timsbeast

I just put on the KO2s and they made a big difference for snow, dirt and gravel roads.  They have a burly profile as well making my van look more aggressive / offroad. 

Great freeway feel as well, smooth, not much extra noise.

Gas Mileage is down 1MPG sitting at around 14MPG, (seems kind of low).

Seattle City Driving = Pothole construction madness. KO2s make it way better to hit the horrid streets of Seattle. Mountain roads are better!

+1 recommend on the KO2s.

I picked up the KO2s 2 months ago and they turned my van into a new mountain beast.  Discount Tire set them up on the stock wheels. Next goal is to paint the stock wheels matt black.

Hit the mountains last weekend and still could use chains as rear wheel drive is not the same as my Subaru Wagon. The look is really game changing if it makes you feel better. Gnarly side wall is aggressive.  Way better piece of mind.   DO IT.  >> Tim

Best roof vents you can get with the European low profile are from our friend in Oregon. I got the first one and need to get them to build a fitting CNC plastic for the NV roof ribs. 

Connect with the crew here and also get your Thinsulate. DM me as I need to get mine done, waiting for the rains to stop in the NW.

http://www.impact3d.com/thinsulate.htm

Nice job on the build. LOVE that you just went and dropped in the Sun Roof!

 I used Dynamatt and then Thinsulate from http://www.impact3d.com/ Now wrapping up with wall panels.  Much quieter.  The Thinsulate is GREAT. Nice people in Oregon can ship it to you.

Tim

Refrigerator / Cooler to replace center console - Dometic? Model, Anyone have one?

https://www.dometic.com/en-us/us/products/food-and-beverage/cooling-boxes/powered-boxes/dometic-cfx-65dz-_-137964

I am looking for a good cooler/freezer combo that will fit and replace the driver console.

Thanks! Tim

Hey NV Gang,

Checking in from Seattle with a new install of the Compustar Pro T11 Alarm.

https://www.compustar.com/

Install was by Car Toys since I know the manager and had them add sound deadening to the doors and leave me wires for the rear bolt lock actuators that I will install myself.  Now I worry about lost remotes and their batteries.

Here is what was installed. Works great!

• Front Door Locks
• Remote Start
• 3 Mile Alarm to Remote Alerts. (Now you just need to figure out how to engage car thiefs because the police dont respond anymore to calls. For real. I just had a hit and run right in front of me happen and the Seattle SPD would not show up). Citizens arrest or get a really mean dog?
• Heat Sensor live data to the remote
• Other options to trigger the 360 video system. *More on this so I can build a prototype and share with you all.

Security in Place:

SlickLocks:

I did add Slick Locks and like the outside bulk round lock as a deterrent but hate how it locks the doors and you can not unlock from the inside. Trust me, I had to rescue 3 people out the trunk of a flipped car in Hawaii and it scares me to have this type of lock. Also no automatic actuators, which maybe good but a hassle.

Slidebolt Door Locks

Next up I am digging up the source for the back and side door bolt locks, even add them to the front.

Any links or installs out there?

Pro Tip and Ideas: 

Black Tape your Door Locks

I have been cutting off a small strip of black gaffers tape and simply tape off the door lock key holes.  It seems like the door keyholes invite cracker heads to screw up your locks. I am not sure if this works yet, but when I get the video system up we will all watch car prowlers come up to the car and see what they do?  

Any photos? Final choices on Wheels?

Sweet! Thanks so much for posting. My 2012 Airbox clip thing broke off while trying to get the filterbox back on so this helps a lot for me to try the K&N.  -- T. Seattle

Anyone have mods for putting rubber or metal brush cards on the massive forehead of the Nissan NV high tops?. 

Seems like my 2012 NV will just get gouged up this Spring and summer unless I build up some protection.  The roof has drain plugs.

I like the idea of how I had my old Subaru and had a certain level of FU comfort. I dont want to destroy nature with the hightop, but that forehead is going to get wacked sooner than later. Doh, ok I already did it and need to hide the evidence :)

Howdy,

I found a good resources to share for building out your NV Van.

Last week I drove to Hood River Oregon to meet with www.impact3d.com team. Nice people!

SOUND DEADENING: 
 

I learned that you do not need much sound deadening if you use the below 3M Thinsulate. I have a good deal from my local dealer on Dynamat so I just picked up four boxes and applied to the large open metal walls and areas where needed. Seems like a lot of weight and hassle looking at it now, wear gloves or it will cut up your hands..

I have seen other approaches such as spaying on Lizard Skin on that seems to be an easier method perhaps.

INSULATION:

I picked up 3M Thinsulate SM600L Acoustic Thermal Automotive Insulation for van and car on their site that is maintained on eBay for ease of management.  http://stores.ebay.com/impactproducts.  Approximate amounts needed to insulate the walls, ceiling, doors and cab area: 50 Linear SQ Feet

Recommend using 3M 90 Adhesive Spray to apply the white fiber side to the Van skin.

This is a very nice material to work with and cuts with good scissors. Apply spray glue to the van wall and to the white side of the Thinsulate, wait 1 min then apply. Fill in the cracks and make clips tied to string to pull strips through the cracks. break down a coat hanger to make a rod for pushing material up into cracks. 

For edges cut out about 1.5 inches of the white material so you have a flap of just the black material. For the ceiling ribs this makes a clean flush mounting method.

NEW CEILING FAN SCORE!!  

Hein at 3DImpact.com had new Low Profile fans in from Europe. We are working together to scan the Nissan NV Rib joins so he can create the first mounts for this new fan to fit Nissan NVs with a clean plastic piece that fills in the rib joints. 

Also you can see www.gnc-systems.com but go to Hein in Oregon to make your order since he is dealing with bulk and has product.

HEATER

A trip to Sandy Oregon and Rixen Enterprises.  They are an OEM for large motorhome brands with their full system that heats the van and water and has an engine cooling heat transfer system. The core is built from the 

http://rixens.com/products-services/sprinter-class-b-and-c-rv/ Cost is around $3800 + self installation. Quality and well designed, not cheap.

http://rixens.com/products-services/sprinter-class-b-and-c-rv/sprinter-and-class-b-c-rv-system-information/

Video - 

Picking up 2012 Nissan NV High Top this month.

Tim here in Seattle working on a build to create a cool conversion for mobile office and exploration van. Goal is to keep this modular and light so I can move around the interior space depending on the Van use case.

Interested in parts and DIY for:

• Security, Locks, Alarms, Kill Switch
• Insulation
• Heating
• Headlights
• Lift & Tires - Snow
• Awning
• Bumper
• Extra Windows
• Vent
• Kitchen
• Bike Rack
• Kayak Rack
• Snowboard / Skiing setup
• Engine mods - exhaust, computers, air, etc.

Pro-Tips Wanted for first time 2012 NV 2500 High Roof owner?

Love to hear any must learn or do things for the van. I hear about auto locking doors, how to manually shift? Other?

Thanks! Tim

Do you have photos and model number for the Sun Roof?  Thanks!