hey everybody, while putting the new front end on my 76 i decided to move the battery into my toolbox in the bed. i have the flush-mount toolbox mounted and a plastic battery box mounted within. I have the the two big battery cables ran, the positive having extra re-inforcement with some plastic tubing and wire-looming down the entire length.

The safest way i found to run the cables is outside the frame, being away from the fuel tank. now im having to find away to securely mount the cables to the frame or maybe the underside of the cab floor and need a mounting solution.

Any good ideas?

 

The toolbox should be vented if you're running a lead acid battery. AND, the battery needs to be have a mechanical hold-down.. not just placed in the box... cover up the battery terminals or weird things can happen if ya drop a wrench on top of them.

Cushion clamps secured on welded nuts ..edit .. BOLTS with nyloc nuts:


Grommets:

 

I know this is not what you came here to discuss, but what is the reasoning behind this? I strongly urge you to think this through. The starter can draw a couple hundred amps; that sure is a long way to have that much current run when the engine is trying to turn over. Not to mention, you've got a lot more distance in between your engine block and ground at the battery. The more distance you have between the battery and the rest of the truck's electrical system, the larger your cables need to be, and the more prone you are to any corrosion affecting how much current your battery can source. I think you're opening yourself up to a plethora of grounding issues as well as starting problems down the road. You're also adding impedance in between the battery and what the voltage regulator is going to try and sense. The battery is up close to the engine and starter solenoid for a reason.

Not to mention, when the battery is mounted under the hood as intended, it's up high behind the solid radiator support with some structural integrity. Now you've got it hanging down low in front of people's bumpers, protected by nothing but thin sheet metal, just waiting to blow if you get T-boned at an intersection.

That being said, don't have the positive cable ride along the frame directly. I suggest running it through some sort of all-weather sheath that is securely mounted that will not rub against the frame.

 

Im not rednecking this thing together guys come on. its not just a plastic tray its meant for semi truck batteries it wont go anywhere. Its more like a case i guess. Im going to bigger batteries that dont fit and planning future possiblilties and relocating is something i want to try, can always put it back no big deal. the idea began with wanting to add a second battery and wanting the room under the hood, i might even be taking out the inside fenders eventually. this conversion will make front end removal faster also.

fmc400, i did say ive got the cables pretty hardened against any shorts with extra plastic tubing AND wire loom, what im needing is a way to mount it from wigglin around and hold it away from metal. I am a lil worried on the starter not getting the full juice but ill just have to see what happens, should be fine with my 00 cable and extra big battery(s).

HIO, did you mean to say weld BOLTS onto the frame to act as mounting studs?, i think that could work pretty good, b/c i sure dont want to drill into my frame. and i do like those cushion clamps, thats the idea i had in mind just couldnt figure out how to put 2 and 2 together without drilling fifteen holes taking all weekend and 6 bits lol. thanks.

 

Yes.. bolts... 'sorry about that - apparently a bad synapse between my axons and a dendrites.

Ding. You got it...

 

yeah HIO nuts plus nuts are never a good combo so... anyway cool thanks for that idea i think that'll get me fixed up. now just have to find a good deal on some 1" cushioned clamps or make my own?

 

Aww, dang it! Now I gotta dig out the dikshunary .

 

Is your username your phone number or your ssn with a zero on the end?

 

I guess it could be the balance of your checking account as well.

 

He has a 76 with a 360 and a 74 with a 460