John Harrison

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.

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.

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

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

Hi. Yes, sorry. I paid about £41, including postage, from Ali Express Ltd. John Harrison.

Hi. I have a 2008 Vellfire AH20. I've mentioned before, and it has been mentioned by other people about the height of the rear door, when open, being too low. My struts went up the the fully open position if lifted, but wouldn't lift themselves all the way up. Time for a replacement! Had a look on the internet and one company sent the wrong ones; too short and no brackets, even though recommended for Alphard/Vellfire's. I hot a refund in 4 days and had ordered a new set that looked right (showed brackets, etc). These arrived yesterday. I fitted them and they fitted perfectly! The cylinders ar shorter, but the close ok and, FOR THOSE WHO COMPLAINED THAT THEY BANGED THEIR HEADS, they open the door about 2" to 3" higher!!! They lift the door as soon as you unlock, but you can still pull down and shut easily. I'm really made up with them! The make is 'XIANGSHANG'. THESE WORK WELL and are highly recommended!!! (See attached pics) You don't have to bang you head again!!! John Harrison. Wallasey

Hi. If you are setting traps, put chocolate in them. They are like us, they adore chocolate!!! If you catch one to let it go, drive about 3 or 4 miles away, do the dont come back. Watch were you park it. Not over grass or soil. John Harrison. Wallasey.

I know it will probably be expensive, but Toyota dealers can get most Alpgard parts next day!!! John Harrison Wallasey

I'm with Adrian flux for my 2.4 8-seater; so far ok. As to parts. Plenty on line, but yesterday I priced parts for rear axle fixing bushes, an advise for my MOT. You can get plenty of bushes on line but the high tensile bolts for the bushes were harder to find. I went to my local Toyota garage, Johnsons, Wallasey, at 11.30am and ordered two bolts (with washers) and 2 nuts. They phoned to say they had arrived at 10.00am today! Brilliant service!!! John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral

Hi. The side doors on my Vellfire close the a motor takes overand closes it fully. The back door(hatch)closes by hand but the motor doesn't take over. I've checked and it is the motorised type, I'm not sure if it is the motor or the wiring. How do I check? John Harrison. WALLASEY, WIRRAL.

We replaced the room lights in ours with an LED strip. What a job!!! Once we started we found out that the room light covering it screwed in from the inside of thr roof lining before it was fitted.8 The pillar light harness, I think is from either side up the pillars John Harrison.Wallasey

Hi. Either a floor bung, if it is round, or as I did on my old Toyota Townace Noah, I made an aluminium plate, painted it ans pop riveted it on with some sealer under it. It worked fine! John Harrison. Wallasey.

Hi. When we got our 2008 Vellfire about 2 years ago there was a smell coming from both Aircon units. We were recommended to use Air conditioner smoke bombs to flush the air systems out. I think we bought them from Halfords. Not sure of the price (think about £9 each) but set them going in the car and leave for a few hours. Once we returned, the car smelt great and had no trouble since. They recommend doing it every so often, or if a smell developes. Hope this is a help? John Harrison. Wallasey, Wirral.

Hi. You got a really good deal there. I think a lot of it is to do with the number of seats. Mine is a 2008, 2.4 Vellfire. My last quote was about £800+ about a year ago. Mine is an 8-Seater though! I suspect that yours will be either 4 or 5 seater with the conversion? I'm with Adrian Flux too! John Harrison. Wallasey!