I finally got around to installing a second battery on my F250 today. I thought that some of you might be interested here's some details and pics.

I bought an oem ford under body mount box (from an E series psd) I choose the inside of the drivers frame rail between the transfer case and fuel tank for the location, I used 2 x 1/4" flat stock and welded these 2 plates to the frame rail

pic 1

I then installed a standard 65 series battery (the same battery the truck takes) in this box

pic 2

Here's what it looks like all done

pic 3

I have all parts #'s used, if anyone needs for info let me know.

 

Hey that's pretty sweet. I added that box to my '99 E350. Good solution. FYI: I had a yellow optima in there for 5+ years and it was in great shape when I took it out. The fancy battery cable clamps I had on there were kinda a mess, but I cut them off with a grinder and still use the battery that was in there today.

-Jay

 

I was also thinking about using the optima but I didn't like the fit, maybe down the road I will convert it.

 

Nice job... what year is the truck? I was thinking about getting the diesel 2nd battery holder ('05) to install second battery - unfortunately it's $70.00 for one stinkin bracket. Have template made for rolling my own, just no time. Also looks like the air intake wart is in the way - anyone know what thoes things are for?

 

alchymist, my truck is an 04, I have seen a few battery installs under the hood and was not impressed, the air cleaner is just to big and something always rubs and gets damaged, to rework that air cleaner is near impossible which is why I went in this direction.

 

nice job.
Great pics

 

nummit, thank you

 

Nice, been looking for a 2nd batt solution...

PLEASE post the part #'s ...

art k.

 

Parts#'s are:

Battery box 4C2Z-10769-AA (1 req)
Locking wedge and bolt F59Z-10718-11 (1 req)
Mounting bolts N605920-S439 (4 req)
Double nut of bracket N808992-S301 (2 req)

 

Don't know what the "wart" does! on my 2005 F250 SD! I cut it off and duck taped over the hole in the cold air intake and have not had any problems. Now with the new Battery tray from fordpartsdealer.com all I have to do is bolt the new tray to the holes in the left fender. There is even the extra battery support all ready atached to the front. It even lines up with the main stock battery. I will take some pictures later this week. Now all I need is 2 new Red top Optima's and 2 custom cables from custombatterycables.com

 

Nice job. Could you give us a little detail on the wiring? What went where? Did you use an isolator? Thanks.

 

Nothing fancy with the wiring, I fabricated 4ga cables with welding cable and crimp on ends. I ran them across the floor between the heat shield and the floor, then up the frame rail to the oem battery and tied in. I wanted this battery mainly for snowplowing where you have short high amp bursts. This type of connection for what I do seems to work the best for the type of load I have. The other deciding factor was how many isolators and solenoids I see go bad at work.

 

4ga. isn't sufficient. In the BBAS book for the vans, ford recommends 2/0 paralleled with 1/0 for that length of run.

 

I don't follow please explain "2/0 paralleled with 1/0".

Thanks

 

The need for dual batteries in a Diesel truck is WHY?