OldWellhouse

8 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

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.

£400?  

I'm not sure of my tailgate opens fully but I just about fit under it so not been too bothered. 

Got the C rail fitted and a Faros II Air beam. Really happy with it so far. 

 I got one and it works really well. No draught and the dog cant get out between the wheels, but he does manage to get out behind the rear one. 

Anyone got a draught excluder for between the wheels when you have a side awning up? 

The inflatable types look expensive and I've not seen one that'll fit perfectly between the wheels. 

Post some pics of the connection if you can please. 

Hi, is booking still open to attend?

I was noseying at camper awnings on a site last week and one Alphie I saw seemed have a kador(?) strip that was longer than their c rail. It just overhanged a bit and the tunnel from van to tent was just squashed a bit. I dont know if that would lead to problems in bad weather but it looked fine. 

I'm getting tempted by the Mango Hexaway just now, it might be too big for my needs but it looks well smart. 

I saw someone trying to sell a gold one for £350 haha

15 hours ago, Jellybean said:

I would be inclined to get yours wrapped. Difficult to tell the difference from paint and can always be removed?

Is it long lasting enough? I read it can start peeling a the edges after a couple/few years.

How much do you reckon it would cost to get this lovely green done on the bottom half of the Alphie in the background? Or would the silver top half need redoing as well?

I can't afford it but I just wanna know so I can seethe about it. 

 

I noticed a couple of mine are missing on my rear wheel arch. Have you found the right ones yet? The range of clips available is vast. 

1 hour ago, Neil Prestwich said:

Many thanks for your message. I take it you don't fit or supply and fit these anymore?

1 hour ago, Neil Prestwich said:

Many thanks for your message. I take it you don't fit or supply and fit these anymore?

Just going off what I found since buying an Alphie a few months ago and researching it. 

Custom brackets are needed so this increases price considerably. Also where you can get it done. 

They dont do standard fitting kits like they do for more common vans so it means somewhere fabricating the parts and it seems they dont want to share these parts when they can charge more for installation, which is fair enough. I tried getting in contact with Fiamma of Italy but couldn't get past the UK suppliers who only import the parts and have no influence. 

good luck with it and please post how you get on for others. 

53 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Looks very impressive.

 

Is there any figured wood (actually plastic) trim for the dash etc.

That would be really keen.

 

I look forward to seeing the completed model; maybe a winter pastime for me too.

No wood effect decals sadly but it only 1/24 scale so some dabs of brown paint will hopefully do the job when it's also inside the cabin. Gonna try and make it as faithful to my van as possible though. 

edit: the VW 1/16 scale I did took me 3 years so this won't be a fast thread haha 

Looks to be straightforward enough, but it's gonna take me a while to suss out how to give it a pop top roof like mine and maybe even the side conversion on the inside. 

Updates to follow. 

19 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

Looks interesting.

 

Let us all know how you get on.

There seems to be all versions of the Alphard available from various kit makers. I previously made a VW bus kit and it turned out ok, but this could be harder. 

Anyone on here built one already? 

On 7/1/2022 at 7:41 PM, Gareth Marchant said:

Hi Tony

 

I am just about to bit the bullet on a conversion which has underslung tanks. All new to me so forgive the possibly dim question  - where/how do you fill the fresh water tank? 

Mine is a wellhouse conversion and it fills from a filler cap in the side of the passenger seat base in to a 35l tank. That gets pumped to the sink and then to a 35l waste tank on the other side. That is emptied by a tap under it, plus another drain to the sink if it gets blocked. 

I've never dared to drive with either full. 

I always assumed there was another C channel on the inside of it and a Kador strip joins to another C channel on the roof, closing the draft. Never seen open up close though. 

How did you fix it to your Alphie, or did you pay a company to do it?

3 hours ago, Gareth Marchant said:

Thanks. We were originally thinking of a camper for next year even though we are able to bring that forward, so the lead times might not be a problem for us. But having read and heard how enthusiastic people are about their Alphards, it might get harder to wait!   

I only had mine a few months but I utterly love it, it fits my camping requirements perfectly and is pleasant to drive on nice scenic roads. No stress on the engine on steep lanes and mine is only the 2.4.  Good luck.

56 minutes ago, Gareth Marchant said:

I’ve just joined this forum and I’m in the much the same position as Eddie. On the research I have done so far and had a premises look at one conversion company, my list of companies to look more closely at are New Acre, NorthStar, New Dawn or Wellhouse. Even though I’m in Scotland I’m prepared to go further afield if the reputation for after sales care is really good, and from what I have read to date and corresponded with a few people, these ones all seem to get the thumbs up.  Calder is closer but looks a bit pricier, possibly the same with Wellhouse? 

I’m looking to get a side conversion, with pop top roof bed, 42” or 43” R&R with LPG, possibly fuel and habitation (although I think that would mean I couldn’t have the 4wd?)   Not sure whether to go 2.4L, 3.0L (or even the newer 3.5L) as yet.

Anyone have any views on the 2 companies I have mentioned in addition to Eddie? 

I think your decision might end up based on when they can fit you in, provided they dont have the spec you want ready to go. 

3 hours ago, Pritch said:

Looks great, my only question is if your fitting to the rubber strip, its obvs there for a reason, so by covering it up will this not affect something else, water run off ?

Most people I have sen/heard tend to suggest Silkaflex Glue and galvanised (wont rust) screws, and affix to the bodywork (like mine) but so its sits inside, the pop top when closed.

Personally, I would get an expert to fit it, but thats just me.

Good luck

It's a good question as to the purpose of the channel and rubber infill. I assumed there is a weld under it and it hides that join but not sure. I thought sika flex across the entire length of the channel insert would hold that pretty firm, but I'm not so sure the screws would hold well in just the rubber. Maybe need to use small bolts or rivets. 

If it makes you feel any better, I recently gambled on an '04 with no service history present and like you I knew it had a good service a few years ago, '17 in my case. I took it to a Toyota main dealership and it sailed through the service and safety inspection. It needed tracking done on one wheel and that was it. 

Good luck. 

I bought a van wellhouse did 5 years ago and it's still solid as a rock. I dont know what their seat and unit finishes are now but from the little I've seen, Northstar do better looking seats, I can't speak for the rest of their conversion bits.

All 3 are quality so if it were me I'd go with the cheapest that has everything I want. 

Quote

 

14 hours ago, starider said:

Hi, our camper has a side kitchen so unable[unless major construction]. I just feel that as the rest of the conversion is good, why the need to fit the cheapest parts?

If I was asked to pass comment on the company and their workmanship,I would praise the overall work done, but fail to understand penny pinching.It's cost us around £100 to  achieve a satisfactory finish.

Squeezing every last penny of profit. Why use an £8 catch or hinge when a £1.20 one will 'do'. I find higher quality ironmongery makes a huge difference. 

I dont convert vans btw, just some joinery experience.