rogers said:

Is it possible to get a new radio and sat nav fitted into our new-to-us Alphard? It’s a 53 plate hybrid converted to campervan. Any suggestions and hints welcome please 

Hello Alison,

Welcome to the Forum.

2 hours ago, BrianW said:

Hi team, waiting delivery of converted Toyota Alphard and trying to buy stuff I may need in advance. One thing confuses my small brain. How to fill the under slung water tank . What fittings are used both on van and at sites , and how do I know when tank is full ?

Hello Brian,

Welcome to the Forum

13 hours ago, TLWilliam said:

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll have to see what the insurance will come back to me with. But the Alphard is salvageable, and I don’t want a good family car to go to waste.

IMHO, it wouldn't hurt to start doing your research asap. Better prepared (to discuss) than not.

1 hour ago, Richyrich said:

Hi thanks , the site im struggling to find things ,were is the info i need ? As i would have done this at the start thanks in advance

Alphard Buy and Sell.

The entry in the list above your entry

1 hour ago, DzCan said:

Good day,

I'm replacing my 2008 Alphard anh20w head unit with an android stereo, my question is :

 

would the overhead back unit connect and therefore would be able to display images played from front head unit? 

 

Your help is highly appreciated.

thank you 

Hello Dz,

Welcome to the Forum

Hello William,

I have sent you a personal message with a suggestion of someone who may be able to help, or point you in the right direction.

I suggest you give them a call; they are not a million miles from you.

Perhaps you could visit them with a handful of photographs.

1 hour ago, Silversoul said:

Hi newby, i am purchasing a 2010 toyota vellfire and would like to keep the head unit,' it is a toyota 26061, are there any links to operating instructions, any sort of help would be great.

Thanks

Hello Terry,

Welcome to the Forum.

Ask the vendor for the Toyota Handbook.

They will be in Japanese, of course, but can be translated quite easily.

Have you checked the Technical section ?

4 hours ago, Richyrich said:

2.4 auto , new mot ,89,000 miles 2 keys , new brake pads september, no finance left ,bit of service,pop up roof, aw leisure conversion best offer as we need to get a crewcab sadly now

Hello Richard,

Welcome to the Forum.

Unfortunately your thread does not comply with the minimum required information content in a sales advert.

Please read the requirements in the Sales section policy and add the missing info.

Failure to do so within a day and your ad will be removed

NC500 mileage will not be high as many roads are little better then lanes with passing places.

It is all about scenery, not mpg.

Plan your fuel stops carefully, and you will need a loo on board.

52 minutes ago, Shorty0123 said:

Good morning alll, first time posting here, but have pestered many on an Alphard FB group.. 

 

I bought a lovely 3.5 20 series in december and i reinstated the factory radio as the Android auto unit that was already retro fitted cut a lot of functionally (camera/speakers) im quite happy with the original head unit, i have the 18 spkr system. Ive already installed a second compact active sub which has filled in a mid bass hole but tbh id like to swap out the front door 16x9 speakers for better units. In the japanese documentation ive found, the originals are listed as being 'mid range' units and i want full range down there in the doors... Im trying to ascertain if the factory speaker units have crossovers to cut the low frequency or whether the underseat 480w amp is doing the crossover part....if thats the case it preterbs me that theres not a full range high level output going to the front... Im rather hoping those door speakers have a crossover. Im driving my amplified sub from a rear full range high level amp output on the factory amp, it would be a loy easier if i could run any additional amps off the front soundstage then i wouldnt have to fanny around with the fader on the headunit and gain controls on the sub.

 

Obviously any better suggestions welcome... I have no interest in swapping out the headunit. 

 

Many thanks - Chris

Hello Chris,

Welcome to the Forum

12 minutes ago, darren1980 said:

He said to remove it all and use it as a manual cos it to expensive to fix I have found one on ebay second hand for 169.00 the I need to try and strip the door and see what happening it could just need clean and lub up I hope

Picasso provided a part number for a similar problem in the last few days.

Part was about 200 pounds. Not sure if that included the motor !

Good idea to have a look.