Stanton; yes...though maybe think of the extra weight of roughly 250lb as an extra person you're driving with.
Here are my thoughts in terms of: A) weight, B) suspension, C) suspension and D) overall reflections.
A) Weight:
This is worth pondering: 2011 Leaf with 62 kWh + just over 250 lb extra weight or...
1) Original Weights:
Approximate Original Weight of Nissan Leaf 2011: 4,322 lb / 1960 kg
Approximate Original Weight of Nissan Leaf 2019: 4,751 lb / 2155 kg
2) Difference between two: 429 lb / 195 kg
3) Approximate weights of battery alone:
64 kw weight: 410 kg (904 lb)
24 kw weight: 294 kg (648 lbs
Difference 116 kg (256 lb)
4) Difference after upgrade: Nissan Leaf 2019 (4751) - Nissan Leaf 2011 with 62 kWh (4322 + 256) 4578 : difference 173lb / 78 kg)
B) Suspension:
I haven't upgraded my suspension nor tires yet; noting that in my first test runs, it drives pretty good as it. In fact today, I'm going to take it to Ojai for the turns.
(On Ojai trip: enjoyed it mostly; and indeed did note some suspension differences; seems more dead than my other 2011 Leaf (because of extra weight and maybe springs / struts?). For the record, we had on two bicycles on the 2" hitch (TH990XT):
EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2" Item # 306-X7184
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/EcoHitch/306-X7184.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_qD_BRDiARIsANjZ2LDn1uQntnO5hnkXCCbsnrxr-_culma4rAikbxgzyuKsbVSEXZdYPXMaAjPEEALw_wcB
C) Mileage:
Mileage was great even with the load (2 passengers, 2 bikes); at one point guessometer put us at 300 miles left (if we had sustained 40 mph). By the time we finished our 30 mile trip; with some 65 mph stints, we still had over 200 miles estimate on the meter. So far, for my driving 75-86 mph, I get just under 200 miles (with surf racks and Thule hitch rack; will add data as I go along). If you think about my above calculation musings, because the 2011 Leaf weighs less than the 2019 model by about 173 lb / 78 kg, that should improve range, ever so slightly (see first calculations).
I'll note, to raise height (which might be unecessary), I'll go to 205 65 R16 at some point, maybe soon, as Costco has their Michelin sale this week: $436.92 before taxes / $460 otd / Michelin - Defender T + H).
In 10 years (2030) with a mileage loss of 8-10 miles or so per year, I'll still be around the 130 to 150 mark for distance; which isn't bad even if at that time when new car average batteries will probably give 750 miles +/- 150. Some battery loss estimates are at 4.2% per year.
For that rough-stimate calculation I'm using a blog:
"The Leaf has an average degradation rate of 4.2%, while the Model S is 2.3%. Good thermal management means better protection against degradation."
(source: https://www.geotab.com/blog/ev-battery-health/ )
So .042*230 (just under 10 miles a year: 10 years, 100 miles lost, or 130 miles +/- (shorter slower commutes probably in the 170s).
D) Recommendations:
Even though you're leaning to 40 kWh, I highly recommend that you think once more about going the 62 kWh for those reasons, and of course, am open to hearing counter thoughts to help me think this through. I'm pretty sure my installer will fly out to Texas — as he just did job in Atlanta even though he is based in LA County....).
He is not "Turn Key" per se though (yet), as he helped me source the battery, and then he came by to install it.
5/21 Update: Installer not reliable, doesn't return calls, has no voicemail nor physical address, you've been warned!