replacement Battery Cables Recommendations?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Stock cables from Ford are expensive (especially the +ve cable that picks up both batteries.)
I ended up getting a 1 gauge cable for my passenger side battery on my 91' F350 from the local autoparts store which I ran directly to the starter. The new cable came complete with battery connector and loop to the starter motor for about $20. I was able to save the rest of the existing +ve cable from the drivers side battery by sawing off the +ve connection loop for the existing passenger side battery and taping it up. This takes have the load of the existing cable.
You should be able to buy 0 or 1 gauge -ve cables at most autoparts stores.
If you need to replace the long +ve from the drivers side battery to the starter you either do a custom job or bite the bullett and pay for it thru Ford. I am not aware of anybody that makes an aftermarket cable specifically for these trucks.
Whatever you do use heavy gauge cables (0 gauge) or welding cables.
I ended up getting a 1 gauge cable for my passenger side battery on my 91' F350 from the local autoparts store which I ran directly to the starter. The new cable came complete with battery connector and loop to the starter motor for about $20. I was able to save the rest of the existing +ve cable from the drivers side battery by sawing off the +ve connection loop for the existing passenger side battery and taping it up. This takes have the load of the existing cable.
You should be able to buy 0 or 1 gauge -ve cables at most autoparts stores.
If you need to replace the long +ve from the drivers side battery to the starter you either do a custom job or bite the bullett and pay for it thru Ford. I am not aware of anybody that makes an aftermarket cable specifically for these trucks.
Whatever you do use heavy gauge cables (0 gauge) or welding cables.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The stock cable is way bigger than #1 or #0.
The crossover from the drivers side to the passenger side is 2/0 AWG.
The wire from the passenger side down to the starter is 3/0 AWG.
I had a cable made out of 2/0 with crimp on ends made at NAPA to go from the drivers side battery to the starter for about 30 dollars. 7 feet long if I remember right.
Then they made another to go from the drivers side battery to the starter that was about 25 dollars.
Sure was better than the 225 Ford wanted.
The crossover from the drivers side to the passenger side is 2/0 AWG.
The wire from the passenger side down to the starter is 3/0 AWG.
I had a cable made out of 2/0 with crimp on ends made at NAPA to go from the drivers side battery to the starter for about 30 dollars. 7 feet long if I remember right.
Then they made another to go from the drivers side battery to the starter that was about 25 dollars.
Sure was better than the 225 Ford wanted.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
I made cables with flat, bolt on style crimp ends. For terminal connections I used the ones that have a bolt in the end and are used to connect top terminal batteries to side terminal cables. The crimp ends bolt onto the end of the terminal quite tightly. So far it seems to be a good working and inexpensive soloution.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Holladay, UT
I replaced mine last summer. After checking witn Napa and Ford OEM, I ordered cables from custombatterycables.com. I got the set of three cables for about $100. The quality was great and they fit perfectly. I'd definitely recommend them.
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