radin2son

If you haven't see this video, it is worth it... Magic on Vimeo Vimeo.com/79569858 You might want to check out Sportsmobile and look at their many floor plans. (Only 2 for Nissan however, but that won't deter you.) You can also print a van interior and everything you might need and play with fitting them in... Check out David Anderson's other videos. We did and realized he was a teacher here and taught our daughters in k and 1st grade. Back to the videos; worth watching even if they have nothing to do with NVs. Or maybe they do... Too deep.

There is no bracket; it is a molded plastic part. (If it had only been a rubber gasket...) Unless you can glue it in yourself, it will have to be replaced for $230+. This is where cheaply made, efficient parts and expensive replacement meet our wallets. Left out of this process is universality.

Sounds like you had a good test ride. You will have to post progress reports when you start your build. Maybe your boxers thought they were flying. I had to get something from the back while my wife was driving on I-10. I felt like I was in a passenger plane. The van seemed to float. The pop top, although not that noisy, contributed to the sensation. Without windows, I imagine it might be like a cargo plane. No one has mentioned what the sound level is in the passenger NVs. I would think they are quiet. The absence of back ventilation would bother me when parked.

Utility and meeting expectations trump just about everything.

We also have been looking at camping at Parker Canyon Lake while the weather here is so much better than most areas of the country. We were in Sonoita 2 weeks ago; we had never seen so many Border Patrol trucks. Even forest service officers are heavily armed.

If you have the time during the 5 days, throw your sleeping bag, stove, food and water into the back and drive the 113 miles to Cochise Stronghold campground. You will get a good mix of interstate, 2 lane paved and a dirt road into the stronghold. If the campground is full, not likely, return to the entrance. Just before you get to the info sign you will see a dirt road on the left (west) for free, dispersed camping. Even if you don't camp it will be a great test...

While waiting for full US coverage and a decent phone battery, the tech/nav package works everywhere... I just wish it would enable searching for a city destination without the specific street etc. Often, despite the slow scrolling, I pick an intersection or something at random to get close. I rarely use it, but it will help on a trip east this May to Charlottesville and DC. One thing nav always shows is a compass. A friend whose family were homesteaders in AK had a great story from the 50s. While driving north, returning home on the AlCan, a driver heading toward them was frantically waving his arms for them to stop. "Which way is Alaska?" If he only had the nav package...

iPhones/iPads also have off line GPS capability, but require downloading an app. (We mostly rely on paper maps, unless trying to get through a major city.) Basic iPhone maps aren't GPS; you would think Google maps would be. No matter what smartphone/tablet you use, you still have mount it where you can see it, unless you just need audio. That is why the tech option is good, still not great, or you can scrap it and put in a better unit. I like how Nissan Commercial has recognized that passenger nav is mostly useless for commercial drivers and has reimbursed buying commercial nav units. Do this too often and it may be permanent option.

For those of you who don't regularly travel through "no service" areas, your iphone will not work at all. No maps, no phone. The tech package is good, not great, for GPS. I would like the screen to be bigger, to have it initially show the whole route and show more of the road ahead. It also has an interstate orientation and frequently routes you off secondary but more direct routes. The backup camera is a great feature. The bottom line is that it is a package but not as costly as other vehicles who package unrelated items or force a move to the more expensive vehicle. It would be great if we could special order vehicles with only what we want...

I never considered Cooper tires, but I can see why you would go back to these if they worked well

I have the 2500 with V8 with the same 3.54:1 first gear ratio as the 3500. The 2500 has Firestone HT LT 245/70R17 tires ($201 ea.) while the 3500 has 245/75R17 tires ($216 ea.). Both are E rated. (Prices are from Firestone's web site.) My question is based on payload. GVRW for the 2500 is 9100 lbs. Camper conversion/travel weight adds about 2000 lbs. to the NV vehicle weight of 6000 lbs. Is the payload difference significant between the 2 sizes? If so, would it be better or safer to put on a set of 245/75R17 tires.

Actual photos make it look better! Nissanusa has it up as well. For those who do not like all the chrome on the NV grill, the same as body paint looks good.

Truck Trend has a Titan xt first look, but on my iPhone, I thought I clicked on Ford truck of the year. Must be the headlights, the "computer generated (?) photos or the 2/3s format I my phone (site won't let me enlarge it). Great that you have a PO, one of many I would guess...

Here I go responding to my own message... Sort of. Bates and Chris, as Titan info comes available, please post it. Regarding 4x4 NV conversions, you will have to hope the new Titan parts work and that the plant in Mississippi will get on it. There was a post on the SMB forum complaining about a conversion using too many current Titan parts.

It will be interesting to see which parts are shared or can be shared. Most of the "new" oil 4x4 fleet trucks with the flags on back have been Fords. Few Dodges, fewer Chevys, fewer still Tundras and no Titans. This new Titan could change that. You should do well.

Keep taking it to the next level. Complain to Nissan USA and whatever consumer protection group you have. May not help you, but... Also, get an auto body repair/paint shop that you trust to look at it and see if they have any idea what caused this and what it will cost to repair. Hard to believe that such a toxic bomb could do this in one spot and only this spot. Awhile back a bunch of new cars were crushed because the computer missed a too many welds to fix. Guess robots are human after all. Where on the roof is the problem in relation to the supports (don't know what they are called)? Can you see anything from inside that looks like a fix?

Mc2guy, Lived in Boston as an adult. Grew up in Venezuela, Cuba, NY, Quebec, and NC before moving west. Driving the San Diego/ LA corridor, even Phoenix, is the same... I am not interested in arguing with you, telling you how drive or comparing retirement with vacation time. In reality, we are saying the same thing. Going with the flow to me is the same as going 70-80 mph if that is the speed other vehicles are traveling. In city interstate travel, I would guess that I rarely look at the speedometer. We also have done many staton wagon/VW camper cross country trips with our children and knew the need to make haste, only to have them dawdle in the morning, sleep during the driving portion and be ready for action at the end of the day. The good news is that the NV is a great drive. Since this is a discussion on mpg, going 65 mph would probably increase your 13+ mpg estimate. At 65 mph, rpms are 2200 and at 75 mph, rpms are 2500. Maybe the mpg difference would be marginal? Without real time mpg, it would be difficult to determine, and then it would only be for that NV under those conditions. Have a great trip. No, that sounds too much like an insincere "Have a great day." Enjoy your trip.

I would be more interested in Nissan sponsored events. Nissan/Quigley in Moab? Diesel intro if they ever get around to it? AZ test facility tour? Seeing 50 NVs in Chris' lot?

Mc2guy, No need to go with the flow unless you are near a city. 65 mph is a perfect speed out west. You will slot in nicely with semis and tow vehicles, which often have a much lower posted speed limit. Or you can go the posted 85 mpg in some states. If you have the time in June, get off the interstates and take some of the historic US Highways. Dustin, think of all the stuff you can carry. You can expand...

Another factor is when you figure mpg. When I say there were 20 fill ups on a trip with a high of 18+ and low of 14 mpg per fill up, that's not all that accurate. Based on miles driven and the needle on the gauge, I can sort of guess how many gallons are needed to fill the tank, but I have no idea whether or not the tank is full when the pump cuts off. I don't continue to fill the tank, if the gallons are close to what I expected. I end up with a guestimate mpg per tank full which is less than what the computer reads. Later, I can add up the gallons pumped and the miles driven, do the division and come up with 15+ mpg. So altitude is a factor for better mpg. Yet, we are paying $1.99 a gallon not the low lander $1.76. So, who feels the pain?

You will like your NV. No one has mentioned a "car top" tent, but I think it would be a great alternative to a travel trailer or pop top for a passenger NVs. (Provided the passenger model has the ladder rack mounts.) Main advantage to a pop top is no hole in the roof and it can come off when not needed. You could still modify the interior of your van. No standup room unfortunately... One thing I would add is the C. R. Laurence windows to the sliding door and window directly across from it for ventilation. Skeeter Beater makes screens for the front doors. Check out CVT at www.cascadiatents.com They are in Bend, Oregon. We considered buying an awning from them, but decided against using an awning.

Although this blog, Vitafamiliae, was posted in May, 2012 and compares their new NV passenger vs their Sprinter, it still has relevance if considering a NV no matter how it is configured. To get to this blog, you will have to search for Nissan NV passenger van blogs. It is a good read, particularly for those with large families. Click on the author's link to get to why they dumped the "Beast." I tried posting a direct link but it will bring you up to date on baby Finn and the center bin. You will just have to read the blog to get this...

I have had no problems with the NV 2500 OEM Firestone Transforce tires and wonder if there would be any advantage to putting on a set of NV 3500 OEM tires. I think they mainly are taller, which would be good for increased clearance. Are they load rated any differently? Doubt it... I was considering Michelin, but on the SMB forum, there have been some complaints about tread wear and harsh ride. Consumer reports still rates them as the best light truck tire. Firestone wasn't even mentioned, nor is there any mileage warranty. I would be surprised if anyone would get 70,000 miles on a set of Michelins on their NV. But, then again you get a credit for unused miles within a certain life span.

The first time I took our NV in for service, there was the unexpected choice of schedule 1 (severe) or 2, which basically is the same until 15,000 miles. Severe use has been described as daily stop and go driving, air on full etc. Our NV is not used this way, but in light of the posts regarding cooked transmission fluid, are there service items that should be completed no matter what the schedule dictates? I have no intention of modifying the engine or convert to 4 x 4. At 30,000 miles, there is the "Optional Premium Upgrade." In June, 2014 I opted for the "replace automatic transmission fluid." I did so given the constant heavy load and mountain driving. Does this fall into the "couldn't hurt" or unnecessary category. The total service cost $392. There is no difference in 1 or 2 service until 60,000 miles. I'm looking at replacing the AT fluid again and drive belts, the latter if not done sooner. Any other service recommendations?

Chris, Tucson is a Nissan town, but there are relatively few NVs on the road, mostly hvac businesses. They are still a novelty, if that is a truck term, so we notice them. Jim Click Nissan is in an auto mall, almost right next to Jim Click Ford and Jim Click Dodge. So, take your pick of a van. There are maybe 5 NVs visible on the lot. His shuttle NVs have no markings at all. Missed opportunity. When we travel in the west, we are lucky to see 1 or 2 NVs a day. Many places, no Nissans at all. When we start to see Altimas and Titans, there must be a dealership nearby. Maybe... There seems to be a direct correlation between no Nissans and no internet service. There is a lot of "No Service" out west and deep South. Daydreamin, I forgot to mention that Jim Click/Jeff will push what they call the "Jim Click Nissan Service Maintenance Schedule" that will cost $300 for the 15,000 service. This includes an oil (up to 5 qts, short of what your V6 needs) and filter change, oil system flush (sludge at this mileage?), tire pressure inspect/adjust, tire rotation (don't get me started on TPMS),brake service, battery service, fuel injection service. I fell for this after our Alaska trip and paid $328 (must have been the extra oil). My VW mechanic just laughed at me. Between guffaws, he was able to say it couldn't hurt. Easy for him to say: my credit card was traumatized. The 30,000 mile service will set you back $540. This time I was ready with service book in hand and said no. Later told the service manager, after their screw up, to never show me that service brochure again. My cynical self says this must be an offset for free life time service. Happy New Year!