Longboardguy

The walls and ceiling are thin, 3/16 ? or 1/4 ? inch sanded plywood, (not door skins), from the Home Depot. Super easy to work with and lightweight. The panels were cut and fitting, and then installed, so the screw holes become predrilled for a quick reinstall. Then I removed the panels and covered them with the 6'x 12' ? rolls of gray carpet from the Depot. Be sure to check the dye lot number on the rolls of carpet to be sure they are the same.. I used 3m spray adhesive. Use the good stuff 90 high strength. I used foil backed rigid foam panels used in the flat areas glue in with caulking gun tubed marine adhesive, and R15 Kraft faced fiberglass in all the cavities, irregular shaped areas, and nooks and crannies. All the seams and holes were taped up before reinstalling the covered wall panels. I would prefer to sleep north and south but my sofas are only 56 inches long. The width, east/west, is about 65 inches. I usually end up diagonally. I am 5'-11" tall on a good day. If I was camping more frequently, I would have made a longer bed. I am not happy with the plank flooring that was used. Where he sun hits it, it heats it up and expands and then contracts. The side seams will open up a tiny bit to let sand in and also buckles up to create a ridge. It will be replaced soon with a solid sheet vinyl flooring. I hope this helps answer your questions. If you need more info or some pics, just ask.

I have read several posts from owners looking for the replacement small lower convex mirror for the tow extendable style. I do not know what years the extendable tow mirror was available so I posted this as fitting the 2018, which is what I have. I found one on amazon that fits perfectly: Burco 3943 https://www.amazon.com/2012-2016-NISSAN-NV1500-Passenger-Replacement/dp/B0134QC73O This is for the replacement glass convex mirror and the foam adhesive pads only. No black plastic swivel mounting plate included. It is a real glass mirror, not a plastic mirror. The description does not indicate right or left, tow style or even fitting a 2018 year. It will fit correctly for both the left or right sides. The instructions state that it can be installed on top of the existing glass, or by completely removing the broken glass first. I installed mine on top of the existing glass since mine was only cracked. If I was to do it again, I would remove the old mirror glass first so the mirror would be recessed into the backing plate for a cleaner install. There ya go.

Last2ConvertNV, I installed the DVT swivel a couple months ago and the install procedure went smoothly. Your posted install tips above will be helpful to anyone that will be doing this DTV install. The swivel base transforms the rear cargo area into a living room. I did remove the seat base entirely before doing the install. This also allowed me to have better access to the bolts, test fitting and easier access to thoroughly clean everything and lube the tracks before the final install. I do not use the center console nor do I put my fridge between the seats. I ended up with 4 concerns with the DTV swivel base that I felt will need some of my attention and modification in the future. 1.) I found that when the seat is swiveled around to face the rear of the van, the seat would slide only a few inches towards the rear of the van, not allowing the seat back to recline very far at all. That is not a deal breaker for me since I personally do not need it to recline very much. It does make access to the glove box a tighter squeeze. 2.) With the seat is installed on the DTV swivel base and the seat facing forward, the seat now becomes off centered above the rails about 1 and 3/4 inches towards the driver's side. This does make the center aisle narrower. This may have been designed this way to allow the seat to swivel without having to open the door for better clearance. I have only swiveled the seat from the outside with the passenger and slider doors opened. 3.) The center bearing of the DTV swivel base is not centered on the mounting plate. When the seat is swiveled to face the rear, the seat is now another 2 inches further in to the aisle. 4.) The seat does not feel solid on the swivel base. Both the top and bottom base plates flex when I lean back in the seat. When I hit the seat or the seat back firmly with my hand, the seat base plates flexes enough to let the seat bounce, rocking back and forth like seat is mounted on a spring. I contacted DTV support about this we went in circles until they stopped responding to my emails and texts. I had installed a swivel base into my previous ford e350 van and the base did not have any of these issues. That seat base was not a DTV base though. Different van, different base. The DTV base currently appears to be the only option for the NV van. The Swivel Base feels solid and is a little heavy, the price is fair, and the shipping was fast. It works good the way that it is. Some day I will be pulling the entire assembly out and will be making the modifications to the base to fix the issues I have with it. It may take some welding, maybe adding another metal plate to realign and strengthen. Let me know if you have experienced these same issues with your install. longboardguy

My reply from Hypertech says they do not have a model that works with the Nissan NV3500 In my case, my e350 V10 did bog down with the taller tires and it was especially felt when on an uphill grade. Correcting the speedo made a very noticeable difference. I was glad I did it.

I had used the Hypertech speedo calibrator to adjust for the taller tires on my 2006 ford e350 4wd. I was able to calibrate it perfectly. It took a few tries to get it done but was easy enough. Correcting the calibration also corrected the trans shifting timing too. Yep. Computers. Just search odometer calibrator. There maybe one compatible with the Nissan NV.

I have considered starting a thread about NLA parts unique to the NV series. What will I need someday, and what should I pick up now just incase? The only part I went looking for, so far, that made me hesitate was a rear back up sensor on the bumper. Mine works but the bezel was smashed. The dealership wanted about a million dollars for the correct part. I ordered a cheepo from eBay but was wrong color, bad fit, wrong shape. The availability of new parts at the dealership may dry up. I think eBay will be the best source for NOS or used OEM parts. I'm sure I can easily keep my van on the road for the next 10 years, or until they take my drivers license away from me. I managed to find many obsolete OEM parts for my MB 560sl restoration on eBay. This ebay listing on 10/11/24 may be the air box 16500ZE01A you were looking for: $50 or best offer shipping $35. https://www.ebay.com/itm/375509090629?fits=Make%3ANissan&_skw=nissan+nv+air+filter+box&epid=1211261803&itmmeta=01J9Y6FB5FND2PMDF0DZGVWYWD&hash=item576e160145:g:ktMAAOSw6yxmmGLB&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmQ5HyysymJKepej28PSrd8BpCnqxub2I7hDe1OdwkTWegB9FKBfcXqvHKn--i0udY49mbQxvHmvEUqhb3SoLlt3%2FLVKk%2Bb5X8q0VCaPBEnBtIhIaF%2F4Cm4m8tFk0vsi8utD6BkPLQWfepCfOgIgwIIt0Ka%2BUIN%2BEkeEDdts7uo3FonnzdTpdETzoVVk5LQoKj4JXsi0mPqlVMEhNNfJeQ%2Fq6m%2FaPsNw6%2B7ESvPvciylSybLSbsg4qFvf%2BGvPVal6aPR5lnSeMO%2FxoTAFyWY5xTjOnqv%2B1Jl4A3Py%2BWIoFzWQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR_KyvcbPZA

Everyone's needs are different. This build may not work for you but it is what I currently think I want. It's all subject to possible modification and change as I build this. This is a "work in progress" posting so there is still a lot to do. It is kinda like a house, where there is always something to do or finish, redo, and things that will never get finished. I came from having multiple Ford Econoline vans, trucks, motorhome and campers since 1968. The last one was a Ford e350 4x4 fiberglass high top camper. I could go anywhere and be self contained off grid. Prior to the covid years, I frequently traveled month long camping treks along the coastlines in Baja Mexico. Things are different now and my needs have changed. At 72 years old and a botched knee replacement, my surfing expeditions have become much shorter and the camping is now oriented more towards shorter vacations and safer campgrounds with the grand kid. I'm in So. California near the coastline and have never been much of a "snow person" and I really do not want anything to do with that stuff. I get an allergic reaction while near it. Chills, runny nose, shakes, little bumps all over my skin... Textbook allergy symptoms. My Nissan NV build will be not intended for full time living, vanlife, or cold weather camping. Almost all of my cooking is done outside on a 8 ft folding table using a Coleman propane stove grill combo or a portable butane single Burner stove. My van: 2018 Nissan NV3500 cargo 5.6 V8 130,000 miles on the odometer. It's previous life was a AC & refrigeration service vehicle. No signs of any abuse. Excellent service history, no accidents except for the bent front bumper, tiny amount of rust on a couple the roof rack mounts. It runs strong and considerably quieter and smoother than the E350 Quigley did. What has been done is: Replace dented front bumper and Raptor coated Ripped out the existing shelves, Divider, console, rubber floor mat and roof mounted ladder carrier Added sliding windows to the slide door and left side along with the 2 rear windows Insulated and panel walls, doors and ceiling and install the flooring Built a convertible dinette bed BougeRv 1500wh 12 volt Power station with built-in 2200W inverter BougeRv 53 qt. Refrige freezer Tiny 1985 vintage Sharp Munchkin 600W Microwave Cassette toilet stored in a pull out box/stool/table DTV Passenger seat swivel Added second grab handle to side door pillar Lagun swivel table mount and Table Next On the list: Add full extension pull out drawers under the dinette seats Make a removable cushion for the stool box Make insulated window covers Dimmable LED lights in the ceiling Maxxfan install LED light outside above the sliding door Lots More interior trim and detail to do Way down the list: LineX or Raptor the roof to prevent any future rust. There are to many nooks and crannies that can retain dirt, ocean salts and water. Slight lift for better ground clearance Build a roof rack Maybe an awning mounted to the rack Tire upgrade Custom step/running boards Outside water Spray port to rinse off bodies, feet, dog slobber No plans to install: custom rims or huge tires Heater These pictures are where I am today on this build. I will add to this string as the project progresses.

This Nissan forum is really quiet. I guess I should do my part and post something. So, I purchased this 2018 NV3500 5.6 in July of 2024 after selling off my 2006 Ford e350 4wd high-top home build camper. I am no longer chasing waves in remote Baja California locations. The difference between this and the Ford makes the Nissan feel like a "New" van to me. Quieter, more power, more headroom, arm room and leg room. The NV came with the full Adrian shelving system, cab divider and roof ladder rack. All of that stuff was ripped out on the first day along with the center console and floor mat. I now have a clean slate to work with. I will soon start posting about my build within the conversions sub forum.

I recently Purchased a 2018 NV3500 5.6 Cargo I have a Gazillion questions and will post them individually in the appropriate sub forums. I have been a Ford e350 user for surf/camp/exploring/daily driver since 1968. I distinctly remembering seeing my first NV back in 2012? ish. I thought it was awesome. I was right. This is gonna be fun. longboardguy