Rojie

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 !

Hello Dame, Welcome to the Forum.

Hi Norman, Welcome to the Forum.

Try Snows in Plymouth, or Toyota Direct (you'll need the part number first). Toyota/Alphard/epc.com or Picasso (who will need you VIN.

Hi Gavin, Welcome to the Forum. Search Awnings in the Forum. It's a popular topic. The search box is top right hand side of your home page. I am sure you will find members experience, and ingenuity, very interesting.

Normally, testing a battery 'under load' involves disconnecting the battery from the vehicle and attaching a shunt across the battery terminals. The shunt places a 'heavy load' on the battery for a short time. The longer the battery can maintain an acceptable voltage, the healthier it is. Did BBL Batteries do this test ? They probably had the equipment to. If so, I guess your battery is OK. 11.7V is low, indeed, it indicates your battery is down to about 25 percent charge. But, unless your voltmeter is across the battery terminals, any current flowing through any wiring will cause an inaccurate reading. Do you leave the fridge on ? An 85 amp/hr battery will supply your fridge for, in theory, 31 hours. Not that long if left on overnight. (Depends how often the compressor runs). BUT, and it's a big but. That would result in a totally flat battery. Batteries should not be discharged beyond 50 percent, if that. Having 85A/hr, rather than 75A/hr, capacity is helpful. So, what would I do ? I am unfamiliar with your new battery charger, I have a CTEK, but I would disconnect your leisure battery and charge it for a week with your smart charger. Check that your battery charger is suitable for your leisure battery technology first. Most batteries will hold their voltage (more correctly, charge) if not supplying current ! 14.7v is a very 'healthy' voltage but, if you are measuring that whilst the charger is connected and on, you are measuring the output of the charger, not the battery. My charger can read both, hopefully yours can too. For what is worth my leisure battery is 110A/hr, physically larger, but not located under a seat. It may also help if your battery and main load, the fridge, are closer physically and electrically together. The longer the wire run, the more chunky the wiring needs to be. Where is your split charger located ? Near the battery, or in the engine bay presumably. I doubt I can be any more help, that is assuming any of this is helpful at all.. Hopefully other members with off grid experience will offer suggestions.

Hello Babs, Welcome to the Forum. Happy Campharding.