2011 Nissan Leaf modifications (efficiency and utility)

[HaroldinCR]

Only reason I posted was trying to be helpful and possibly save you some $$. I had no idea what type bulbs they had.

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by HaroldinCR

Only reason I posted was trying to be helpful and possibly save you some $$. I had no idea what type bulbs they had.

And all help is appreciated. There are more than just one or two of us that would like to make our Leafs as practical as possible.

The difference between the two types of OE headlights are like in the picture. The LED's (blue car) have a more futuristic look with separate high and low beam sections, whereas the regular halogens (red car) have that distinct incandescent look in a single high/low bulb.



There are aftermarket LED bulbs, like for making the high beams LED. The blinkers (flashers/indicators) can also be changed for LED's. Or you can do what one guy did and put a type of trailer light controller in the rear hooked up to the brakes lights so that the red LED's work as both brake lights and blinkers.

Every little bit adds up you know. But the best bang for buck would start with the rear end aerodynamics:

[oil pan 4]

Mine looks like the blue car.

[oil pan 4]

The trailer hitch is on.
You reuse the tow loop 12mm bolts and secure the hitch with 3 nuts supplied by Curt on the rear passenger side. Instead of using the provided nuts I cut the nut plate off the old tow loop with my portable band saw and used it.
I figure the nut plate is stronger and there is no chance the nuts can back off.

[Isaac Zackary]

Awesome!

Just a note for anyone else reading this, there are two trailer hitch options that I know of for Leaves. (Or should I say Leafs?) One is the Curt hitch. I think they're rated for 1,500lbs tow and 150lbs tongue if I remember right. If you need a bit more there is the EcoHitch by Torklift Central that is rated for 2,000lbs and 200lbs tongue if I remember right. The EcoHitch also comes with two receiver size options, so you could get a full sized 2" receiver if you wanted on a Leaf.

I've heard of one guy that tows a rather large and heavy trailer full of hay with his Leaf. But a trailer hitch is also a good place to put a removable range extender. It could be on a trailer or in a basket behind the Leaf.

[oil pan 4]

I'm going to at least tow pallets, IBC totes on my trailer with the leaf.
The most pallets I have ever towed with my trailer was 18, which was probably less than 1,000lb. The heaviest I ever towed with it was about a ton of concrete, mortar and tile when I did the bathroom.

I already got the 1.5 Inch hitch it should handle most things.

Anything more than about 1,000lb should have a trailer with trailer brakes and a vehicle with brake controller.
I doubt the leaf will have any towing advantage over the firebird which weighs 3,600lb, has 11 inch wide ultra high performance tires and corvette brakes up front and the most I want to town with it is about 1,200lb.

[Isaac Zackary]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Anything more than about 1,000lb should have a trailer with trailer brakes and a vehicle with brake controller.

Very good advice, especially for a Leaf!

[NeilBlanchard]

The Torklift EcoHitch is a high quality unit, and their shipping packaging is as good as it gets. My brother has one on his i3 REx, and is putting one on their Bolt EV. He has towed 2,000 pounds, and it works very well. The i3 is short wheelbase, and with electric torque, towing a trailer is better than usual.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

The Torklift EcoHitch is a high quality unit, and their shipping packaging is as good as it gets. My brother has one on his i3 REx, and is putting one on their Bolt EV. He has towed 2,000 pounds, and it works very well. The i3 is short wheelbase, and with electric torque, towing a trailer is better than usual.

Torklift is more than twice the cost of any other hitch. I have one and like it, especially since it hides the crossbar under the bumper, but I was barely willing to buy it on sale given the premium you'll pay.

[oil pan 4]

That's alright, the curt hitch was $105 shipped with ebay coupon.