I just bought a 2012 Nissan NV 1500 for $700.
The catch? It has a perforated engine block.
This morning on the marketplace "Just Listed" in my city was a NV1500 for $600. There were no details or descriptions other than. "Needs an engine." I promptly sent a message. This seemed like the kind of thing that would get a lot of messages so I made it clear that I was local and had cash. The few photos showed the beer and wine distributor logo on the door parked right next to a semi with the same logo. No response from seller yet. I grabbed an envelope of cash and headed to their location 2 miles away. In the parking lot I saw a response that it was pending for someone to come look at it. I went in and met the general manager who is also the seller. He expressed his frustration at how many responses and measures he had to deal with. I offered an extra $100 over asking and told him that he could end his car salesmen career immediately. He agreed. I took a bill of sale, the title is filed at their hq in a nearby city. I have a Buddy with a diesel pickup lined up for the recovery tomorrow at lunch. 208k on the van. Missing weatherstripping for sliding door. Mostly good otherwise. Two keys and a remote fob. Couple of pictures. More to come. 
Plans: 1. Find replacement engine. 2. Something? 3. Profit.
Nicely done. Surely it's a 5.6 and there are surely a few wrecked Titans that can supply a good used engine.
As a NV1500 (half ton) it should be a 4.0L V6. This engine also found in Xterra.
The NV2500 (3/4 ton) was base 4.0L and optional 5.6L
The NV 3500 ( 1 ton) was 5.6L
Nice score!
In reply to GoLucky :
Great score 👍
I love these fix-n-flip threads, so I'll be following along.
The hot setup is to 4wd these with repurposed used Nissan parts.
In reply to John Welsh :
4x4 indeed. Do you have any info on this? That seems like way more work, but potentially quite profitable.
This is indeed a VQ40de like in frontiers, pathfinders and xterras and some others. The rebuilders list the same longblock for all applications. If this interchange is correct then there are 3 engines in my area prices from 1k to 1.7k. Anyone here have good info on the compatibities?
I went back and pulled out the battery to charge since it has been stationary for a while. This is in preparation for a tow home tomorrow afternoon. Needs hood struts.
Plenty of under hood space. What wouldn't fit in there? Apparently it is fun for birds to hang out here too.
Cargo van interior.
I'm told A/C works and pleased to see cruise control present. 
Updates to follow with progress.
The 5.6 is a damn decent engine; that's what I have in my 2500. If that will fit I'd strongly recommend it.
Mine has ~150k on it and has been fantastic.
Today I went with a friend who has a 4x4 Diesel and we towed the NV home. Not far, not eventful and that is how we wanted it. There's enough of a hill on my street to disconnect up from the house and roll into the driveway. I take advantage of it semi-regularly. New home. 
The old engine met its demise due to a stripped out oil drain bolt. The driver shut it down on the highway when the oil light came on and the drain bolt was MIA. The company towed it to the shop and they "fixed " the drain and added oil. It went fine for a few days and then KABAM! 
This is from underneath looking up at the pan.
I sarted taking things apart in preparation for engine removal. It is handy to have a project vehicle that is also its own parts storage.
There is seriously a lot of room under hood. Looks like a v12 would go in easy with the fan cover removed.
Short spurts for now because it is cold out.
I did a little 4x4 research and it looks like the hot ticket is the Titan XD suspension that bolts on. Ther is a Utah dealership with some videos up about the "all Nissan parts" 4x4 conversion. What I haven't seen is what hubs have 4x4 and 8 lug? The TitanXD is 6 lug and the NV uprights look to have a hole like a cv would go through but not broached splines. I wonder if it is a re-drill or what?
GoLucky said:
There is seriously a lot of room under hood. Looks like a v12 would go in easy with the fan cover removed.
You know what you have to do now
GoLucky said:
I did a little 4x4 research and it looks like the hot ticket is the Titan XD suspension that bolts on. Ther is a Utah dealership with some videos up about the "all Nissan parts" 4x4 conversion. What I haven't seen is what hubs have 4x4 and 8 lug? The TitanXD is 6 lug and the NV uprights look to have a hole like a cv would go through but not broached splines. I wonder if it is a re-drill or what?
Screen capture those vids before they disappear
