Finally fired mine up today after a 9 week rest. I wouldn't have yet but it is soo nice (44*) and I need to move my sister and my kid both sometime next month. Yippie skippie. Last time I drove it was december 5. I need to get my batteries relocated and new cables on soon. Cables are junk, had a hard time getting a good connection, finally did. Had 2 new batteries to put in, gave one to dad to put in his V10. I had to put the one in just to start it, as the old ones were just not doing it. Going to take that one out and I think get some optimas so I can mount them in any postition I want. It's gotta get done soon though.

I took a couple of videos of it starting and running for the first time in 9 weeks. Hardly any smoke after I finally got through the battery dilema...

Click on the pic if you want to see the video

 

"No Smoke!" best quote of the movie! No but I'm glad she fired right up... didn't have much doubt though

 

I was amazed how much better it started on just one new battery. I think the batteries are the main reason I've not started as well the last year. Ya, it was plugged in for a while and 44 out but it sat for a long time. When it started it was like it was running a few hours earlier.

Now to figure out where to move them to. I'm thinking the framerail, with a remote positive and negative hookups so I can hookup jumpers without opening a sealed battery box up to hook up cables. I've got to leave room for the air tank(s) to use with the york air. I'd like to have it all along the pass. framerail, but I'm not sure on room. Actually haven't really looked yet. Going to have to put a couple other projects on hold though and at least get the batts done or I may be walking..

 

Drop them through the top of the bed on the passenger side. Make a box to hang down and make the lid flush with bottom of the bed. Then easy access to change them. Up out of the elements. And you don't loose any bed space or have to worry about them dragging.

 

That would make for long cables, would they have to be a bigger gauge. How expensive would that be just for the cables. Would you make your own?

 

That's my plan, just to make my own cables. Factory size should be big enough. Heck, I run smaller than that on my race car with the batts both in the trunk and it isn't a lot less compression than the diesel (14:1). The positive would be the only longer one and the negatives would be pretty short as they could fasten to the frame wherever close and handy.

Bad thing is I looked at the optimas and if I went with them and boxes made for them I'd have probably $700 tied into batteries and cables. Think I will build my own battery boxes. I'm not paying 100 bucks each for boxes.

Jeffrey, you mean to cut the box up front on the pass. side and put the lid of my batt. box flush with the box floor? I like that idea if they will fit in there.

Where's the cheapest place I can find optimas? Parts store? Summit's like 180+ shipping each. Haven't looked anywhere else.



Anyone