Rat-XF

On 5/21/2025 at 11:21 AM, Sajeev said:

I have just added a pair of Audison AP690 Prima to the front doors powered by a Focal Impulse 4.320 Amp.  A pair of Focal IS TOY 165 will be install in middle sliding doors by end of this week.

Hi Sajeev how are they sounding? Are they well priced in the UK?  

 Focal PS 165 F3E 3 Way component's or Infinity Perfect900 are on my Lotto winning list 😂 

On 7/25/2024 at 6:50 AM, av02 said:

Hi, Chris.

Did you get anywhere with this? I was thinking to go 6:9 2 ways in the 4 doors, and maybe that pair in the rear, but would need  adaptor rings?

You may be able to fit them but you would need a well thought out adaptor, the sliding doors are very shallow and the door mechanism is hiding behind the factory adaptor also. These photos should give you an idea with shallow mount 6.5" 2 ways. 

On 4/14/2025 at 9:29 AM, Maxim said:

 

I've done the same as you today - tried to replace the damper bush, only to find the one in there was perfectly good.

 

Can I ask - when you say 'replace the column with one from Amayama' - did you replace the upper column that the spider is part of, or did you replace the lower part (intermediate shaft), like the one Picasso linked to?

Hi Maxim i  just purchased the Steering shaft with twin U Joints off Aliexpress and Couriered to NZ for $90 all up.. The U joints look pretty good but i guess ill know once i fit it this weekend. 

On 4/14/2025 at 1:38 AM, Simbad said:

Took the Alphard out today for a spirited drive through some local countryside B-roads. I normally do this as my test drive, you know, to get a proper feel for how a vehicle handles: speed, acceleration, body roll and braking. I obviously don’t plan to drive it like that regularly, and I’m sure most Alphard owners don’t either, aside from the odd 0–60 pull to show off and surprise folks at traffic lights.

 

But I was genuinely shocked at how underwhelming the brakes were. On my first 10min run, they started fading quite dramatically. By the time I was on the return leg, I had to really lean on the pedal — and even then, the car didn’t slow down nearly as much as I expected.

 

When I got home, all four corners were smoking, and the pads absolutely stank of burnt brake smell.

 

For regular day-to-day driving, they seem fine-ish.  Both my good old MOT station and Toyota checked them recently and they were within the norm; but give them even a slight push and it quickly feels unsafe. Which has got me seriously thinking that perhaps a brake upgrade is worth it for peace of mind. I do feel exactly the same as I did in my heavy RX hybrid where you pressed the brakes and the car felt like it was still rolling. I don’t like that feeling and I guess it’s because the car is heavy, if not heavier than the RX I owned.

 

I’m thinking of an upgrade and probably some Brembos. Anyone have long-term feedback? Any issues with squeal, dust, or general wear?

Who serviced the brakes last? It really sounds like it has either very poor Quality Friction material pads fitted or maybe there hanging due to the caliper pistons.. this would be very uncommon for all 4 corner's though.  

Can definitely recommend EBC,  we have these in New Zealand also:

https://www.ebcbrakes.com/vehicle/uk-row/TOYOTA/Vellfire/

Hi mate the Centre stereo facia has to come out and the two panels need to be very gently up clipped, ive attached a photo of the clip holes.. I did the same thing but i painted mine all black.

How do you find the Android unit from AliExpress, no saving the time issues? I used there 10.1" Facia it needed a small massage but over all great 😁

Cerwin Vega is a wicked brand I've used a range of there speakers over the years and still use my old XL15s from an old car system now in my home Cinema. If you do end up upgrading your speakers i can confirm after a tweak the 3.5" two ways fit in the dash corners.  

On 7/30/2022 at 8:17 PM, Chris.ac said:

basically, all the sidelights, interior lights, number plate lights use the same capless bulbs, with the exception of the small boot illumination bulb, that looks like a fuse shaped bulb.

These type https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autobulbs-Capless-Sidelight-Bulbs-Interior/dp/B009ZJUI90

 

I replaced all my 5W and 8W capless using LED ones, whiter light, and brighter.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382904669684

 

Far far far cheaper than going to halfords or the like, 10 bulbs for under a tenner, I bought 20 and did all bulbs at once (including the ones above the Visors)

 

 

 

 

Your front spot lights may also be HB4 on 20Series, worth a quick look before you purchase H11  

4 hours ago, Symbiotic said:

@Rat-XF I am super new to Alphard owners club and am looking at swapping out the centre console. Your Phillips one looks awesome, do you have a link to the one you have installed?

 

I have found some of these panels on eBay but none that are "named" brands.

Hi mate Welcome aboard, I am also new on here 😁

I get alot of my audio install Accessories from TEMU, the facia to suit 10.1" Android you can get in Silver or Black..it was $40 NZD delivered. The Philip's Andriod unit I purchased second hand here in NZ. Part number is CID6680/93. I am unsure if these can still be purchased and I believe there is a Chinese knock off of the Android. 

I re painted all the fake wood trim 😁, just need to change the wheel now. 

I really like the volt meter on the charger, super handy 

Can highly recommended this one from TEMU a

*Nudge 

Hi mate Brown would normally be Remote in or out depending on your roof Screen, Activated from head Unit. 

Any other members have a sound system install on the go? 

I think you will be surprised on the poor Quality of the front door speakers when you remove them, Nice 6x9 in your price range mounted on a 3/4 MDF spacer and a square of Sound deadening behind it will be a really nice upgrade. 

Has anyone had success with aftermarket roof monitor and Android Head unit?  I,e the Remote wire to trigger the signal? 

Highly recommend Sound Deadening and Sound Proofing it makes such a big difference on these Vehicles, the rear sliding doors are so thin there's not much cavity! 

Our system is totally Stealth except the Android so this limited me on some better options but i Squeezed 3-1/2s in the Dash and 6x9s in the front doors and it sounds miles better than the factory set up. Admittedly i have a 100rms feeding each door speaker so this is a fare bit over factory. 

Anyway if you are like us with kids in and out all the time and you don't want speakers kicked then good 6x9s will give you nice lows up front. 

Hi AV02 depending on your Budget and if you want to keep it looking stealth you can get some really good 6x9 Components up front to get you some good full Range i think you would be surprised especially if they are pushed with a good amp . Im guessing the 18 speaker system was more for the rear passengers and movies on a long drive? 

Were is the factory sub mounted, can you just run a better Sub in its place? We have a 6 speaker Vellfire so unsure were the sub is,  i ditched all the factory Audio for Aftermarket. 

Oh wow that's beautiful gear mate, in the end I was able to fit a 800rms 2 channel under the passenger seat and a 100rms x 4 under the drivers. 

Just need to find the time to build the sub box. To be honest it sounds awesome just with the JBL 6x9 front and 6.5 rear. 

No one doing full system installs? 

Hi guys im part way through a full stealth sound install for our 2011 Vellfire, Factory 6 speaker model Vellfire. Really keen to see what others have installed especially amp set ups under the front seats etc

Thanks mate 

Been converted from the Elgrand 😁

Hi from NZ chaps..

We have the entry level vellfire 2011 20 Series has anyone fitted amps under the seat? Its Wifeys daily so can be hard to rip stuff out even though I'm in the middle of a full sound install 😂

It's no the 18 speaker model so was intrested if anyone had the W x D x H if they have had the front seats out.