Replacement Battery Tray
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
I'm like Samisage. My battery tray is rusted away and the entire battery holder assembly is missing. The only '80-'86 replacement battery trays I have found are at Dennis Carpenter, and they cost about $80. I have seen the '87-'96 trays in numerous magazines for about half the price. I still don't know why the '80-'86 is so pricey. (Just like the plastic inner fenders - the '80-'86 versions are $180 per side. The ''87-'91 are $29.95 per side. Go figure.)
I have never seen either one in person, but this confuses me:
1.) The '80-'86 version is said to be mounted under the fender, where as the '87-'96 mounts above? (Didn't Conetnew say that he used the same holes?? I am confused)
2.) If the battery tray is mounted UNDERNEATH the plastic inner fender, I don't see how the battery actually sits on the tray. My battery is currently sitting on TOP of the inner fender with no battery tray at all, so what good would a battery tray do, if it is UNDER the fender?
Sorry, but I am having a hard time visualizing the whole set up.
I have never seen either one in person, but this confuses me:
1.) The '80-'86 version is said to be mounted under the fender, where as the '87-'96 mounts above? (Didn't Conetnew say that he used the same holes?? I am confused)
2.) If the battery tray is mounted UNDERNEATH the plastic inner fender, I don't see how the battery actually sits on the tray. My battery is currently sitting on TOP of the inner fender with no battery tray at all, so what good would a battery tray do, if it is UNDER the fender?
Sorry, but I am having a hard time visualizing the whole set up.
Last edited by LARIAT 85; Feb 8, 2007 at 09:45 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Cochranville, PA
Lariat:
Yes, they both use the same holes. There is a slot where the 80-86 tray slide up from under the fender lining so you can attach the 2 bolts to the inner fender. The 87 and up attach above the fender liner and the same to mounting holes still line up. If I take the battery out, I'll post better pics. Again, the only hole you have to mke, is a small one for the support bracket or arm. the 80-86 battery trays did not have the support bracket you see on the 87 and up
Yes, they both use the same holes. There is a slot where the 80-86 tray slide up from under the fender lining so you can attach the 2 bolts to the inner fender. The 87 and up attach above the fender liner and the same to mounting holes still line up. If I take the battery out, I'll post better pics. Again, the only hole you have to mke, is a small one for the support bracket or arm. the 80-86 battery trays did not have the support bracket you see on the 87 and up
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
Okay. I think I understand it now. Thanks Coneynew. The '80-'86 also has two long bolts and then a top brace attached to the radiator support that attaches to a bracket on top of the battery that helps hold the battery down and to the truck. Can all of this be used on the '87-'96 battery trays without any modification?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Cochranville, PA
Lariat, yes. I simply bolted on the 87 tray using the 2 mounting bolts from the old tray. I did not remove the old tray (lazy). The '87 tray does not attach the the bracket from the radiator support, hence, the support bar. I only had to mke a small hole for that. I used a big philips head screw (you can see in the pic). That holds everythign down pretty tight, plus the 87 tray is a heavier guage. I'll take better pics with the battery out.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Cochranville, PA
Lariat:
Here are the pics of the 87 battery tray installed in my 86. The old tray is still installed. I'll clean it up in the spring. The other pic is of the 80-86 style batter tray. This one is probably one of the nicest used ones I have pulled off of a salvage veh, and it was from an 81 F-150
Here are the pics of the 87 battery tray installed in my 86. The old tray is still installed. I'll clean it up in the spring. The other pic is of the 80-86 style batter tray. This one is probably one of the nicest used ones I have pulled off of a salvage veh, and it was from an 81 F-150
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