pipsyp

New Dawn are excellent

Very nice, New Dawn do a nice conversion (did my rear conversion for the previous keepers)

Since getting my 2008 AH10, the drivers side wiper had always skipped. The initial sweep was fine, but the return used to miss/skip over a fair section of screen to the point it was quite annoying when it rained/you washed your screen. I initially put it down to the blade being bad (as they were the old frame style and clearly quite old) but changing it out (from the old style to aero blades) for a new one of the same 26" length it still skipped. I figured it was either a weakness in the arm or perhaps some distortion of the screen. I'd just lived with it up until now, but having recently had my windscreen replaced and it doing the exact same thing with fresh glass I thought I'd try something. I replaced the original AR26U Bosch blade for it's 24" equivalent, figuring that the loss of an inch of wiping either end of the blade wouldn't be a huge loss it would be worth a try to see if the skipping stopped. Well low and behold it did. Now wipes perfectly with barely any difference in coverage. Therefore if anyone experiences the same thing, can almost guarantee switching the driver's blade from 26 to 24" it'll sort it. Certainly cheaper and less problem than trying to source a new wiper arm!

Appreciate this, I had wondered about mine so checked it out and confirmed both had been done 👍

Pretty sure all facelift AH10s are effectively Euro 4 compliant. All the prospective buyer needs to worry about is whether the TfL site says it's compliant or not. Unfortunately (and I think it's often down to how they are imported and registered in the UK), some show compliant, others such as yours don't. You could reach out to TfL with the evidence of Euro 4 compliance and they'll probably amend the online record, I am sure others have done this but I'd imagine it's a pretty tedious job! The buyer probably needs to lighten up TBH, even if these cars are currently ULEZ compliant, way things are going they probably won't be for that much longer.....if they live in a ULEZ area or would be using it to travel into it alot I'd question if an Alphard is the right vehicle for them anyway.

The bolt to lower the space saver on my rear converted AH10 is under the boot latch trim, has to be removed to access it. You then use the wheel brace from the cars tool kit to turn it to lower it. The kitchen unit does get in the way but it's still very much accessible. I however cannot confirm if this is the factory location for it, or if it was relocated when converted. Regardless I've just ordered an emergency repair and inflation kit for it, not sure I'd fancy running a space saver on it unless I really had to and tyre looks original.

My 2008 57 plate AH10 2.4 shows as compliant. Not sure if it's age related, or whether they are just more friendly towards Japanese imports (because they don't know what the emissions are).

Hi, I bought an already converted AH10 a few months back. Rear Kitchen, MHU (mains hook up) and 12v wiring/leisure battery was done by New Dawn, pop top done by Northstar and is a Drivelodge. I think each to their own but these are my thoughts. Rear conversion works better than side conversion - this way you retain the factory 2nd row (which still folds flat into a bed) and retain full use of both side doors. There is still useful bootspace between the kitchen and 2nd row......if you plan to use it as a daily then this is the way to go. Only real downside is that it's nigh on impossible to get to the spare wheel release due to the kitchen placement (just resort to tyre gel and a compressor!). I also am not personally a fan of rock and roll beds.....comfier to sleep on sure, but as nice to sit in on a journey (or as safe)....I doubt it. New Dawn did a lovely job on the kitchen conversion, all very solid and nice materials/components used. No complaints and they've been very friendly and responsive to requests for info I've made to them. Definitely get a leisure battery with split charging. I also strongly encourage having a battery charger installed that allows the 12v systems to be powered from the MHU and also charge the battery whilst connected. We have a 12v fridge freezer in ours which is brilliant, but it kills the leisure battery quick and without the means to charge the battery when not moving means it's pretty compromised. Mine currently doesn't have a charger so is something I plan to sort. Drivelodge roof is very good, seems well made and is a nice profile on top of the van - well thought out. I would however say it's only really ever as good as how well it is installed. Northstar didn't do a bad job on it, but my suspicions are that Drivelodge would have done it better and would have been my choice had I got it converted. The internal framing started coming unglued and some minor bits of trimming came unstuck which I've had to sort etc, which given it was only done mid 2021 is a bit disappointing. My only disappointment with the roof is that the fly netting (believe it is fibreglass mesh) has started splitting in a few places already both sides, I believe as a result of it remaining folded much of the time. Sadly the netting can't be unzipped and replaced (it's triple stitched in place), so it's going to be the case of taking it to a suitable place to get it replaced eventually, replace the entire canvas (big job, expensive and seems unnecessary seeing as it's perfect otherwise) or cut it out with careful use of a Stanley blade. Still a bit of a shame given the roof is barely 2 years old. Regardless I don't think there are too many poptop options for the Alphard, but despite my minor issues, it's an excellent bit of kit and would highly recommend. I can also say that support from Drivelodge themselves is excellent 👍

Yeah the lap belt thing is workable in most circumstances. I have three kids, though two of them no longer need boosters but one of them will sit in the front and myself or the wife will take the lap belt. Guess it's a bit of a shame Toyota didn't engineer a third 3 point belt into the physical seat, also I'd have forgone the armrest for another headrest but it is what it is 👍

Just noted your point on the 3 child seats. Not to burst the bubble but do be aware that the middle seat in the 2nd row only has a lap belt, not a 3 point harness so it really is no good for a child seat or high back booster. The two main seats either side have full 3 point harnesses and they also have ISOFIX capability (just been out and checked)

Have a 2008 2.4 that's had a rear kitchen and pop top conversion. Retains the 3 seat 2nd row so still a full 5 seater. Just drove it from the South Coast to North Yorkshire, loaded it did about 28 up, 27 on return, both ways plenty of stop start traffic. I think 30 is possible with a light right foot and the right sort of run but I think high 20's is very good for a heavy 2.4 NA auto petrol. It's not wonderful A to B though, I daily mine a fair bit and the previous tank which was mostly commuting to work and bumbling about came in at about 19 which is a bit heavy. They definitely prefer a decent run. I'm not anti Hybrid, but I personally wouldn't want one as whilst the tech was clever for the time it's not that wonderful now and adds quite a bit of complexity to a vehicle which (being a bit of an obscure Jap Import) can be quite challenging to fix when needed anyway. The V6's are nice and I think I'd appreciate their extra go/effortless nature but the 2.4 is all the engine an Alphard needs IMHO. I concur with others as well, to tax is good as it's a fixed amount being an import (215 a year, being over a 2.0 I think) but insurance is challenging. Mines worse as it's a camper conversion so limits options that bit more but they definitely seem to be a harder, more expensive car to insure regardless of your age, driving history etc. I don't think some insurers/underwriters will even touch them......I think it's in part down to them being challenging to repair if they ever end up in a fender bender!

I have to take it all back! Just been up north, about 670 mile round trip....managed about 28 on the way up, 27 on way home so 27.5mpg average. I don't have the lightest right foot in the world either so I have no doubt 30 would have been possible. Very impressed with it TBH, even loaded to the gills it doesn't drive much different to when empty and happily punts along the motorway at a decent pace. Whilst my heart would always say V6, my head definitely concurs that the 2.4 is all the motor an Alphard needs!

Yeah there is one, it's on the opposite side to the rear parking mirror tucked under the spoiler (so it's not visible). You have to rotate the end of the wiper stalk upwards as far as it will go to engage it. All fed from the front tank, which appears to be massive and rarely needs filling 👍

For anyone wanting to do this, it's a relative doddle as long as you have a decent long reach 10mm socket and a Phillips screwdriver. Four 10mm bolts (I've seen 11 and 13mm mentioned, definitely 10!).....two below the top inner trim piece, two on either end under rubber grommets that you have to pop out in order to gain access. Best to remove the side trim pieces as well just for ease. Reason for needing the long reach socket is that the nuts each go over a pin that's perhaps 30mm in length, these pins used to locate the spoiler on the tailgate.. A regular socket (that also isn't hollow) doesn't have the length to clear the pin and get onto the nut. Once these are removed the spoiler should lift straight off, it's not attached to the vehicle otherwise. I just let mine carefully dangle from the 3rd brake light wiring as I didn't really see the need to disconnect it as the spoiler isn't all that heavy. The mirror is held to the tailgate with four Phillips headed bolts. These just unscrew and the mirror comes straight off. I then just put the screws back in quite tightly (they have a little clear plastic washer on them which is probably wise to retain on them). You then reseat the spoiler and do it back up in reverse. My spoiler was actually a little loose, so proved a good opportunity to tighten it up. I broke one trim clip getting the inner trims back on but they are pretty standard and readily available but if you don't want to have to replace any just be cautious (I got a little too confident at the end). Looks alot better without the mirror, and on a black car you don't really notice any lack of bung. I found the mirror quite handy, but only on the rare occasion it was clean and with a reversing camera it's a bit pointless.

I've not had my 2.4 very long and no idea what MPG it had been getting but the last tank it just did about 63 litres of E10 95ron in about 265 miles so did a rudimentary calculation. If my maths is right works out about 19mpg 🤢 In fairness to it, alot of that was short A to B driving. I know that driving it back from Birmingham down to the South Coast when I purchased it, despite sitting on the motorway for most of it at a reasonable lick it did well in excess of 300 miles and was quite impressed with it. It's also rear converted with a pop top so there's additional weight and drag from that. I had a Forester 2.0 XT before it that had mad thirst for 99ron, so this is nothing in comparison. Glad it runs happily on E10 as that represents a bit of a saving!

Appreciate the reply @atlanticcobra2023 not sure what's going on. I don't hear any clicking when pressing the brake pedal but as you say if the shift lock is stuck open could explain it. Not a biggy as it functions just fine....and I suppose I'll probably never have the issue of it getting stuck in P 😆

Sorry guys bit of a thread revival! Noticed on my 2008 AH10 2.4 that I'm able to go through the auto gear gate from P to L with the ignition key out. I only noticed the other day as I managed to go from P to R without engaging the brake which I found most strange. I have a suspicion that my shift interlock may have failed in the past and has been removed? Can only assume this perhaps was done/happened to it prior to import? I have the shift lock button but functionally it of course does nothing, as it never locks into park. Doesn't overly bother me as functionally the car is fine, but intrigued never the less!

Bit of an update on the Alphard. Just been in the garage to have a major service (done with all genuine Toyota parts), new radiator (the old one had split again genuine), ARB D link bushes and a new diff seal (again all genuine) as it was found to be leaking a bit of gear oil from one side. Also had a tyre replaced so they are now all a matching set, not of tyres I'd have personally chosen, but matching all the same! I did buy a set of steering column bushes, but my garage couldn't fault them so didn't replace them. It still has a bit of a knock, which feels like it's coming from the higher end of the column so will need looking at down the line again. Bit annoying as it was one thing I'd hope would be sorted but hey ho. I did also get a couple of door reflectors from Toyota so no more hole in the passenger door and I have a spare incase the other one decides to fall out! As to the van otherwise, really enjoying it. I've not had a chance to camp in it yet, but the wife and kids have and really like it. It's pleasant to drive, part of me now would have preferred a V6 one, but the 2.4 does the job and is actually surprisingly peppy and economical given the weight it's hauling around. Suits it's demeanor very well I think as it's certainly not sporty to drive in any sense despite the bodykit lol. Disappointingly the drivelodge pop top has LED lights in it which have failed, it by all accounts has a 5 year warranty so am going to look into how I can get that resolved. Also have found that whilst it has a 16amp hook up, it doesn't have a charger so literally just runs the mains voltage outlets in the van. It has a fridge freezer which kicks the ass out of the leisure battery pretty quickly unless you run the vehicle (as it does have a split charging relay) so am looking at buying a Victron unit of some sort that can be spliced into the existing consumer unit and used to smart charge the vehicle and leisure batteries when on hook up. Now it's freshly serviced and nicely reliable looking forward to getting it away and doing some miles in it.

I've noticed on my Alphard that it has no side repeaters, I'd assumed they were in the side mirrors but there are none. Gather this is commonplace for the AH10 facelift? I have noted that the headlamps (have AFS) have a section that comes out at the side which is effectively a side indicator. Assume this is it?

I went with JustKampers, basically I think they are underwritten by a number of insurers and who you end up with is rather pot luck depending on the vehicle and driving history. I suspect (well almost certain) they are an offshoot of Adrian Flux behind the scenes, which I'm not overly keen about (I've not had a good experience with them in the past, after they tried to get me to insure a slightly modified Mini convertible for more than the car was worth) but the price seemed right etc. Wanted to know alot of details such as driving licence details, also insisted on taking the vehicle mileage as part of the limited mileage of the policy but all fairly standard I guess (also being a JDM import that's been converted as a campervan they deem that fairly high risk). Time will tell but so far they've been amenable!

Yeah I have this problem (slightly) on my AH10. The old blades were past it so replaced with new Bosch Aerotwins, much better but there is still a small section of screen on the driver's side that doesn't clean properly, mostly as the wipers sweep back toward the park position. Whilst it's clean, the people I bought it off have obviously let it sit for a while so will look to polish the glass lightly with some cleaner, possibly some light compound and see how it fairs then.

Much appreciated Picasso, do you happen to know what the part no's are?

Thanks so much Steve, really useful to know! - Paul

Hi All, My passenger door is missing the red kerb reflector (I don't think mine have lighting in them). Any ideas where to source a replacement? I've scoured eBay and not much luck. Thanks all!!

Thanks all! I ordered all the relevent Bosch items from Halfrauds and all good. They are indeed AR26U, AR16U for front and H409 for the rear. SP16 I am sure works too on rear but H409 is essentially an OE like replacement (SP16 looks to be an old style frame wiper like what is normally on the fronts). Hope this helps someone down the line!