John Harrison

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

On 2/9/2025 at 2:56 PM, Chris Mc said:

Hi Guys its been a while since i posted as my Alphy is running sweet she is a 2007  AH10 went for its third MOT in  NI yesterday and she failed as the speedo is not showing  dual display of miles and kilometres, even thought it has passed the past two MOTs her in NI at standard test centres,  the guy was vague and said i could get stickers  for the display, but i thought the instrument cluster was a sealed unit so how would i  place them, or has anyone had a similar problem and got a successful  solution.

 

Chris

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.

25 minutes ago, John Harrison said:

 

 

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

On 11/6/2024 at 2:17 PM, Dave Tigwell said:

I need to replace the Japanese audio screen to English any suggestions on that screen to get and where 

On 11/6/2024 at 2:17 PM, Dave Tigwell said:

I need to replace the Japanese audio screen to English any suggestions on that screen to get and where 

20 hours ago, Dave said:

I've just received a PCN from Edinburgh council for unwittingly driving in their LEZ.

 

I thought that a December 2006 2.4 petrol Alphard would be compliant (even if their database doesn't know this).

 

Can anyone tell me if this vehicle is compliant, or how I can find out, prove it etc?

Or should I just pay up.

 

Many thanks,

Dave

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.

On 5/25/2024 at 11:49 AM, Rojie said:

 

Hello John,

 

Thanks for this; but my struts are not electric.

 

The tail-gate motor is, but not the struts.

I don't want the complication of additional wiring; but I will check them out.

 

Could I ask you please, when convenient, to measure the strut diameter.

 

I have previously imported 'suitable' struts which, unfortunately, were not suitable ! 

Hi. If you have any enquiries about Auto Boxes, I was told by a specialist auto repair garage to get it checked by one of them. He wasn't touting for business, it's just that they have the gear and knowledge to check your box. 

My local specialist is ROBBS GARAGE, WALLASEY. Their workshop benches are like a hospital operating theatre, spotless! Which is what you need for working on auto boxes!

If youbare in any doubt, fins one of them and ask. Usually with them though, if it works ok, leave it alone!

Good luck!

John Harrison. Wallasey.

14 hours ago, Rojie said:

 

If the MOT is recent that should good enough.

 

You could take your van to an MOT garage and have them test them without performing an MOT.

 

Have you checked the brake fluid level reservoir. ?

 

Perhaps your brakes need new fluid and a bleed.

 

If your brakes are 'bad' I think it is your van and not the Toyota design.

 

Oh, and reduce your roundabout approach speed.

I had an SUV before my 8 seater Vellfire. Even with the 8 seats full, the brakes are really good. At about 80,000 miles I replaced all four brake discs and pads and have had no problem since; there had been vibration when braking before. It has done about 97,000 miles now and brakes very well.

It could be that it cost me about £120 for discs and about £30 for pads. My brother fitted them for me, but would probably cost around £200 in garage costs to have them fitted. I think it was a company called Toyota Parts I bought the parts from.

I'm sure this will be you problem.

John Harrison. Wallasey

14 minutes ago, John Harrison said:

Hi. Sorry about the delay in replying.

The diameter of strut cylinder is 23.5mm.

Cylinder length 306mm.

Overall length between strut centres is 575mm.

They are for non motorised door and come with the fitting brackets already on each end.

I don't know any numbers I'm afraid, just that they were under 2008 2.4 Alphard/Vellfire type AH20.

Hope this is a help?

 

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

On 5/25/2024 at 11:49 AM, Rojie said:

 

Hello John,

 

Thanks for this; but my struts are not electric.

 

The tail-gate motor is, but not the struts.

I don't want the complication of additional wiring; but I will check them out.

 

Could I ask you please, when convenient, to measure the strut diameter.

 

I have previously imported 'suitable' struts which, unfortunately, were not suitable ! 

Hi. Sorry about the delay in replying.

The diameter of strut cylinder is 23.5mm.

Cylinder length 306mm.

Overall length between strut centres is 575mm.

They are for non motorised door and come with the fitting brackets already on each end.

I don't know any numbers I'm afraid, just that they were under 2008 2.4 Alphard/Vellfire type AH20.

Hope this is a help?

John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

They have all different types!

John H

They do do electric ones, as well as electric kits with switches etc for between £200-£300. I think that will be p+p on top though!

John H

Hi again. Yes very easy to fit, as long as you have someone or someone, to hold the door up while you remove the old ones....One heavy door!!!

John H