Battery Box
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: East Palestine, Ohio
Battery Box
Since i am in the middle of rewiring my 48 F1 i thought it may be a good idea to mount the battery under the floor of the cab off the frame rail. I saw a nice stainless steel drop out box that doesn't require cutting hole in floor. Has anyone done this before and is it worth the hundred dollars the box cost? It sure would clean up the engine compartment a lot.
Thanks
Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Terry,
If you can weld and have some angle iron laying around it's pretty easy to make your own. I'm making my own and will attach it to the side of the frame rail on the passenger side. When you place the box on the frame rail just attach it using four large sheet metal screws and leave enough room around the battery to remove it without having to remove the box or attach it in such a way that you can remove the screws without removing the battery. All I will have invested in mine is a few welding rods and a little time. I will also run a positive cable to an insulated post on the lower firewall so I can charge or boost the battery if need be without having to crawl under the truck to attach battery cables. No, I do not think the drop down boxes are worth a hundred bucks...
Vern
If you can weld and have some angle iron laying around it's pretty easy to make your own. I'm making my own and will attach it to the side of the frame rail on the passenger side. When you place the box on the frame rail just attach it using four large sheet metal screws and leave enough room around the battery to remove it without having to remove the box or attach it in such a way that you can remove the screws without removing the battery. All I will have invested in mine is a few welding rods and a little time. I will also run a positive cable to an insulated post on the lower firewall so I can charge or boost the battery if need be without having to crawl under the truck to attach battery cables. No, I do not think the drop down boxes are worth a hundred bucks...
Vern
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Now that's the Vern I know. Why buy an expensive piece and then hide it where nobody is ever going to see it anyway? The angle iron will work great. I found an old aluminum box in a friend's garage and used that to replace the corroded unit under my 54. Good luck, John 
Why buy an expensive piece and then hide it where nobody is ever going to see it anyway? The angle iron will work great. I found an old aluminum box in a friend's garage and used that to replace the corroded unit under my 54. Good luck, John
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 586
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From: East Palestine, Ohio
I have decided to wait until later to relocate the battery. I have my hands full right now trying to get truck rewired and ready for a benifit cruise on the 21st without adding anything else to the mix.
Thanks for the info and i will keep it in mind.
I will try to post some progress pics when i get time. My son just bought a new canon digital camera that takes awesome pctures.
Terry
Thanks for the info and i will keep it in mind.
I will try to post some progress pics when i get time. My son just bought a new canon digital camera that takes awesome pctures.
Terry
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
One question before relocating a battery box.
When do you need access to the battery?
Answer: worst possible time, worst possible conditions.
I like to be able to get to mine while standing up, seeing it in the glare of the headlight of the person who is going to give me a jump start or being able to cut the cable when everything is melting and SMOKIN'.
When do you need access to the battery?
Answer: worst possible time, worst possible conditions.
I like to be able to get to mine while standing up, seeing it in the glare of the headlight of the person who is going to give me a jump start or being able to cut the cable when everything is melting and SMOKIN'.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, So Carolina
Well I guess I would choke at that price for a SS battery box too, but I cheated and had the boys at our textile machinery company bend up some 304 to make mine. 
Fabbing one sure will get you something that will hold your battery properly instead of the extra space those old 6V batteries took.
SS sure puts up with the acid and road crud better than angle and all. I bet a local fabricator could do one of these for half that.
Fabbing one sure will get you something that will hold your battery properly instead of the extra space those old 6V batteries took.
SS sure puts up with the acid and road crud better than angle and all. I bet a local fabricator could do one of these for half that.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 525
Likes: 2
From: Deridder, LA
I got box from speedwaymotors.com for only $18 bucks....the size was perfect and it is going beneath the cab on the passenger side...comes with everything you need except the welding rods and welder of course...hehehe...hope this might help you out...tried for a fab job and they were quoting some outrageous prices out here in elp....
James
James
