Switched from Transit to NV3500. Ready to mod.

[ArcticAthlon]

 Hi NVP'ers, 

 

This is my first post here and we are excited to be new owners of a Black NV3500 SL.  We are a family of 6, and we came on board from a 2018 Transit. I tried everything to be able to pull our 4600lbs Dry weight camper, but it was unbearable. We had to upgrade and just completed our first camping trip with the camper and the NV. What a difference it made. Wow. We flew to Atlanta to pick up our 2021 NVP on June 6th and drive it back to Houston, Texas. We are also late on the bandwagon for NVP's but we are glad we managed to get one. 

 

The market is crazy right now and it was amazing how we made the switch. We first test drove a NVP in 2019, but could only find them new and could not afford one at the time. I managed to find a loaded 10 seater 2018 Transit 150 with Ecoboost with only 900 miles on it for $36k. First owner's wife did not like it and wanted it sold, so he took a $11k loss in 3 months when he sold it to me. Fast forward to last week, when I sold the same van with 33k miles on it for $38k. Book value was $26k. crazy times. I think we managed to find the last available NVP for sale and have it at our house now. I called 40 dealers and was told the same thing over and over, that the used NVP was sold in 12 hours and I am the 200th person that has called about it in the last 2 days. I managed to find a lead from Nissans website, where they listed some dealers that supposedly had one available, but I had already called all of them except one. This van was still in transit and the mirror had been damaged prior to shipment. this delayed the arrival of the van and I was able to call the dealer and put a deposit down on it. I then had to wait 2 weeks for it to arrive in Atlanta and then we all flew there to pick it up. We had southwest points to burn and family had a blast.  

 

Reasons we did NOT like the Transit. 

1. Rear seats are so bumpy that my eleven year old was not able to read books. She would complain of getting headaches trying to read. when my wife would sit in the back, she would get launched when we hit bumps on road. 

2. Seats are terrible. too thin for adults, or kids in boosters. uncomfortable. 3 person bench in back of the 10 seater was like 200lbs+ and required 2 Hulks to get it out. stupid for preparing for trips. 

3. Kids could not hear anything in the back. They could not hear us from the front, and we would have to yell. They also could not hear music from a movie we would watch. we would have to blast it in rear and it would be unbearably loud in the front. 

4. No AUX with the upgraded Sync3 system, and Bluetooth had a 2 second delay. made movie watching very annoying, when seeing stuff happen before hearing it over the speakers. 

5. Its a Ford, and so everything started to creak and make noise. 

6. Detuned Ecoboost engine felt fast, but no transmission cooler or oil cooler. Engine and transmission temperatures were too high with around town driving. once we started to tow, I know that I would be looking at major issues just past 60k warranty mark. 

7. Biggest Reason!!!!! Abysmal tow rating. My camper was 4600lbs dry and loaded probably 5600 lbs. I could not drive more than 60mph and was getting passed by everyone going 80mph. This meant I was getting pushed around and every time a single small suv would pass, me, the draft would push me toward the passing car. This was even less fun when it was a Semi Truck. I had Air bags installed to make the ride a little better when towing, but it only helped slightly. This was the point when I fully realized that I am applying makeup to a Pig. Still ugly. It was draining both physically and mentally to drive just 6 hours with camper. I would avoid interstates at all cost and take back roads, but this mean that we would need even more time to make longer distance trips. 

 

I am planning all my modifications, many of which were also done in the Transit. 

 

Already done:

1. Installed Elbow Friend for comfort. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W0QISM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2. Installed 6" flexible antenna so we can do car washes. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QSTR8J2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3. Installed Air Horns to make my presence known. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087FBQTY1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

4. Got extra keys with remotes (cheap on amazon)

5. Installed APS iBoard Running boards. 54" on driver and full length (97") on passenger side. I also installed these on my transit and I liked them. Not difficult to install (except for the last bracket on passenger side where holes needed to be drilled) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BL69FX7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

6. Installed Reese Trailer Brake controller https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WX65YL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 with correct cable to match already existing connector. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NZMBVC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

7. Hood Bug deflector. https://www.ebay.com/itm/202776689394?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 

8. purchased $4 air filter for house at Home Depot and cut the shape out to make a rear AC filter. Used Duct tape to install material. I want to keep the Evaporator as clean as possible. and will probably just continue to use duct tape. you cant see the filter since it is mostly hidden by the seat, so no complaints from my wife. 

 

Soon to complete:

8. Fleece cover for center console lid. Hard plastic is a little too hard for comfort. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08C6K4DGV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

9. Front and rear cameras Front camera https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H852D49/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Rear camera in 3rd brake light https://www.ebay.com/itm/224369242001?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 connected to rear view mirror with dual lcd's in them. https://www.ebay.com/itm/114293202363?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2648. I used this same style 3rd brake light camera for my transit and it made it super easy to hitch up. plus i could watch the contents of my utility trailer while driving. The front camera will probably be installed in the grill, just above the center Nissan log. will depend on visibility. 

10. Dash camera https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X528FNE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

11. Hinges https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M8HLJV3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 that will secure plastic lid over the rear heat vents coming from under the driver and passenger seats. I will cut black plastic to cover the vents, but when hot air comes out of them, the hinges will open up and allow airflow. the way they are positioned, it is just too inviting for my kids to stuff and drop all kinds of things in there. I will probably use rivets to secure hinges. 

12. Pull carpet off and install Vinyl flooring. 12ft x 6ft is less than $50, and i will use carpet to make seat hole cutouts. https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMASTER-Grayson-Wood-Residential-Vinyl-Sheet-Flooring-12ft-Wide-x-Cut-to-Length-U5250405K792G14/311349209

13. Rear AC Vent upgrade. As soon as I am able to place an order for the kit (Flash Auto Detail out of Florida) I will get it. As part of the planned installation of the Vents, I will also put Kilmat sound mats on the roof and walls. 

14. If it is not too difficult to remove the floor, i will also sound insulate the floor. I don't think it needs, when compared to the Transit we came from, but I love projects and would love to see how quiet i can make the ride. We are planning on keeping this NV until the wheels fall off. 

 

Again, hello to everyone. 

 

 

[radin2son]

Welcome. 

 

How did Nissan not realize the NVP was marketable? Wrong question given Nissan’s financial woes. 

[ElCucuyGarage]

Any updates, OP? Sounds like a lot of cool stuff be some of it minor.