Nissan NV Passenger 4WD Conversion

[taaronbennett]

Hello out there! I know there are a couple other posts out there on this topic, so I'll try to limit it to questions that haven't already been answered.

 

We just had our 7th kid and need to upgrade our seating capacity. I really like the NV, and love the idea of a 4WD conversion on it!

 

Originally I was sold on a Quigley conversion, until I realized they were on the other side of the country. Then I was thinking Advanced, but I've heard some not so great reviews on their work. I found out today that Tim Dahle Nissan in South Jordan, UT does a conversion using all Nissan parts. They are endorsed by Nissan and keep the original warranty intact. (Ken Garff has it done by Advanced)

 

I really like the idea of getting the conversion at the time of purchase so I can roll the cost into the financing. However, I'm concerned as I've seen a couple of these get lemoned out, and I'm not sure how the conversion would affect that should I end up with a lemon. My wife thinks we should have the van for a while first to make sure it's not going to get lemoned, but I know if I go that road she'll back off the conversion later.

 

So in the end, I have 2 questions:

 

1. Has anyone had any experience with Tim Dahle's 4x4 conversion? Is it as good as Quigley? Should I be looking somewhere else?

 

2. Does anyone know how the conversion would affect the vehicles lemon law status? I know complete aftermarket would not be covered, and may even void the lemon law altogether; but what if its done through the dealer?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Tim

 

[radin2son]

All you lose is Advanced’s new NV 4x4 warranty for a shorter used NV 4x4 warranty if you buy your NV now. There have been no complaints on this forum about Advanced. You really need to call Advanced and bundle up your family in your Tundra and take the beautiful drive up 1-15 to SLC.

 

There have been no posts on this forum regarding the Titan 4x4 parts builds. Again, you need to call Tim Dahle Nissan to get details and take in both places.

 

Once you know let us know...

 

There are very few posts on this forum regarding NV problems, certainly none that “lemoned out.”

Edited January 8, 2019 by radin2son

[taaronbennett]

Found out something interesting today. Jack Jessop from Tim Dahle informed me that conversion not only uses strictly Nissan parts, but their conversion is covered under the original manufacturer warranty. No 3rd party coverage. This means that if anything goes wrong, repairs can be performed at any Nissan dealership. 

 

He also stated that he has seen other vehicles brought in under the lemon law, and Nissan included other dealer added features in the value.

 

I have a question up on a legal site in regards to official Lemon Law status. Will keep everyone here informed of what I learn.

 

Thanks!

Edited January 9, 2019 by taaronbennett

[radin2son]

Thanks for getting back on this. So far, posts show there are 3 dealerships installing Titan 4x4 conversions, one in UT, AZ and TX.

 

I still wouldn’t worry about NVs needing the “lemon law” with the 100k warranty in place. Did Jack specifically say what Nissans were involved? Also, he is wrong when he says “any” dealership can service or do warranty work on NVs. You have to go to commercial dealerships and there are very few in the west.

[taaronbennett]

Interesting... I didn't know about the other 2 dealerships. Do you know who they are? The guy I talked to at Dahle said they were the only one's. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time a dealer tried to upsell their own status...

 

I also understand that not just any dealer would be able to handle the repairs. Only those properly equipped. Putting aside the idea that I would probably only ever go back to the guys that installed it in the first place to have it fixed.

[radin2son]

Based on 2 posts, one quite awhile ago. The AZ dealership is Avondale Nissan. I could be wrong, but easy enough to check all the commercial dealerships (6?) in the Phoenix valley. Only one dealership in Tucson and none in Flagstaff.

 

The other post is from yesterday by ketchbaw (TX) under Wheels and Tires, Lift for NV 3500. PM “him” for details as “he” appears to be in the market for one.

 

You can google NV 4x4 conversions and Tim Dahle is the only dealer that comes up that uses Titan parts. You could try refining the search. I’m surprised no CA dealers are doing this.

Edited January 10, 2019 by radin2son

[GrooveChampion]

I don’t know about the Titan conversion, but I have been very pleased with my Advanced 4x4. From what I have heard the Quigley disables 4 low for some reason. 4 low came in handy when 27” of snow fell on New Years. I was still sliding around a bit when it was in 4 high.

[ketchbaw]

just for clarification, ketchbaw is talking to Tim Dahle Nissan in South Jordan, UT.  even though I live in texas I don't know of a dealership down here that does conversions.  Will get Dahle to build out what I need and then fly in to pick it up.

[radin2son]

Ketchbaw, Thanks for the clarification. Have they built any?

 

I just looked at Avondale Nissan. No mention of 4x4 conversions, so TD Nissan may be the only dealer doing this.

[taaronbennett]

I talked to Avondale, confirmed they are not doing it. They do not believe anyone in that area is either.

 

Ketchbaw, please keep us informed on how your experience goes!! Also REALLY curious to see how the warranty on parts is actually written up. They told me the original is extended to cover the modifications, but dealers have a tendency to ... embellish.

[czg76d]

I get this old post kinda died but any updates?

[radin2son]

Yes, sort of. Tim Dahle is the only Nissan approved dealership per their claim that does the Titan 4x4 to NV conversion. Under the latest

[czg76d]

Thanks!!

 

 

Yes, sort of. Tim Dahle is the only Nissan approved dealership per their claim that does the Titan 4x4 to NV conversion. Under the latest

[drewnv]

Just found this thread and wanted to report in.  Last fall, we had the Tim Dahle conversion done.  Also got a 3" lift.  We now have about 10k miles on the setup and could not be happier.  

 

We were in over 4 feet of snow around Christmas and it performed very well with chains on the rear stock Transforce tires and 4x4 on steep mountain roads.  I love the "shift on the fly" where we could be going, say, 20 MPH and hit the snow line and flip it on.

 

I've had some trailers out in the desert and the 4x4 does great in the sand.  We pull a 7k lb trailer.

 

Also the 3" lift really makes the vehicle look different.  Next up is new wheel+tire.  Looking at 35" tires on 9x20 or 10x20 rim.

 

Edited May 27, 2020 by drewnv

[radin2son]

Great info. Nice set up. Surprised more don’t go with roof top tents. 

[Shankerw]

So you're happy with the Tim Dahle conversion? What year is your van? I have a 2016 and I think they won't convert anything older than 2017. Thinking about Performance 4x4 to do it.

 

I did get bigger, more aggressive tires and so far haven't been in a situation I couldn't get out of with some careful driving. 

 

Trying to decide if the 4x4 conversion is worth it.

[radin2son]

MilesD Saw your post on the Sportsmobile forum. I was looking for something else and came across an album on this site called NV Overlanding Setup that features under-bed or seats out storage drawers as well as some other great stuff. 

Shankerw posted this. 

Edited June 15, 2020 by radin2son

[drewnv]

This was a 2019 they converted.

 

I am not sure if it's worth it, either.  We end up in deep snow in wintertime so I feel like it's a nice insurance policy for that.  However, chains on RWD work fine for lots of people.  Considering the cost adds a sizable % to the cost of the van, it's borderline.  I'm glad I did it but do wonder sometimes if it was needed.  

 

It's just that few times when you really DO need it that you're glad you have it.  

[radin2son]

I suppose it can be worth it depending on where you live, weather, use of van and knowing when to turn around.

[VanDad]

On 5/27/2020 at 1:26 PM, drewnv said:

Just found this thread and wanted to report in.  Last fall, we had the Tim Dahle conversion done.  Also got a 3" lift.  We now have about 10k miles on the setup and could not be happier.  

 

We were in over 4 feet of snow around Christmas and it performed very well with chains on the rear stock Transforce tires and 4x4 on steep mountain roads.  I love the "shift on the fly" where we could be going, say, 20 MPH and hit the snow line and flip it on.

 

I've had some trailers out in the desert and the 4x4 does great in the sand.  We pull a 7k lb trailer.

 

Also the 3" lift really makes the vehicle look different.  Next up is new wheel+tire.  Looking at 35" tires on 9x20 or 10x20 rim.

 

What wheel/tire combo did you end up with? Similar set up here and wanted to know how big I can go. We do a lot of desert/mountain off-grid camping with my kiddos too.

[Vadderung]

I know this is an old post at this point but I have to say, I did the TD conversion and put a 3 inch lift with 18x9 rims and I get compliments everywhere I go. I also take it off-road often. It’s the perfect family adventure van. I have pulled out many stuck 4x4s. Definitely worth going to Utah for. The convention was about 12k over cost of the van but comes with a 150k bumper to bumper warranty including all 4x4 parts. 

[Benk]

I'm looking at buying a new high top NV and converting it to 4 x 4 at Tim Dahl. I was quoted 13.5k for the conversion, then an addition 1.5k for the 3" suspension lift.

 

The lady I spoke to at Tim Dahle didn't know much about the conversion, so I have a few questions for forum members:

 

Apparently the addition of the front differential lifts the front end, so they recommend a leveling kit for $650, which is suspect is blocks out back? How is the 3" suspension lift different? ie blocks, springs, shackle, strut tower spacers, etc...

 

If they are just adding blocks and changing shocks, I can do that, though the strut lift is sometimes a little tricky and it would need to be aligned; I also want that work warranted.

 

I understand that up to a 35" tire will fit the lifted vans, which is a really big wheel for a lifted high top van, so I'll probably go wit a shorter and wider tire.

 

Planned use is light off-roading and snow use in the winters (Tahoe).

 

I drive a Ram Promaster FWD which is fair in slippery conditions, previously owned a first gen Sprinter RWD which was downright dangerous in slippery conditions.

[radin2son]

Rather than wait for TD conversion owners to see your post, you should PM them. 

 

TD still has a good supply of NVs in stock. 

[peace]

I bought mine at Advanced in 2018 - but financed it through Ken Garff.  Custom everything, worked directly through Advanced.  I flew to UT and drove it home to Seattle.  Issue happened about a year later with one of the conversion pieces that should have been covered by the factory warranty.  The dealership here in Seattle didn't know what to do with it.  They called Ken Garff who didn't know what to do with it.  Finally the dealership here called Advanced and Advanced shipped up the part, covered cost of everything and we were good to go.  Advanced claims they are 100% drop shipped everything through Nissan, just like the other guys.  So my 10 cents is that Advanced is just as awesome as Tim Dahle.