John Harrison

Hi. My nephew has just found a split in his Vellfire 2.4 AH20. Can you recommend anywhere that might have a spare tank??? John Harrison. Wallasey.

I did see these, but you lose the reflectors then John H

Hi. After having my 08 2.4 AH20 VELLFIRE for about six months, I heard a rattling and the rear. The bracket of the after market fog light had rotted off! I decided flush fitted fog lights would be better. Trying to find them these days is awkward; not nzny people sell them. Looking on Ebay I spotted 2 x VW Transporter rear fog lights for £11 + postage. They looked just the job! When they arrived I was a bit disappointed. They were flush fitting, but to change a bulb, I had to unclip the whole unit! I thought to myself, how many times do yoj have to change a bulb in foglights??? I wanted them each side and fit them each side of the rear bumper. It was hard drilling into my Vellfire, so I made the holes smaller at first. After cutting one hole, I tried the light in. SHOCK, HORROR!!! The light stuck out about 1/4"; it was hitting the body frame! I had a quick think and decided to tap a dent into the body frame. I tried the light in, wired up and tried. Perfect! The only thing wrong was that water might get into the rear bumper where the lens clip was. I decided that if I wanted to change the bulb I could just peel the sealant off. I fitted the other and tried; great! I am very happy with thd job; after 3 years, no bulb change required, no leaks and a fairly good looking job! Photos make them look a bit tatty, as the car is absolutely filthy at the moment, after a visit to Wales and 300+ miles!!! (As you do in our vans!) I would recommend these light as a much better fix than the aftermarket bracket types. I don't think 2 x 1/4" dents and a bit of sealer is too much trouble to ask saving at least 40 quid for more expensive ones!!! They work well too! John Harrison. Wallasey. Merseyside. P.S. If you use 'Back to Black' on the sealer it stays shiny for ages! JBH.

Only a few pumps in Costco Liverpool and Tesco Bidston, Birkenhead. John Harrison. Wallasey.

Does anybody know if there is a lipstick on the 2.4 gearbox??? John Harrison. Wallasey.

Hi Katherin. Try 'JAP EURO CAR PARTS' japeurocarparts.co.uk. Good quality parts for most Jap cars. I have an 08 Vellfire. No problem for any parts there. Give them a try. John Harrison. Wallasey.

Hi. I have a 2008 AH20 Vellfire and last year I clipped one of those high angled kerbs in a Motorway Services; right down one side. I managed though a main Toyota Dealer to get the correct clips and thd correct diagram to show where the clips go! The only downside was that a bag of clips was around £50!!! The good nes is that all yhe side trim is on as it should be!!! I'm not sure about the AH10 model but it is worth an ask at the dealer first? Good luck John Harrison. WALLASEY.

I had a White Vellfire flash and wave at me in my Black Vellfire tonight. I had an Elgrand and a Honda Stepwagn flash at me yesterday. There seems to be more and more about in Wallasey and Birkenhead lately. It seems to be mainly male drivers who wave, but I have had one or two female drivers point and wave in the last 3 years I've had my AH20 Vellfire. Not being sexist but I think for a lot of women it's just a mode of transport to move things/kids, etc, rather than a type; think that's a male thing, although my sister can tell me all the different types of VW campers about like hers!!! As far as im concerned, KEEP WAVING!!!! John Harrison. Wallasey.

I have a 2.4 AH20 VELLFIRE. Normally I fill up at about 1/2 full as if you run it right down you are likely to pick up sediment from the tank bottom. I did actually run mine down last week. As I opened the filler, it gave a massive sigh! Used to gave that on one of my Chevettes years ago and someone told me to drill a 1/6th inch hole in the cap. I did and it seemed to run better! Sometimes before filling up it does seem to miss a beat or have a little wobble on occasion. Has the tank got a breather and, if so, could it be blocked??? John Harrison. Wallasey PS. I really love my Vellfire; 3 years now and just passed another MOT. GREAT!!!

Hi. I have a 2008 AH20 2.4. The new head unit put in by my son for me didn't require some of the old cables as they were for Jap Analogue TV and am/fm radio. Other cables were for Jap toll road payment systems, do also not required. Hope this is of help. John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

Hi. Any Toyota main dealer with have them or be able to get them. They will probably be expensive. Failing that, ask at a dealer to see if they will give you a print out of the part numbers/diagram. My local garage, Johnsons Toyota Wallasey, helped me out when my side skirts got damaged. Good luck. John Harrison. Wallasey. 2.4 AH20 VELLFIRE

They are expensive new, but you might find a cheaper one by asking one of the Jap Importers? Failing that, there are several Japanese/TOYOTA spares companies, other than using main dealers. Jbhtrams

I went from a 7 seater Chrysler Voyager to an 8 seater Vellfire. Its that extra seat that puts up the insurance. I was told by two insurance companies!!! Jon Harrsion. Wallasey, Wirral

Hi. I have a 2008 AH20 2.4 VELLFIRE. I have ordered a pair of parking brake cables from a company online as these cables seem to be out of stock at most places and they have been on order from this company for about two or three months now; they say they are waiting for a delivery from Japan? Does anyone know where I can get the correct set in the UK??? John Harrison. Wallasey.

Hi. I replaced my head in my 2008 AH20 Vellfire, with one of these. It is a generic head off the internet, designed to replace the existing panel. My son fitted it for me. You have to take the air con panel, the ash tray cover and chrome surround off the old panel and fit onto new panel. The latter just clips in place as the original. The actual head panel is only about 1 1/2" thick, whereas the the old unit was about 6" deep. My son also removed the Japanese TV and road toll units while he was at it; the dash is a little lighter now and the screen is now the full width of the panel. My unit can get several types of Radio signal and has two USB inputs. As I remember one is for digital audio (I use music on my pen drive), the other is for digital video, ie, pen drive, video camera/camcorder, DVD disc player, etc. It also has Sat Nav, Bluetooth, reversing camera, and numerous other items the old head didn't. I think yhe screen is 10" too! I looked for details of one, on line, for a friend of mine and there are literally dozens of the same and similar models for most Japanese cars! I hope that this is a help? John Harrison. Wallasey

My Vellfire is a 2008 2.4 and is definately complient for London; not sure about Edinburgh? John Harrison

Hi. My AH20 2008 Vellfire mirrors only fold in and out when I press the button. I would like them to be auto when the ignition is on or off. John Harrison. Wallasey

Great!!!

Think he might like nes leather seat covers gofer his AH10 ALPHARD???

I'm not sure about the 2006 Alphard, but my 2008 2.4 Vellfire couldn't have been easier. My son did it for me, because he had more nimble fingers, but once you carefully take off the horn cover on the steering wheel, and lifted out the airbag, there are two screws to screw the lever in and plug it in. All the other wiring is already in the car! My cruise control lever cost me £7.95 inc p+p!!! Well worth it. I had a look on the internet a few weeks ago, for my neice (who has just bought a 58 reg Vellfire; after travelling in mine) and they are now around £13-£15. Another relative for a VW was quoted £800+ for his!!! If you are unsure, most mecanics/ auto electricians can fit it. I was told by my local Toyota dealer that modern British Toyota/Lexis models do not have the wiring in the harnesses, only the older models, over 8 years old. Hope this has been helpful to people who are not sure about doing it? The even better point is that when used, the petrol consumption goes down!!! John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

I paid £41 inc carrier, bur I have seen them since for £28!!! John Harrison. Wallasey.

Hi. For some reason, I must have missed your question; sorry it'd been so long replying. The cylinder length is 12" long (304.8mm) and cylinder diameter is 23.5mm (59/64"). These work well on my Vellfire and were bought from Ali Express. The first ones I ordered were wrong but they were refunded very quickly and I ordered these that are correct. Good luck! John Harrison Wallasey, Wirral.