Battery tray mods

[delicat]

My truck still had the original Japanese batteries that were getting tired so after a long time trying to decide on my options I went with a single deep cycle gel battery.

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This particular one is similar to the Yellow top (Optra, Optima?). It's a deep cycle rated at approx. 110 min reserve and 920cca. I guess it's not a real deep cycle as it has good cold cranking amps, these are typically used on 4x4 vehicle with greater demand for extra lights, winch...

Jay (Tardisdeli) showed me his skills and innovation on this one. Thanks Jay!

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We decided to ditch the old tray and replace it with a single plastic tray (Marine application) and were able to fit it by only using existing taps. The tray was installed toward the driver's side as the frame rail is underneath and not much space could be used below.

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Doing so gave us a big opening that may be used to mount my WVO filter. I already had a bracket made to mount it behind the front passenger's side wheel (thanks EricN!) but this way might make it easier for access and line routing. Also, if Plantdrive can't figure out how to get us new filters than the extra space would alloy me to use a narrow Racor heated filter (or so I hope!).

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All in all a very clean install. I'm not worried about having this opening unsealed as I the rest of the engine bay isn't seal from the bottom...

So thanks again to Jay for this help and also getting the new stereo installed and all the old amps wired removed! We used an existing hole made in the firewall for those amps wire and installed a new hardwired electrical outlet which doesn't require the key to be on to function, nice! I almost forgot one of the most frustrating part of the evening, replacing the old Karaokee back stereo with a plastic pocket (compliment of Glenn at CCautos, Thanks Glen!) The rear unit doesn't come out easily, ohhh no! But it's done and I'm happy!

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The moral of the story, "If it ain't broken, modify it!"

David

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ps. sorry for the low quality pictures but we only had a cell phone camera... (Thanks Falco!)

[Hankster]

Nice job Delicat ! I might borrow that one

[delicat]

Go ahead!

One thing I realized is that now the starter spins like crazy (in a good way) so really no need to hold the key for more than a fraction of a second, very nice!

[jessef]

Very nice. That's on my to-do-list

[Adrock]

guess it beats swapping out 2 for 2 in -25 weather. It wouldnt start, so i had to change the stock batteries out. A lot of trips inside and hands under boiling water... thinking about it makes me angry inside.

If you have the stock battery(s) and plan to be somewhere cold, change them now. really... seriously.... you don't even know.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Adrock, is that you? Wow, you think you had it bad, how do you think the hand in the battery bay that holds the WVO filter feels...

[brewskie]

Hmmmm. Makes me think I should replace mine. The last time I had my oil changed at the shop I had them test my batteries. They said they were "ok". Not sure if they are the originals but they are Japanese for sure. I will have to ask Mardy. What do you guys recommend for a Deli living in Winnipeg? Is it difficult to switch to a single set up?

Cheers

Rob

[delicat]

Quite easy to change to a single set up but if you're from Winterpeg I'm not sure I'd go with a single set up, I'd probably do like Falco did and get two decent batteries to replace the old ones. That will give you better cranking on those cold days...

David

[patty]

do you have any clearer pictures on changing from the 2 battery set up to one? im gonna have to do this, looks like it should be simple but im not sure.