Nissan NV Quigley 4x4 build.

[aliu6294]

I just recently took delivery of a 2019 Nissan NV 2500 SV V8 High Roof that was sent from the factory to Quigley and converted to 4x4, before being shipped to the west coast. This took roughly 6 months from when I ordered it to when I took delivery, and now I'm in the process of converting it into a fairly standard adventure van, to be used for my mountain biking/skiing trips. I figured that if I was to spend the money to buy a van, I was going to get everything I wanted and do it right the first time, something I learned after 3.5 years constantly modifying a Tacoma.

Important criteria for me:

• Body-on-Frame
• 4x4
• V8
• Standing height interior

I could have gone with a E-series conversion, I looked pretty heavily into Sportsmobiles, but in the end I decided to go with the Nissan, as it's a newer chassis and I preferred the factory high roof over a fiberglass conversion.

Here's the van shortly after delivery:

So far I've done the following:

Installed a T-vent window in the sliding door:

Installed a MaxxFan roof vent and a cable port for solar:

Installed a push bar/bull bar, and a Weathertech rear hitch step (contentious, I know, but the van will spend most of it's time in the bay area, and I'm more concerned about cars bumping into it when parking, poles/bollards, etc. The van will rarely get into situations where the approach/departure angle loss will be an issue)

Installed the recovery points from a 200 series Land Cruiser, which happens to have the same C-C measurements for the mounting bolts as the front tow hooks on the NV):

Installed a Prime Designs rear ladder:

Installed a roof rack (with a slight modification to clear the MaxxFan):

And here's the van in it's current state:

Updates to come, I will be installing tires, sound deadening, and insulation next.

I've written more detailed write-ups on how I installed everything in my blog, but I'm not sure if it's allowed to be linked here. The link is in my signature.

 

[shade]

Welcome to ExPo! ?
You can post direct links to your blog.

https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/welcome-to-the-expedition-portal-forum-rules-etiquette-etc.2/

Looks like the beginnings of a comfortable place. I always like watching a project come together.

 

[_hein_]

Congratulations with your new van and project. Not a lot of NV builds out there and looks like you are making great progress. Your kitchen sink/electrical cabinet build is really nice work. Thank you for using our adapter to install the vent. We hope you will consider 3M Thinsulate for your thermal/acoustic insulation. How do you like the 4WD conversion?

All the best,
Hein
DIYvan
541 490 5098

 

[aliu6294]

Yes, Thinsulate is the plan for the insulation, with Noico on the sheet metal to dampen the panels. The rear doors resonate like crazy when you shut them right now, hoping the combination should make things sound much more solid.

I haven't had a chance to try out the 4WD yet, but just driving around town and on the highway you can't tell it's there, which I suppose is a good thing. I plan on taking this up for some ski trips this winter, will be able to try out the 4x4 then.

 

[aliu6294]

Installed the Noico this weekend, and some Thinsulate under the headliner as well.

 

[Flagster]

Very nice!
Interested in following along as I think we will be selling our '15 Sprinter 4x4 this year for the "next build" and the Quigley NVs are top of my replacement list right now...IMO really underappreciated vans.

 

[aliu6294]

It's been a long time coming, but the main build of the van is done. Being a project, it's never truly "done", but all the big items are complete, and it's ready to use.

Will post updates of the build steps incrementally, but a here's a peek at the finished result.

All of the framing is made from 15-series 80/20 extrusions, with HDPE side and base panels, and the bed is a Murphy-type setup using a combination of a linear bearing and pivot, and holds two bikes underneath. This was done to be able to be able to free up the majority of the floor space in the van, so it can still be used for cargo duties.

The sink and hanging cabinets on the passenger side are from NewAge Products, originally for a garage. They're made of steel, lightweight, and an easy drop in, to minimize build time. Propex heater is under the sink assembly, all the electronics are also in the sink assembly, batteries sit next to the drivers-side wheel well. Fridge is an IndelB, sitting between the two front seats.

More details to come.