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I'll have to research the question about different battery trays.
On the radiator support, I can't tell enough about the one in the truck to determine if an earlier one will work or not. There's just too much "stuff" around it. But Jim said he would take pics of his early and late supports to show the differences.
Jim - I'm not in a huge hurry as I won't be pulling the old one out any time soon. I have to get some things done on Dad's truck, and am just getting Big Blue ready to load and tow Dad's.
Jonathan - I put up a new page: Battery Trays - ???Gary's Garagemahal. And there are two different left/driver's side trays - one for the diesel (E3TZ 10732-B) and one for gassers (EOTZ 10732-A). And the diesel's coolant reservoir was very different, so I doubt it would be easy to use the diesel tray in a gas-powered truck. But?
Jonathan - I put up a new page: Battery Trays - ???Gary's Garagemahal. And there are two different left/driver's side trays - one for the diesel (E3TZ 10732-B) and one for gassers (EOTZ 10732-A). And the diesel's coolant reservoir was very different, so I doubt it would be easy to use the diesel tray in a gas-powered truck. But?
Good info. Gary, so I guess if one wanted to "upgrade"(?) to a diesel battery tray to be able to accept the taller battery you would also need the diesel type fluid reservoir and washer tank. I'm actually contemplating relocating my driver side battery to accommodate a really good cold air intake and filter, but that's another day and a long way off. The battery tray info may be helpful to me though when I go to configure something
Well, I measured the space between the battery tray and the hood's lowest spot. Turns out that there is 9 1/16" of space and the battery is 9 1/2" to the top of the negative post. (Any guesses as to how I measured it?)
A bit of perusing of Odyssey's web site soon discovered that the 31M-PC1500 will fit as it is only 7 7/8" to the top of the negative post. While it is only 850 CCA's vs the 1150 CCA's of the other battery, it is still 200 CCA's above the minimum recommended by the winch manufacturer. So I called 4 Wheel Parts, hat in hand, and explained the situation. Since the battery has never been installed they are taking it back and getting the 31M-PC1500! As I told them, they have my business.
And, Jonathan, I thought about "upgrading" to the diesel battery setup, but I decided that is to much change and the battery may even then not fit. So I'm going with the sure thing.
[QUOTE=Gary Lewis;17320919]Well, I measured the space between the battery tray and the hood's lowest spot. Turns out that there is 9 1/16" of space and the battery is 9 1/2" to the top of the negative post. (Any guesses as to how I measured it?)
Yuppers! There's just enough room for me to get my hand through the "bucket" with the headlight out. That let me reach in and make sure the tape was sitting where it should be to get a good reading. It was, and the pic tells the story.
Yes, he would. And on that note, Ray Cecil and I've been emailing today. He's really struggling with the loss of his father, so please keep him in your prayers.
I took pictures of both my '81 and '85 and don't see differences on a quick comparison. I was going to upload and will try again, but I've used Photobucket in the past and now they want an annual $399 fee to do it going forward.
I'm somewhat of a techno idiot, so bear with me, but if anyone has a work around, I'll be glad to hear it. Remember to phrase it in a way that someone that grew up with dial telephones will understand.............
(Any guesses as to how I measured it?)
As I told them, they have my business. 
Hint: What's right ahead of the auxiliary battery? The "shiny" thing with wires to it? 
