Nissan is dumping the conventionality of the monotonous cargo van with its Cargo X Project van – a hard-core, Cummins-powered rock crawler with a heavily modified suspension and solid axles. The Cargo X Project was headed up by legendary off-road builder and host of Spike TV’s Xtreme Off-Road, Ian Johnson and fully supported by Nissan. Needless to say, this isn’t the average fleet van.

The NV2500 van started life as a standard cargo van, powered by Nissan’s 5.6-liter Endurance V-8. It rode on an independent front suspension with a leaf spring suspension holding the solid rear axle in place. Rear drive and an open differential, combined with the rest of the road-going suspension wouldn’t cut it for rock crawling, so modifications began.

Though the NV Cargo X might seem more like a SEMA build, Nissan is bringing it to the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. It will be on display for show-goers to check out from February 11 through 20. Those not able to make the show can see all the details below.

Continue reading for the full review.

Exterior

Wow, what a difference a suspension lift, a Baja front bumper, and some proper wheels and tires can make! That tall suspension lift helps clear the 37-inch General Grabber X3 tires and the absence of the standard front bumper gives the NV a respectable approach angle. Off-road lights along the passenger side A-pillar help light the road without impeding forward visibility during the day. Beadlock wheels help hold the tires’ bead when aired down for off-roading. Manual locking hubs on the front axle add strength to the one-off 4WD system developed for this NV van. And if all else fails, a 10,000-pound winch hides behind the Baja bumper.

Beyond the utilitarian upgrades, the NV Cargo X project sports a custom wrap job that mimics mud and dirt splatter. The wrap also gives plenty glory to Nissan, the NV Cargo X name, and the sponsors that helped put the project together, including Dynatrac Axles, General Tire, and the Xtreme Off-Road show on Spike’s Power Nation series.

Interior

Note: Standard Nissan NV interior shown here.

Not much was done with the NV’s cockpit, so it still includes all the same design and features found on any random NV van. For those familiar with the NV, they know it was designed with inspiration and parts from the first-generation Nissan Titan pickup. That older design and feel is still present in the dash, sadly, though it won’t matter when hammering down a trail no other cargo van could dare travel.

Note: Standard Nissan NV interior shown here.

Nissan doesn’t let the van travel empty, though. The 234 cubic-feet of space behind the front seats is filled with goodies normally found in off-road support vehicles. That means the NV can act in a self-sufficient manner, not relying on dedicated support vehicle for extra parts or fuel.

Those goodies include an on-board air system, fluid containment and storage, a full-size spare tire, recovery ropes, recovery tracks, a high-lift jack, and even a portable welder, not to mention all the tools a gearhead could want.

Note: Standard Nissan NV interior shown here.0}

Nissan went all-out with this project, and didn’t just stop with a suspension lift. The stock 5.6-liter V-8 was swapped out for a 5.0-liter Cummins V-8 turbodiesel – the same engine found in the 2017 Nissan Titan XD. The engine makes an impressive 310 horsepower and a whopping 555 pound-feet of torque. It’s that low-end torque which makes this NV a perfect off-roader.

The Cummins swap is backed by a few other Titan XD parts, including the Aisin six-speed automatic transmission and the part-time, electronically controlled transfer case. Like any part-time system, the driver chooses to send power to the front axle when the going gets tough. The rear wheels receive engine power under normal operations.

Helping improve its off-road prowess, the Nissan NV’s independent front suspension was swapped for a Dynatrac solid front axle. Dynatrac is a huge name in the aftermarket off-road segment and offers everything from basic parts to full axle swap kits, just like the one found under the NV. Out back, the rear suspension retains the NV’s leaf spring setup, though it was lifted to match the front’s impressive height and to clear those 37-inch mud-terrain tires.

Drivetrain

Though we hardly expect Nissan to offer anything this extreme from the factory or dealership network, it does go to show how versatile these vans can be. Much of that can be attributed to the NV’s body-on-frame construction. The NV and Chevrolet Express and its GMC twin, the Savana, are the only full-size vans on the market to day that still use a ladder frame. And unlike the General Motors twins, the NV’s frame is fully boxed, giving it added strength and torsional rigidity.

All told, this van is an impressive machine. Not only can it traverse terrain not otherwise passable by a stock cargo van, it boasts the Cummins 5.0-liter V-8 turbodiesel. Now that’s a combination Nissan should definitely consider sending into production.