Zachary

Just posting this here as a note-to-self as well as for anyone else who ends up with a similar issue. One of our seat pods had a mount that would not unlock when you pulled the strap. At first I feared something was broken in the mechanism, however the actual problem ended up being relatively minor once we got a good look inside the mount. The strap pulls a cable that wraps around under the seat support and ends with a little plastic clip that attaches to a nub on the mount latch. In our case, that clip had become disattached and the cable was hanging loose in the mechanism. It looked at first like something had broken inside, but after comparing to the working latch system, we realized the clip just needed to be snapped back into place. After doing that, everything worked good as new.

Decided against this mod, as it looks like our mounts will require more modification than I’m comfortable doing, and we came up with another seating configuration that we like even better.

Installation couldn’t have been easier. The kit even included a small trim removal tool (I had one of my own, but it was a bit oversized for the job, so the included tool was handy). I was a little afraid I was going to break a lens with all the prying, but everything came out and went back together in one piece. Very happy with the result! A question: does anyone know how to remove the license plate light covers? Can they be pried out as well, or do I need to remove the trim piece on the door?

The kit arrived, so hopefully this weekend I'll be putting in at least the cabin lights and door lights - license plate and LED fog lamps may have to wait till Spring, as it's getting to be awfully cold for exterior work (and the NV doesn't fit in our garage).

Sorry to (once again) bump up an old thread, but I'm trying to do this same modification of the 2nd row, and the problem I'm running into is that the seat's rear locks don't seem to want to engage even after many repeated "bounces" and drops. I'm going to try lubricating them with some WD-40 this weekend and trying again, as I really like the rear-facing seating arrangement.

Sorry to bump this old thread, but I just replaced a shattered (driver side) fog lamp on my 2015 SL, and I wanted to add a couple observations. Removal of the broken lamp was mostly straightforward, except for the upper left (if facing the lamp lens) Torx screw. Even with removing the mud guard, I found there wasn't space for me to maneuver a ratchet or screwdriver with the T15 bit. There seems to be an angled bracket immediately behind the mount that gave me only a an inch or so of space directly opposite the screw head. After much experimentation and strain, I discovered than an Allen wrench was short enough to fit into the gap and turn the screw (albeit, only 1/4 turn at a time). Tedious and a bit painful, but I did manage to remove the old lamp and then repeat the tedious and painful process to secure the new one using the original screws.

Curious: who actually runs this forum? Are there maintenance/hosting costs? It certainly is a valuable resource and I'd hate to see it go offline. Just the archives alone would be worth a small subscription fee, IMHO.

Just got the van back from Pickup Outfitters, running boards and BFGoodrich K02s installed. Still need to get some proper pictures, but we're pretty happy with the result so far. ?

Well, from what I can tell, the reviews for HID Kit Pros are solid, and I'm a sucker for a good all-in-one kit. Also ordered their LED conversion for the foglights. Will report back on the results. I've already installed the LED Torchbeams on LAD's suggestion, and they work great! Hoping to have an all-LED setup in the next week or two.

Hmm… this kit looks really interesting- even let’s you choose colors per row and has an option for the front door lights and license plate. https://hidkitpros.com/shop/2012-2018-nissan-nv-led-interior-lighting-package/ I’m pretty sure it’s overpriced vs sourcing the actual lights myself, but getting everything in one kit sounds appealing. Has anyone else heard of these?

So there’s already a very old thread on this, but so far as I can tell all of the linked products are discontinued, so I’m starting a new thread to chronicle my efforts to track down LED bulbs that work as replacements for my NV’s anemic ceiling-mounted fireflies. ? If anyone already has a good lead on replacement bulbs, please chime in! Otherwise, I’m going to experiment with a few options and report back on the results. ?

Okay, I think I may have answered my Plasti Dip question: looks like it's possible to repair the peeling sections using a thinner blend and recoating. I've ordered the thinner and a couple cans of black Plasti. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can get those spots patched before winter sets in in earnest.

In addition to my mods list, I've got a couple of (hopefully minor) repairs to make/get done on the new van: - The driver's side fog lamp assembly was shattered by a rock - hoping this is the correct replacement: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QNR9ML1/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A1OSL9HFQPQXJX&psc=1 - There's a ding on the passenger side door and a couple very small chips on the front hood; planning on touching up with Nissan Arctic Blue: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AVVFCRI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Question: The front grill was done up in black Plasti Dip, which is starting to peel in a couple places. I could peel it off the rest of the way and return to the OEM chrome look, but I'm wondering if it's possible to get a can of the stuff and "patch" up the missing portions? https://www.amazon.com/Plasti-Dip-Multi-Purpose-Coating-Aerosol/dp/B07QCPXXBV/ref=sr_1_4?crid=18IPWL681E4H6&keywords=black+plasti+dip&qid=1667684651&s=automotive&sprefix=black+plastic%2Cautomotive%2C167&sr=1-4 Lastly, the pre-purchase inspection turned up very minor (almost imperceptible) oil drip from the transfer case input seal, as well as some signs of wear on one of the front wheel bearings. Both would require Quigley parts to be shipped to a shop, so I'll need to find a good mechanic outfit that is willing to work with me/Quigley to get those dealt with. I was able to leverage the repairs to negotiate the final price a bit, which helped seal the deal, so hopefully the shop's estimate turns out accurate and it won't break the bank to get the new components installed.

It’s a done deal! Now the 11-hour drive home. So excited!

@CT NV I know this is an old thread, but did you get a resolution on this issue?

After a productive walkthrough via FaceTime, we have a virtual deal on the Quigley-conversion! Flying out Friday morning to give it a final examination/test-drive, visit a local mechanic for inspection and a last-minute oil change, and to seal the deal. Excitement! ?

I'm still moving funds around and counting the days till I get out to see the vehicle in person and test-drive it, but the conversations with the current owner are looking promising, and I'm getting more excited about upgrading from our 2014 Ford Expedition EL to a single-owner, 2016 NV3500 SL with Quigley conversion and 2" lift. Use case: family mover (5 kids), travel-trailer tower (2017 Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 230BHXL - 7000-ish GVWR), and occasional "stuff mover" (building materials etc - not on a regular basis though). Home base is in St Louis, MO. We usually make an annual trip (with the trailer) out to the PNW, and our Expedition has been faithfully making the trip ever since we purchased it in 2018. Hoping that the NVP will serve us just as well or better - and what I'm reading on these forums is very encouraging. ? I'm making this thread as a "note-to-self" to keep track of modifications/upgrades I'd like to make once I bring the van home. Please feel free to critique, suggest, or banter as you'd like. I'll update this OP as I check things off or add/update/remove items. Immediate: Garage opening modification ?, DIY (okay, not really a mod, but something that'll need to be done ASAP with winter incoming) Running boards - DIY Installation at Pickup Outfitters was reasonable enough, and I could use the time other ways O-MEGA II: https://www.luvernetruck.com/part/584100-571164 DONE Winter tires - previous owner had a set of extra rims for his AT tires, I'm planning on going with BFGoodrich's AT KO2s, also installed at Pickup Outfitters DONE LED Headlights - DIY, going with the Torchbeams on @Local Apparent Friday's suggestion: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SZMVNC7/ref=ewc_pr_img_4?smid=A1PZIO7FIUJK04&psc=1 DONE Mid-term (prior to first trailer-hauling trip): Trailer brake controller - DIY, Teknosha P3: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html Rear suspension - DIY, Timbren TNRNVHD: https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Nissan/NV+3500/2016/TNRNVHD.html?VehicleID=201619511. Reverse seating - UPDATE: Not doing this after all Window deflectors? - DIY, wondering if these in-channel versions will fit? https://www.carid.com/wellvisors/in-channel-smoke-front-window-deflectors-mpn-3-351ns002.html?singleid=4751198046&url=81692837 Bumper guard - DIY, considering: https://www.amazon.com/TAC-2016-2018-2012-2018-Exterior-Accessories/dp/B07CZVR95L/ref=d_pd_day0_sccl_2_2/139-1048267-7556652?pd_rd_w=kkhXl&content-id=amzn1.sym.8ca997d7-1ea0-4c8f-9e14-a6d756b83e30&pf_rd_p=8ca997d7-1ea0-4c8f-9e14-a6d756b83e30&pf_rd_r=BAH15FFHWT1F5E3BVW9G&pd_rd_wg=Kibsd&pd_rd_r=f7666031-c861-4255-aaf3-fab1a73bc406&pd_rd_i=B07CZVR95L&psc=1 Long-term/wish-list: Roof-rack? Open to recommendations! Do something about the pitiful fuel capacity - we occasionally do trips that take us far afield from service stations, and it would be reassuring to have some additional fuel storage (like external fuel cans on the back, if such things exist?). CarPlay-compatible stereo (without messing up the RVC)

Hello again! I know this forum has gone quiet for a while, but I wanted to bump it and find out if there are any 2016 NV drivers (especially 3500s, but all models welcome) that are still active and have any experiences to share. I'm seriously looking at pulling the trigger (just waiting for the funds to land in the right buckets, at this point) on a single-owner 2016 3500 SL with Quigley 4WD conversion (+ 2" lift), with 117K miles. I'm doing this mostly remote as the vehicle is out of state, so I'm trying to gather all the info I can on what I should be looking for before I make the (hopefully one-way) flight out to see the vehicle in-person. So my questions: for those driving a 2016 (or thereabouts), are there any particular issues, components, or other items I should be looking out for? Are you still satisfied with the vehicle? If there are threads like this already on the forums, I apologize! I'm still catching up here. ?

@Local Apparent Friday Thank you for the advice! I wasn't aware of the engine issues in the 2019. That's really good to know - the fact that there's a certified warranty helps alleviate that concern somewhat, but your point is well taken. The current hold up on the 2019 is that the dealer can't find the back row of 4 seats (seriously... how does a dealer lose their car seats?), and they tell me new ones will be 9K installed (what's there to install exactly?!). Looking online, used seats seem to run 1600-2k, so I'm hoping to use that as leverage to get them down on price. Still, it's going to be pricey, enough that a 4x4 conversion would be out of the cards for at least a couple years. I've been in conversation with the owner of the 2016 Quigley conversion, and I'm getting more excited about that possibility. It sounds like the owner is a real NV fan, did regular oil changes/scheduled maintenance, and generally babied the vehicle. It had some axle work done under warranty around 99K miles, otherwise he says it's been problem free. Depending on what I hear back on Monday (on both vehicles), I'm tentatively planning on getting a (round trip, just in case) ticket to Denver to test drive it and possibly drive it home. Regarding "go over the conversion", are there any specific I should be looking for on the Quigley? I'm not a mechanic but I do my own basic maintenance and repairs (water pumps, alternators and the like), so if the component in question has a name I can usually find my way around. ?

@Local Apparent Friday Unfortunately I decided to bow out of the deal, as they were giving me too little for our trade in to close the gap on the purchase price. It was a nice one too, 2020 with a little over 60K miles. I'm now trying to decide between a 2019 (48K miles), which is Certified Pre-Owned from a Nissan dealer (with a 100K/7 year warranty), and shockingly is cheaper than the 2020 we were originally considering, and an older (but much more affordable) 2016 (117K miles, single owner, Quigley 4x4 conversion). The 4x4 is a big want, if not a must, for me, and the higher-milage is partly offset by the fact that it's single-owner and appears to have been very well-maintained. Ugh, choices!!! LOL.

Hello folks! I'm looking at purchasing a 2020 NV 3500 SL - I've already made a (refundable) deposit, and am scheduled to make the drive to Springfield (2.5 hours from home) on Monday to test-drive and sign the paperwork. We have 5 children (and we wouldn't say 'no' to another :), and we feel it's time to move to a proper van after years of driving SUVs (current ride/prospective trade-in is a Ford Expedition EL). One major factor in the decision to go with an NVP is the towing capacity - we pull a travel trailer on our roadtrips and there doesn't seem to be any other reasonably modern vehicles that can do that + seat 8+ passengers comfortably. The NV 3500 looks to be our dream-ride, if everything goes as advertised. Anyways, I've enjoyed reading the forum posts here and catching up on the NV fandom that I didn't know existed until this week. Open to any advice on what to watch out for when we go to the dealership to check out our hopeful next family car. And I'm sure I'll have questions for the experts here in the coming months. Cheers! ?