Rojie

Hello David, Welcome to the Forum and Vellfire ownership.

Hello Leonie, Welcome to the Forum.

Hello Gerald, Just a word of caution here. Food for thought, based on my opinions. Firstly, I doubt any bench seat will have Type Approval. You may not care, but your Insurers almost certainly will ! Regarding no seat belts. Almost certainly an MOT fail. The MOT tester isn't interested in whether the seats are used for travelling, or not. All they care about is that 'correct' seatbelts are fitted and fully functional. Your current seats should have lap belts, the minimum requirement for rear facing seats. Your bench seat, in my opinion, would need them too. I would check with an official MOT tester before proceeding.

Sorry Alasdair, I had assumed you had an OEM Head Unit. However, it appears, the method woks independent of head unit. JPNZ page 14.

Thanks Chris, A VERY worthwhile piece of research

Which head unit do you have ? (Depending, perhaps, on the head unit you have). The autolocking can be (re-) configured through it. Have you bought the JPNZ Owners Manual yet ? Get one, they are a must for all Gen 1 owners. There are two versions available, one that includes the hybrid, and one that doesn't. An owner has just bought the normal version that is surplus, so is available on this Forum. Otherwise, they can be bought from ebay.

Hello Stewart, Welcome

Hello Rachael, Welcome to the Forum.

Hi Derek, It is refreshing to know that some dealers support their responsibilities as yours clearly has done.

hello Alan, Welcome to the Forum, and Vellfire ownership.

Hi Guys, The tailgate struts are not electric; not on the Gen 1 vehicles. I have a Gen 1 facelift, with electrically assisted tailgate. The struts are mechanical/pneumatic, not electric. The whole tailgate is electrically assisted through an electric motor in the rear nearside pillar. My MZ G Edition struts are type K. Good Luck

Hello Andy, Welcome to the Forum

Hello Graham. You won't believe it ! I have an MZ G Edition. Leather Captains chairs and very plush carpets. That's why he has his own heavy duty wide hammock, imported especially from California ! However, the rear area, that is the luxuriously carpeted kitchen area, is covered in very durable (removable) rubber from the B pillar rearwards Much easier to remove the mud ! The matting is even the same colour as the leather seating ! I am somewhat senior, in years, to you. I am also very OCD. So ? Pooch doesn't get to ride the wagon unless necessary. Why ? I said you wouldn't believe it ! He has is own car ! One dedicated to his walks on the beach and in the countryside. It is worth nothing. Every year it passes the MOT without any advisories ! Strange but true, every word. One VERY lucky (and well behaved) pooch.

Unlike you, we have a rear conversion. So our filthy wet muddy mutt gets to enter, and exit, only the nearside slider (for safety) and sit in his hammock type luxury accommodation ! Oh, and my wife stipulated that when seated in his hammock, he must be able to look out of both middle side windows so he can see all there is to see. Me? I'm just the chauffer !

Interested parties please note. These are from an eight seater. That larger one and a half middle seat will not fit in a seven seater; just in case you were wondering.

Hello Jim, Welcome to the Forum.

Maybe you need to check the tailgate hinges. If the hinges have 'stops' to limit the travel; then longer rods won't meet your needs anyway. That rear hatch is heavy ! I am not tall, but do need to be careful when stepping off a curb if the tailgate is open.

I doubt it. Most Japanese are quite short; so there was never a need. You may just need to renew the ones you have. The large letter is important, as that determines the 'load' the pneumatic rods can 'cope' with. They do get tired. They do come in different sizes. I know because I bought some from AliExpress, and they were incorrect. It was my mistake. I took a risk. Surprisingly, my local Toyota dealer was able to supply the correct type but at nearly 400 pounds the pair. I did find a UK company that offered to re-gas mine; but they had never done an Alphard before. They asked so many questions, I didn't proceed as I deemed it to risky. Good Luck with your search.

Do you have a key ? I think you will need one for a mechanical copy to be made. Ideally, it should be a Master. However, I am assuming you now have no key at all. I would be looking for an Auto Locksmith, and hope that they can help you. Good Luck, I have a feeling you'll need it.

Hello Thom, Welcome to the Forum

Hello Alan, Welcome to the Forum. Dealers ? Some are good, some are not. There are several dealers mentioned in this Forum for their 'quality and service'. Lots of reading to do ! The best conversion is the one that meets your needs and is within budget. The choices are very personal. There is a company in, or near, Barnstaple. You could start your search there. Funky Ram is a trade member of the Forum. The Gen 1 V6 has has a cam belt. However, it is a non-interference engine (which means the valves won't hit the pistons if only the cam belt fails). Other (common) engines use chains. Good luck in your search.

If the 140amp fuse was blown; something serious happened ! Probably reverse polarity of jump leads ! If not, something else failed big time. I'm afraid I think you need a visit by a very competent mobile auto electrician; or a flat bed to your garage. You probably know this, but, you should never tow an automatic transmission.

Hello Stephen, Welcome to the Forum. No it isn't normal for insurers to insist on a tracker. I think most Alphies/Vellfires have immobilisers fitted as standard; mine certainly does. Getting Insurance can be hit and miss but this thread has loads of feedback. Getting insurance for converted vans is more tricky; some insurers won't touch them. Lots of reading for you to do ! Good Luck.

Fit a new battery to the smart fob perhaps ?

I doubt the radar unit will be cheap, even if all the wiring is there !