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Nissan
NV Cargo X
The Nissan NV Cargo X project vehicle, arguably the most extreme version of Nissan Commercial Vehicles’ flagship NV Cargo van ever created, was built in partnership with legendary off-road builder Ian Johnson. The NV Cargo X stands over seven-and-a-half feet tall on 37-inch tires and is powered by a Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel transplanted from a Nissan TITAN XD full-size pickup.
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Nissan
NV Cargo X
With 22” of ground clearance, the Cargo X made short work of the Pyeatt Draw trail.
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Nissan
NV Cargo X
After all the modifications, the Cargo X now stands over seven and a half feet tall.
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Nissan
NV Cargo X
Prodigy suspension and Dynatrac axles give the Cargo X the teeth it needs to dig into a tough trail.
By Budd Stanley, photos by Nissan
We’ve all had fantastic ideas that pop in our heads, particularly when it comes of off-road projects. What if we found a $500 Toyota truck and turned it into a pre-runner, or lifted and put meaty tires on a VW Syncro Vanagon, or exocaged a Jeep Renegade and threw 31’s under it - all crazy yet alluring plans that run through the mind of a gearhead.
However, even we must admit that turning a Nissan NV 2500 into a rock crawler was nowhere on our list of possible future projects. Apparently, it was on fellow Canuck, Ian Johnson’s mind. He and Xtreme Off-Road took delivery of a Nissan NV 2500 and had some grandiose plans to say the least.
What you see here is the result. Dubbed the Nissan NV Cargo X, the once sedate cargo van is now capable of conquering just about any trail, and has already traversed the Pyeatt Draw trail, tucked between Diamond Rim and Mogollon Rim outside of Payson, Arizona. The goal was a rock crawler that could tackle any trail and would be completely self-sufficient. "When I looked at the NV Cargo, I saw a hard-working van with a heavy-duty foundation. And I also saw possibilities for a rock crawler that could serve as its own support vehicle," said Johnson.
Starting with a stock NV 2500 HD Cargo, Johnson and his team first ditched the
front independent double-wishbone suspension and multi-leaf rear suspension and replaced it with something a little more radical. A custom-modified off-road suspension system consisting of Prodigy coilover shocks, give enough suspension travel and wheel well clearance to fit a set of 37-inch General Grabber X3 tires. Dynatrac solid axles loaded with lockers were fitted to handle the rough terrain and slippery situations.
Next, out came the factory 5.6L gasoline V-8 engine and in its place Johnson fit a Cummins 5.0L V-8 Turbo Diesel borrowed from Nissan's Titan XD pickup. This swap yielded an increase in power now giving the Cargo X 310 hp and, more importantly for rock crawling, a hefty 555 lb-ft of torque. The Titan XD also donated its heavy-duty Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive system.
Rock crawling is a destructive affair, so the Cargo X had its stock bumpers replaced with custom tube versions that dramatically increased both approach and departure angles. Other exterior modifications included the installation of a custom LED lighting system, 10,000 lb front-mounted winch and a custom skid plate.
Next came the challenge of the cargo end of the NV Cargo X. "With the NV Cargo, the customization potential is practically limitless. Its spacious interior cargo is designed to upfit and outfit for just about any type of job," said Johnson.
With 234 cubic feet of available cargo space, the build team decided to go all out – equipping it with all the goodies usually found in an off-road support vehicle. Ultimately, the cargo bay was filled with an onboard air system, fluid containment and storage, full-size spare, recovery rope, recovery tracks, high-lift jack, portable welder and the always important tool bag.
Nissan NV Cargo X Specifications
- Wheelbase: 149.5 inches
- Length: 240.6 inches
- Width: 99.5 inches
- Height: 92.0 inches
- Ground Clearance: 22.0 inches
- Engine: Cummins 5.0-liter V8 Turbo Diesel
- Horsepower: 310 horsepower @ 3,200 rpm
- Torque: 555 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
- Transmission: Heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin automatic
- Suspension: Custom front, heavy-duty leaf spring rear
- Tires: 37-inch General Grabber 3X mud terrain tires
- Exterior: Custom black and white paint, off-road LED lighting system, 10,000-lb. front-mounted winch, tube bumper with custom skid plate
- Interior: Magnetic door stopper, on-board air system, fluid containment and storage, recovery rope, full-size spare, recovery tracks, high-lift jack, portable welder, tool bag