The POS Auto Zone battery that came in my original F250 from Wyoming finally blew a cell a few weeks ago, and I just got around to replacing it with a good ol' Motorcraft battery. I was always told it took a Group 27F battery...but apparently, the 27F does not have a whole lot of CCA's. I think it's in the 600's if I remember correctly and the Auto Zone battery had 800 CCA's!!!

So now I have a 24F, which is taller, and much wider, but it has 700 CCA's. It was the only battery I could get that had anything close to those CCA's that I wanted. They make a Group 56F and a 65F, but both are supposedly way bigger than my 24F that I have now.

The original battery hold down won't fit properly over the battery. I tried to force it and broke a piece off of the hold down plastic.

Has anyone dealt with these batteries yet, and are there any alternatives out there that could fit over my new battery so I can still use the original battery box and all the hardware? Any other size battery hold downs that could fit, and still use the long threaded hook bolts with the wing nuts to hold them down? Any other ideas for getting the battery to stay put?

Thanks.

 

When it was time for a new battery for my truck, I wanted the biggest thing I could cram in the tray. I got the Motorcraft 1000CA / 850CCA and it fits the tray (barely). I also had to make a new bracket to span over the battery and am using the stock tie-down rods. The new bracket is just a piece of 3/8" rod with a "U" on each end for the threaded tie-downs to go through. To the rod, I welded a couple of small (approx. 3 inches long) pieces of angle for the width of the battery. Holds great and never had it move yet. The one I build looks like those universal ones you can buy, but much, much stronger.

 

Can you post a picture of it by chance?

 

I use groups 31s, fit fine in these trucks and can be had 900-1000 cca for around $100. For hold down I used factory style J hooks from an earlier truck (longer and sturdier) then cut a piece of aluminum to length and drilled two holes, glued a strip of tire tube to the bottom. Best hold down I've ever had... And I've used everything from factory, the $5 parts store universals, homemade wood, etc...

 

Original was group 64.I initially hada regular group 65 but had to make a top retainer for it.now I have a batt tray from an 89 in the truck

 

Can any of you guys post a picture of what you made?

I need ideas of what i'll need to fab up.

Thanks.

 

Don't mind the mess, I'm working on it. Also need to repaint the hold-down bracket.

 

I always stick G31's in these trucks. I even use the stock holddown j hooks. I have an 87+ tray in my wheeling rig as well. No fab required, just put it in.
Nothing beats a 31 that fits in these trucks.

 

My ghetto but sturdy hold downs. Need to modify drivers side to bolt through the rad support bracket, but it hasn't gone anywhere like it is. Just aluminum from a crusty old framing square with rubber glued to the bottom and some holes drilled.

 

I've got the bricknose battery tray with wedge base retainer and group 65, 1000 CA/800 CCA battery.
My truck has only had four batteries since new.
One was due to internal open circuit (jolt) and one of them was due to the 2G alternator harness failure.

 

Must be nice to live where the weather doesn't kill batteries. Only once have I gotten more than 4 years out of a battery, ever.

 

I guess???
I don't live in the great white north, but have never had problems in -20F.

Winter *did* kill my Delco battery last year.
I was in a spot and opted for the Autocraft gold for $100 (U.S.) out the door.
Hope it lasts.

 

Group 65 in mine, fits great.




Not the best picture, but it fits in there just fine.

 

I took the battery tray and rubber piece out of a 92-96 f150 out of the junkyard and everything bolted up and fits any battery I ever tried without relying on any hold down J hooks or anything. Theres just one bolt that holds a rubber wedge that holds the battery in nice and tight.

In my opinion, its a good upgrade to do to these trucks.