Rojie

Hi Eddie, I have a 5 speed, and no complaints. Later models have a 6 speed . Quite a few 4 speeds get a LPG conversions, probably, imho, partly to do with fuel costs. If you plan on long journeys ? There is a thread on the Forum about fuel consumption. It's worth finding and reading before you make your final decision. Do you have a 2.4L now ? If so, you'll know the mpg as all Gen 1 2.4L had a four speed. According to my handbook you could expect 1km per litre improved consumption with the 2.4 (under manufacturer test conditions ! ). Of course, that depends on how you drive. The consumption thread concludes (in general) you get better mileage with E5 fuel.

The seatbelt warning may be a legal requirement in Japan.

Eightseater.blog.com provides a very good guide on the Gen 1 HDD unit, including adding and removing tracks from the HDD unit. Ade, I know you have a newer vehicle, but I suggest it's worth a read.

Hello Frank, Welcome to the Forum. It seems you have discovered most official Toyota Dealers are an huffy lot wrt Alphies which are grey imports. Some Toyota dealers will help. Snows in Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay, for example. It's worth phoning around. We have a member, Ldrego, who is relatively near you. Send him a PM, although..... He prefers contact through Youtube, Cuttothechase. There was also a recent thread on here regarding a local, to you, garage. So ? Try and use ToyotaAlphardepc.com to determine the correct part number. Be careful. You will need your option string (which probably begins PRxxx; to select the correct vehicle. Once you have the correct part number contact Toyota Direct. You will need the part number first. There is also a list of spare parts being collated in this Forum; but it is primarily for service parts. Good Luck.

Hello Nick, and Lin, Welcome to the Forum.

On the B pillar driver's side. Should be there with the VIN number. Coming back to the original topic. Your Insurance company needs to be aware of the conversion. They won't really care how many seats. Under normal circumstances they are easily removable and replaceable anyway ! The MOT Inspector will though. As I can't see any provision for a lap belt on those rear seats, my guess is they will assume they are for just two people. I have a JPNZ manual, which will tell me how many seats yours had specified as OEM. There is also, i believe, a decoding thread on here (somewhere), which does the same. Should you ever need to use the ToyotaAlphardEPC.com, you will need the Alpha string, to get part numbers (should you need them). Picasso has a way of looking at the spec of vans, by VIN number. If he asks for your VIN, it's OK to let him have it.

As Chris says, his price isn't unreasonable. As soon as you remove the head unit you will think it is an absolute Bargain !

This looks very much like your configuration. This may have been Steve's personal van. Whatever, it is noted as an eight seater; so there should be a lap belt somewhere for the third rear seat ! (Maybe not needed in Japan though).

Looking at this again, in less of a hurry, and you do appear to have a 2 3 2 configuration. There isn't much demand for rear seats as whatever conversion is made, side or rear, they usually fall victim ! Most go to the recycling centre or motor dismantler. I think Alphard Club did a topic on seat configurations. I'll try and find it. Meanwhile, my curiosity aroused, I still would like to know you option string. Mine is PFAQK G. Mine is listed as 7 seater. 2 Captains in front, 2 Captains in the middle and 2 huge luxurious full width ones in the rear !

I looked into the Odyssey ones. They appear very durable, bit the colour choice is (or was) limited. I used rubber flooring mat with the coin shaped pattern. Works well but is prone to tearing when cutting and leaving sharp 90 degree edges. In fact I have it fitted over my luxury carpets. Seats have to come out to cut slots for the seat rails. Care needed.

Just a quick word of caution. I bought some LED side lights for my Gen 1 facelift, to replace the blue lights fitted which I didn't like. There are so many to choose from. The ones I bought were Canbus types and did fit, JUST. They were quite loose in the holder. I was worried one could jiggle free. If they ever fall out inside the glass, oh boy, what fun. I didn't think I would ever get them out. So, Please be careful what you fit. Make sure they are a robust fit, and are well seated. Strangely, the ones I fitted appear blue, until you turn them on when they appear a very bright white. Please don't ask what I fitted, I have no idea now.

Hhhmmm ! Looks like a I made a mistake here. Your middle seats are definitely the one and a half plus one. You can see that the seat rails are unevenly spaced. They are evenly paced when the middle (two) seats are of the Captain variety and all four seats run on the same four seat rails. Clearly the one swivels, so the one and a half probably does too. I have removed your VIN number. I should have asked for the Alpha string eg. ABCDE); not the numeric one ! Sorry. Usually begins with a P. I still have me rear seats so I'll look into this some more, and come back to you. Did your rear seats fold up sideways to create a large loading area ?

Clearly, they don't want your business.

Hello John, Welcome to the Forum, Some of the early Gen 1 vans came with dividing curtains. So you may be able to source some parts. The rail is easy to source and attach to the roof lining. Otherwise Fuel Lagoon (amongst others) produces window blinds that fit on the outside of the windscreen and front doors. Depending on what you are trying to achieve they may fit the bill.

Sorry for the delay; I could not find the correct lead for the camera I used ! This front valance is MZ G Edition version.

OK Thanks. I need to test mine, I never have ! I believe my main reflectors were removed to fit rear fog lights (which are not reflective. I need to test the main light clusters for reflectivity. I hope they are, as it has been a worry for me.

Hello Nick, I think you will find DVLA do regard the vehicle as an MPV; irrespective od how many seats you have. I have heard that it has become very difficult to get DVLA to reclassify (any) vehicles. About a 5 percent success rate. I believe most replies will confirm the owners vehicle as MPV. Mine is; and it's the same year and engine as yours. The seats is an interesting issue. The large rear seats are 3 seaters ! If you have two single seats in the middle; you have a 7 seater. If you have (had) the 1 and a half seats plus 1, in the middle, you have an eight seater. You can also tell by the rear seat rails. 7 seaters have one less rail; as the middle and rear seats share all the same rails. If in doubt. send me your model number (I don't need the VIN). MNH10W xxxxxx

SL5W 30, SL5W 20, SL10W 30 OR SJ10W 30. 4.7L FOR V6, 4.3 FOR 2.4L, INCLUDING OIL FILTER From the JPNZ Owners Handbook.

No, but I'll get one tomorrow

Do you have an official Toyota Dealer locally. As your car is a grey import, probably, they won't be interested. But they might be. It's worth asking

I agree with Steve, That may be what is the required method in Japan. Here? You will fail your auto test ! I drive manuals and autos everyday. and have done for 35 years. IMHO, safely driving an auto involves keeping your left foot on the floor, which can be quite difficult for drivers used to driving manuals. Buying the manual before the car is, imho, an extremely sensible thing to do. Delivery is quick, unlike many new purchases. Safe Driving

Hi Nutty, Welcome to the Forum. I have them on mine, but I didn't fit them so I cannot help you there, sorry.

Hi MonsterS, 4.8.1. Presence, condition and operation You must inspect the 2 mandatory red rear reflectors that must be fitted. Rear reflectors are not required on vehicles not fitted with front and rear position lamps, or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are: only used during daylight hours, and not used at times of seriously reduced visibility Reflective tape is not an acceptable substitute for a rear reflector. Defect Category (a) Reflector defective or damaged: (i) by up to 50% of the reflecting surface (ii) by more than 50% of the reflecting surface Minor Major (b) Reflector: (i) not securely attached (ii) likely to become detached Minor Major I 'lifted' this directly from DVLA just now. My interpretation is that they are required. Are you able to clarify the position lamp clause please ? I believe it means tail lights.

Hello Ade, Welcome to the Forum. I have an earlier unit. To record a CD just play the CD. If the disk is not full, it will record the CD automatically. Yours is a later unit so this may not be applicable ! Good Luck.