Rojie

15 hours ago, Kerryn said:

Thanks for the input Rojie.

 

23k is to have one imported and then converted to our spec which is obviously going to be top money.

 

The problem with getting one already converted is with wanting a rear kitchen and 3.0 there are very few we would be interested in.

 

I have been in contact with Northstar. They haven't given an exact quote yet but it looks to be comfortably less than 9k which brings it all in at a price I would be happy with. I am also excited at the prospect of having it taylor converted.

 

It will be my main car and we will hopefully use it lots for 8 plus years so I need to make sure I make the right decisions now!

North Star are one of the best companies, just a little awkward to get to.

25 minutes ago, Bruno said:

I was trying to install a back up cam, jammed a wire from reverse light. After all the wiring the following problems appear,

1. reverse lights don’t work

2. Shift indicator not working 

3. Central doors lock would not unlock when i put to P

4. alternator has zero output( checked by a mechanic, he said usually has low output even it’s dead.

 

Driving is no problem. Transmission still doing right. Anyone know if i has shorted some wiring or just the alternator problem? 
Hoping anyone can help!

 

A long distance Hello to Bruno,

Welcome to the Forum.

28 minutes ago, Kerryn said:

If I was to go down the route of buying one from importer how do I choose which to use? I'm near Cambridge and don't really want to travel much more than 2 hours. There are lots in London but many won't have experience of alphards. Are there any recommended ones?

 

Pipsyp, you mentioned Stuart Spencer autos. They don't have anything suitable at the moment but do have alphards in stock. What made you choose them?

Picasso also recommends Stuart Spencer as his Alphie was bought there.

4 hours ago, pipsyp said:

Evening folks........

 

Be interested to hear your thoughts and recommendations (particularly the more seasoned Alphard owners of you).

 

My 2008 AH10 2.4 has always had an issue with the shift lock, in that it's never worked full stop.  Better than being stuck in P admittedly but in my case you can simply pull it in and out of P with the engine running and no foot on the brake.

 

I've had the dash apart today as I wanted to figure out how best to get it apart as I need to install a new DAB antenna following a windscreen change (a bloody pain of a job) and as far as I can tell......

 

The shift button wasn't broken (as is usually the case I lost the sod in the bowels of the dash putting the fascia trim back on lol)

 

The lever that the shift lock operates with moves freely and returns just fine on the spring.

 

Looking within the innards of the shifter....I can see that when the lever is operated that the catch that would lock the lever into P moves up and down as expected.  However in the lock position, it simply doesn't stop the lever being moved out of P.

 

I'm assuming that the park lock is likey normally activated off of the brake pedal and that likely this has failed and that perhaps someone as a cheap fix has broken the top section off of the lock mechanism so that it never locks.  I must confess I can't tell really by looking at it but the white catch definitely does not prevent the lever moving in and out of P.

 

My worry is that I have three kids, two on the younger side and whilst I rarely ever leave them in it, it does go through my mind that they could very easily put the vehicle into gear (or out of P) and that doesn't sit very well with me.

 

My thoughts are that I'm probably going to have to replace the selector unit if I'm ever going to get it working.  Just wondering if anyone else here has suffered the same fate/if it's a common issue and if just buying a used selector off eBay is the best thing to do.

 

Cheers.

 

Paul

Do your kids know about the foot brake?

Can they reach it ?

Still best to get it fixed.

6 hours ago, lesm said:

Hi anyone got a spare 9 inch radio Fascia knocking about,

Cheers

Les

Hello Les,

Welcome to the Forum

2 hours ago, Kerryn said:

We were originally going to buy an already converted one but that was going be £23k plus. 

 

We want a rear kitchen which is a bit cheaper so the whole conversion will come in at about £8k. That gives us a good budget for a base car so we should be able to get a really good, low miles example.

 

The temptation with this one was that it was near and available. I am really excited to get one as soon as possible to was rushing a bit!

I think you are back on the right track, pun intended.

You should be able to find a rear conversion for much less than 23k.

If you buy commercially the vendor must charge you 20% VAT.

If they are not VAT registered be wary.

So almost 4k to the Tax Man !

That sum will not be, realistically, recoverable.

A PopTop is likely to cost you 50% (at least) of your conversion budget.

I have a top quality rear conversion which ran to 4k approx; but VAT was not payable.

I think your budget is quite reasonable; just don't get carried away.

Unfortunately, as with everything nowadays, prices can be silly.

You will find, buried within the Forum, recommendations for most of the Top 10 converters.

Perhaps a call to enquire about trade-ins may be fruitful, albeit with the dreaded VAT.

I can wholeheartedly recommend a professional convertor that did my conversion.

He is a small business, and not required to be VAT registered, and has a lot of experience fitting poptops.

I do not have a poptop, but have witnessed his work with poptops on several occasions.

Downside, he is close to my location, hence not yours !

Good Luck on your quest to join the ranks of Alphard Campers.

Happy Camparding !

2 hours ago, Kerryn said:

Lots of great information there, thank you. I'm not now considering this one but I will definitely factor in the above for any more suitable ones that come up!

 

I do love forums for finding knowledgeable people who are willing share info and helps others. Thanks again all for you help and advice! I will post again if I find any other alphards and will eventually post about the process of getting the one I buy converted.

I think you have made a wise decision.

I did not want to list all my observations, as it would be so depressing.

Anyone notice the tail gate bottom edge has a foot long (at least) deformation.

The vehicle has not been well cared for.

1 hour ago, stopgapcat said:

I think there are probably better examples out there if you are prepared to travel a bit to get the right one. And things like the speedo conversion, rear fog light and under body treatment (they don't use salt on the roads in Japan in told) really ought to have been taken care of before you buy.

I agree wholeheartedly with this.

AND you should research the cost of conversion too; it may surprise you.

Pop Top installation does not come cheap !

It may be more economically, and less risky, to buy ready converted.

6 hours ago, Pjohn said:

As per title we're looking at buying an Alphard but would like to hire one for a few day's first, we are totally new to campers.

Can anyone recommend somewhere to hire? Preferably Central Scotland. 

Thanks

Hello Denis,

Welcome to the Forum.

3 hours ago, KevV6 said:

Hi all,

I have just taken delivery of my first Jap import, a 2010 Vellfire 350Z-G edition 4x4. Love it! The posts on here have been very helpful already, thank you

Kev

Hello Kevin,

Welcome to the Forum.

9 hours ago, SeanGDawson said:

No nothing at all

 

My vehicle does not have a dvd player and screen has been removed 

 

I have ordered a new unit which should be here tomorrow or Saturday as the buttons looked a bit shabby anyway. 

Can you post a photo of your head unit, please.

22 minutes ago, SeanGDawson said:

All the functions on the head unit work. There is no dvd as there is a pop top fitted.

 

Unit has been out to fit new LEDs on the switches as these were all out. These now work but non of the controls work on the heater/AC. 

The DVD should still play DVDs to the Sat Nav screen.

As the panel has been out, I am now thinking wire not connected, broken wire / connection, earth not connected /replaced.

Leds are normally ultra reliable. 

You may be in need of a new lower panel.

Do you have blower power, whether hot, cold or ambient ?

11 minutes ago, SeanGDawson said:

Have checked and double checked numerous times so think it's possible a fuse.

I hope it is But

Fuse 17, according to the Owners Manual, is AirCon and Audio.

If Audio works, and AirCon does not, that suggests the fuse is OK !

Referring to the manual again; I notice Fuse 14, 10A, is "PANEL. Switch illumination, air conditioner illumination."

So that fuse appears OK. BUT 10A seems a lot to me for illumination switches !

I'll contact Chris.ac tomorrow and ask him to read the thread.

9 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

I didn't look at the website !

 

Lyndsey is correct. Alphies with the sunroof and moonroof combination are not ideal for pop top conversions, if that is what you had in mind.

I could find out why if you need me to.

But they are OK for side and rear conversions.

 

I'll check DVLA again. Wasn't the oil leak in the suspension ?

Not the engine gearbox combination ?

 

It does say front of the engine too ! Sorry

 

I agree with Pete.

My V6 is bone dry.

Location of leak will make all the difference.

Top or Lower engine.

Oil leaks can be an MOT fail.

I'll take a look at the website now. Better late than never !

Do you have a 4 cylinder atm ? As your profile says you do !

14 minutes ago, Lanciaman said:

I'd be wary. Second photo looks like the rear door doesn't match paint wise... Missing button on the dash. OK, that's minor but if its representative of the care taken... 

 

No expert on camper conversions but I think i've read sunroof cars not ideal? Could be wrong. 

 

If local then have a look but any reservations then there's plenty out there.  An alphard specialist would be a better bet in my view. 

 

Best of luck. 

I didn't look at the website !

Lyndsey is correct. Alphies with the sunroof and moonroof combination are not ideal for pop top conversions, if that is what you had in mind.

But they are OK for side and rear conversions.

I'll check DVLA again. Wasn't the oil leak in the suspension ?

Not the engine gearbox combination ?

It does say front of the engine ! Sorry

48 minutes ago, SeanGDawson said:

There is audio and the steering wheel controls work. This has recently been replaced. 

 

By elimination, does the video of the DVD work ?

Does the HDD play audio. 

Can the radio be tuned into Radio 2,

Does the Sat Nav screen light up (it won't work in the UK).

Does the reverse and forward cameras work ?

I'm thinking there is no power to the lower panel.

Led power yes, but no switch power.

Have you had the lower panel out ?

20 minutes ago, SeanGDawson said:

The LEDs lights up when the lights are on but apart from that the whole unit is dead. No clock, sensors or power to the controls. 

That would cause me concern. So, no audio or steering wheel controls either ?

I don't remember encountering those symptoms on this forum before.

Did you buy privately ?

If not, you may have recourse to the seller. If so, don't delay. take it back.

IF, if, the fuse has blown, there will usually be a reason.

Replacing the fuse may be effective. I hope so.

Is the head unit the original OEM unit ?

The wiring behind the head unit is a real 'Rats Nest'. Not for the faint hearted (me, for example).

If you can read, and follow, circuit diagrams I feel sure you will find some helpful info on here.

Try searching Radio replacement, Head Unit replacement.

Good Luck, Sorry, but I think you may need it.

1 hour ago, Kerryn said:

Hi all

 

I am looking to buy an alphard to then convert into a camper. This one is fairly local to me so I am going to have a look:

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310022576807?sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&include-delivery-option=on&make=Toyota&model=Alphard&page=3&postcode=rg402ad&fromsra

 

The reg is bw07tsy

 

I have two questions:

 

It was imported in July and is now up for sale again which seems a bit strange. Does anyone on here know anything about it?

 

At its last mot it had a oil leek as a advisory, is this common on the 3.0 and is it anything to worry about?

 

Any comments are really appreciated.

 

Hello Kerryn,

Welcome to the Forum.

You could check the MOT History on the DVLA website.

It would appear some upcoming maintenance will be necessary.

Will all that work be completed prior to sale ?

So caution seems to be the order of the day.

These are general remarks and not specifically about the mentioned business.

They should apply to any commercial purchase, and most private ones too !

Japanese owners tend to take pride in their vehicles.

But not all do.

So, look at the auction sheet.

It has basic info, especially 'mileage' at the time of Auction; but not service history, the trim level, etc.

It is an encyclopedia of visual 'blemishes', and repairs, if any, can be assessed.

No auction sheet, and there MUST be one to enable export from Japan, would cause me to walk away.

Reluctance to show me the Auction sheet would raise suspicion.

I would always recommend a thorough vehicle inspection, by a competent qualified person, prior to a test drive (with Trade Plates).

Preferably one with experience of Alphards, and their weak points.

The AA / RAC provide, what is in my experience, an excellent service.

I would be unlikely to purchase any vehicle from any commercial outlet where warranties were 'ineffective'.

4 hours ago, SeanGDawson said:

Thank you Rojie, and does that protect the heating and ac controls

TBH, I don't know.

I referred to my copy of the JPNZ Owners Manual (which I recommend for all Gen 1 owners) to check for you.

Does your audio work correctly.

Do you get cold air, hot air, or no air  through the vents ?

There have been cases on the Forum where a flap valve has become stuck, thereby effecting the heating/cooling.

I am not an auto electrician, so cannot really advise.

I am hoping Chris.ac reads your thread as he is somewhat a wiring expert.

My guess would be the lighting of heating and ac controls will not be on the same circuit as the actual compressor and fan circuits.

(Which, maybe, would explain why the lighting is functional whilst the functions are not).

That fuse box is very difficult to get to, and fiddle with. Get replacement fuses before even thinking about removing any.

I have a distant recollection that they are micro fuses; not necessarily what your normal motor factor will have in stock!

1 hour ago, SeanGDawson said:

Hi, I have just purchased a 2003 3.0 V6. Is anyone able to advise which fuse is for the heating/AC controls under the head unit? I have done some reading an think it no17 from the passenger side fuse box. The problem is I don't want get it out for it to be the wrong one as the access is very tight. The heating/AC buttons light up when I put the lights on but there is no heating or AC when I press the buttons. The clock is also dead. Thank you in advance.

Fuse 17 is Air Conditioner and Audio. 10A.

8 hours ago, Michael Brown said:

Is that a 4 or 6 seater

4

11 minutes ago, Amicipat said:

Done

Unfortunately, not !

Or at least not showing yet if you did.

It is normally instant. Maybe you should try again, please.

I can do it for you, if you send me the details. Engine size, for example.

5 hours ago, Reeba said:

Hi all

New member and first time Alphard owner

I have a 2.4, 2004 Alphard and I would like to fit bigger, nicer looking wheels, not got a clue?? I don't want to make any modifications to have them fit.

Don't mind second hand as long as there good condition 

Where's the best place to buy.

Thanks

Hello Leigh,

Welcome to the Forum.

Before doing anything read up on wheel sizes and the effect on ride on this forum.

Next you need to decide what wheel tyre size combination to fit.

What size have you got fitted now ?

You ought to inform your insurance company too.

7 hours ago, Merlow2014 said:

Hi All, 

 

I have recently brought a 2012 Vellfire. I have just changed the low beam bulbs and I would like to look at changing the full beam and side light bulbs too. They look very yellow next to my new the new headlight bulbs. 

 

Can anyone help with how to access them so I can see what bulbs I am looking at? 

 

Thanks in advance. 😃

Hello Emily,

Welcome to the Forum.