Rojie

6 hours ago, Stewie said:

Hi 

I have a 2007 2..4 Alphard .

The cable that runs under the window were the door slides has snapped. 
Any thoughts, I can’t seem to find much information via YouTube etc 

Have you tried searching this Forum ?

The search box is on your home page. Trhs

1 hour ago, anotherdom said:

Good morning all, I yesterday collected a 2009 Vellfire Z - G Package from Warrington and brought him (Eddie) back to Suffolk. Eddie is replacing Gary, our 1999 Granvia. Second UK owner, looks like he was originally imported and sold through Colin Price cars and lived his first years in the UK in Ilfracombe, Devon. A few minor queries that I’m sure I’ll find the answers to in your forums - just fettling and largely as my Japanese is limited; he was good as gold on the drive down. Had to stop to dial in to a couple of meetings and was very comfortable in the back!

 

Dom.

Hello Dominic,

Welcome to the Forum

14 hours ago, Charlie Brown said:

Hello Chris

We would not be without our pop top. It gives ample headroom in the whole standing area when the bed is away. It makes cooking, changing clothes and just moving around so much more convenient. We also use some of the space for storage when we are camped up. When the pop top is stowed away our van is 1970 mm high at its highest point.

hope this helps.

While walking my dog  yesterday I  inspected the barrier more closely, and checked the height of the local beach car park entrance.

In large lettering it was written 2 Meters, and in much smaller lettering 1.98m !

That would leave you only 1 cm !

Too close for me.

Then, you notice all the damage to the barrier, and wonder how accurate the dimension remains.

I recall the first time I took my Alphie through and peering very nervously through the moon roof.

26 minutes ago, wjvh said:

Still got this big ol rig, nearly 2 years, it’s been brilliant. Can swallow a classic motorbike whole too!

 

Happy Anniversary !

2 hours ago, Amicipat said:

Garage from where I purchased 2004 3 litre Alphard installed older model replacement radio. i phone bluetooth etc do not work however I have managed to set up its sat nav with one problem in that I cannot hear sat nav because the radio is on and cannot hear radio as sat nav is on!  Any help please.

NorthStar may be able to help.

They are on the Isle.

6 minutes ago, Ian Thomson said:

I would like to fit swivel plates to front two seats on 2006 Alphard? Any one does this and also knows where they can be bought.

Hello Ian,

Quite a task.

There are universal plates available.

I believe they are designed for (sorry, heresy) VWs.

I have also heard they don't fit an Alphie.

One of the conversion companies can do an installation, they do not supply the plates.

I believe you have to lose the centre console to allow them to swivel.

I am pretty sure I am thinking of NorthStar on the IOW.

Their upgrade is not inexpensive.

Unless you go with NorthStar, please consider the safety aspects carefully before attempting any DIY solution.

7 hours ago, aquanuke said:

Im considering purchasing an JDM Alphard really as my first actual specific camper car. Im not overly wowed at whats available from VW on a budget mostly rotten ones and Ive owned in the past a Lexus SC430 and Landcruiser Prado so appreciated the Toyota build quality. 

 

There will be 3 of us, me wifey and our 4 year old we are not that tall 5,8 ish. I know we would never actually sleep in the pop top but just thought it would be very small even claustrophobic feeling without the pop top. It seems a big expense plus could also be an expense maintaining. If you have a pop top whats your thoughts on them?  

 

Also without a pop top means we could carry stuff on the roof. We are planning longer trips in Europe and its would we be better with a pop top or not.

 

Also I can't find this info on the net, how high is the standing room inside at the middle or by where a side kitchen sink area is. Can you stand there ok?

Hello Chris,

Welcome to the Forum.

I don't have a pop top, but did consider one once.

I decided against it on the basis of access to car parks.

Where I live many car parks are height restricted to 2 metres.

Many coastal car parks are the same.

As an ex-Spanish resident, I don't recall there being any height restrictions in Spanish coastal areas.

Food for thought

11 hours ago, Eddie Dawson said:

Have e mailed them 3 times with no response

Be patient, he will.

Hello Peter,

Welcome to the Forum.

I doubt that light has anything to do the battery change.

56 minutes ago, Sparky said:

Could anybody tell me what the little on/off black switch operates, that is on the rear left hand side of the centre consul (between the front seats)?

Also is it all possible to replace bulbs if they have them on any of the dashboard control switches ie: sliding doors ?

Thank you.

Hi John,

Without a photo, I think it must be the auxiallry 110v outlet switch.

2 hours ago, dc_alphard said:

Hi all,

 

Just bought my Toyota Alphard 2.4L Petrol Automatic this weekend and I absolutely love it.

 

Look forward to adding bits and pieces on the way and getting out and about. Already started playing around with the seat config to set the bedding up.

IMG_5506.mov  

 

IMG_5506.mov  

 

 

All the best!

Hi martin,

Welcome to the Forum

13 hours ago, Babu said:

Hello.

Just put a deposit down for a 2008 Alphard 3.5L, 4WD, L-Package with the electric recliners.

 

Very happy with it, as car is low mileage, in good condition and has all the nice options. Getting it checked out by a mechanic next week and hoping it will be all good news.

 

Looking forward to being a part of the Alphard club.

Hello Ploppers,

Welcome to the Forum, and The Club.

14 hours ago, Phil Tivney said:

Good evening,

 

Thank you for allowing me to join the club.

I'm in the process of buying a Toyota Vellfire, 2009 camper conversion, and wonder if anyone can advise the best drive-away air awning to suit?

 

many thanks

 

Phil Tivney

Hello Phil,

Welcome to the Forum.

Drive away awnings are a very popular topic on the Forum.

Plenty for you to read up on.

Try searching for Awnings in the search box on your home page.

16 hours ago, RobDennis said:

Hi, I am new to this forum, I have recently purchased an alphard 2008 model, the original head set is still in the car. However it does not appear to be working at all (no power)?
I am living in Essex near London would really appreciate all of you fellow alphard owners giving me some tips please 

thank you kindly in advance 

 

Rob 

Hello Rob,

Welcome to the Forum.

14 minutes ago, NormanC said:

Hello. New member. Picking up our converted Alphard from Peterborough in a couple of weeks. 2005 model in white. Getting a swivel seat in Wolverhampton and a pop top in keighley! Hoping Funky Ram in Bristol will be able to attach fixings so that I can use an awning (getting awning brackets fitted has been the biggest challenge so far) - looking at the Direct 4x4 Expedition because it can have side and front panels but frankly would go for Fiamma or Thule if that is the only option. Anyway, that is the story so far - one of travelling the country to get the van just right! 

Hello Norman,

Welcome to the Forum.

1 hour ago, WAYNE Garner said:

For some reason i am unable to download any photos ! if anybody is interested please contact me by phone and i will gladly send photos via SMS.

 

KInd regards

 

W.Garner

Hello Wayne,

You should be able to drag and drop photos into your thread.

Just look for the paperclip in comment box. Bottom left.

• "Drag files here to attach, or choose files..."

8 hours ago, RXtoAL said:

Hi all, 

 

I bought my 2008 Vellfire a few weeks ago (circa 50,000 miles), and although it has been serviced once in the UK upon import I am looking to go full belt and braces before some long distance summer driving. 

 

I have contacted my local Toyota garage to price up a full service + extras -see below - the question is, A) Would you, or did you do something similar? B) what is overkill, and C) are these prices high? 

 

Full Major Service £468 INC VAT. 

 

Extras 

Gearbox oil change- £135.88 

Brake service – fluid changed and everything else checked and replaced if needed.- INC in Service
Alternator belt and water pump  - £1072.29

Spark plugs & ignition coils - £1450.27

Air conditioning service / re-gas- £130

 

Many thanks, 

Hi Sam,

Consider yourself lucky that your local Toyota dealer will service the car, many won't.

Service price seems reasonable, imho.

Good gearbox oil is not cheap, cost should include an oil filter too.

The  alternator belt and water pump cost seems high. Doesn't include cam belt as you don't have one.

My guess is you should not need chains, and it would be even more expensive

Regas sounds high too. depends what is included. Gas (only) should be 50 pounds or less; maybe cabin pollen filter too ?

Spark plugs are cheap, coils less so, but you only have four. Seems pricey.

Much of the work could be done elsewhere, unless you want to maintain a full Toyota Service History

On 1/26/2023 at 11:15 AM, devonia said:

Thanks for that - much appreciated. 

Further experimentation (limited by being outdoors and very cold)  - seems to show that my Alphard draws nearly half an amp when all locked up (only the bonnet open).   Which MUST be something wrong.  I'll start a different thread on that one, if that's OK?  

Of course it's OK.

500ma at 12v is 'only' 6watts.

I believe a member recently pointed out that the head unit is live 24/7 to maintain memory, etc.

25 minutes ago, ThuMentaliss said:

Great Rojie! Must be nice to have friends who are in a situation that they can order a new Mercedes or Rolls Royce 😁 however do get your point ...incidently I never mentioned the MOT issue in my post completely separate issue, in my day one could loose their MOT licence by refusing to carry out an MOT without a very valid reason.

My friend is just that, a life-long friend.

Without sounding too draconian; I agree with the notion that MOT stations should not be allowed to refuse to test (without an exceptional reason).

1 hour ago, Teddy said:

I think the answer might be no as I haven’t found any for sale as yet. We want a 5 seater but with room to convert to a campervan with facilities, hence the requirement for 3 front seats.

 

Thanks for your help.

Hello Teddy,

Welcome to the Forum.

There are several seating alternatives with Alphards.

Three front seats is not one of them..

You should look at an eight seater with middle row swivel seating.

The rearmost seating is removal, making room for a rear conversion.

Most side conversions loose 6 seats and replace them with an R and R bed (which does replace two seats).

Enjoy your search

8 hours ago, ThuMentaliss said:

The truth is Rojie that garages run by astute business people are only really interested in servicing vehicles that their workforce are familiar with, time is money if their Mechanic's have done their training/ apprenticeships etc they should be qualified enough to engage most problems that may occur on any Toyota, but it's the Boss who pays the mechanics time when I ran several franchised Dealerships the profit came from the Mechanic being able to do the work without having to constantly referring to the vehicle's training guide

  The majority of people that have purchased vehicles that are over fifteen years old will not find today's Mechanics fully versed on imported vehicles that were never sold within Europe

I take your point about profit and older vehicles; unfamiliarity, and fear of the unknown, but declining to perform an MOT ?

The situation reminds me of a very good friend of mine who, some years ago, attended a Mercedes Dealership to buy a new Mercedes Benz

They judged the book by its cover, which wasn't presented as well as it might have been that day.

They treated him poorly and he left.

The following day, he visited his local Rolls Royce dealership; and ordered the latest new model.

As a cash customer, he was offered a courtesy car for the duration of the delivery lead-time.

With all the customer specified 'options' the Rolls took some few weeks to be delivered (literally).

His first trip was to the Mercedes Benz dealership where he discretely parked his latest model (RR) obstructing the main entrance.

He was surprised how long it took Reception to request, over the Tannoy, "Would the owner of (registration, not marque) please come to Reception.

I recently went with my life-long to another MB dealership to buy a new MB !

All was going well, the sales person thought, until my friend was reminded of his prior experience at a MB Dealership.

So, due to their short-sightedness, and expectation of appearance, the MB supply chain lost the sale of two new vehicles and the ongoing servicing revenue over several years.

One thing my friend had learned conducting his own business was that "No Revenue delivers No Profit".

So. Rant over.

3 hours ago, Blimp 8801 said:

Hi out there 

are there any mechanics in the caterham area that can deal with problems that may my arise in the future. I’m fine at the moment just passed mot just thinking ahead just in case 

If so, please contact me, my arthritis is playing up again, and my mot is coming up soon.

On 1/13/2023 at 4:42 PM, Fab said:

Hi there, 

I went to a toytec garage where I have been advised that they cannot do mot/service on my car because their engine management SW is not suitable for my imported vehicle.

I am looking then for a garage that can perform a MOT and Service to my Alphard Vellfire near Coulsdon CR5. Any recommendation is welcome. Thanks in advance

Fab

I don't understand this 'cannot do mot' attitude.

If they choose not to perform a service, because they don't have the experience, the parts or the tools I understand.

Buy not being able to perform an mot ?

My guess is that they don't want to do the mot in case it fails, and you would require them to do the work.

I doubt the fumes, or noise, emitted by a Japanese vehicle are any different to those of a European vehicle.

Perhaps Picasso can comment please.

I would be surprised if any (MOT) garage cannot do the test. Will not, maybe, cannot, no.

1 hour ago, Jenny Paget said:

That would be great - thank you, I didn't realise there was a sales section. Thanks for your help.

Hello Jenny,

I have moved it for you.

There are rules for selling regarding the minimum information you must provide.

Please read the sales section(s) and add your information.

It's free, so good luck.

25 minutes ago, Jenny Paget said:

Hi all, hoping you can help.

 

I've had my Alphard for just over a year and my dad semi-converted this for me, however I am not getting the use of it that I had hoped so am looking to sale this on. It was bought from a reputable import dealer who has offered to try and sale this for me but I'd rather sell privately if I can.

 

May thanks,

 

Jenny

Hello Jenny,

Welcome to the Forum.

Would you like me to move this to the sales section ?