I'm going to start by saying I'm a tinkerer. In some cases I just can't leave well enough alone and I like to improve, or at least I think I'm improving on what was original.

With the tight area behind the driver's side battery to put an air filter, the high cost of the nice semi-enclosed cold air boxes and the less than desirable (to me) open air filter laying on the inner fender, which I'm currently doing, it got me to thinking. If I could relocate the driver's side battery to the passenger side somehow that would give me a lot more room to design a cold air intake with a direct line to fresh air and keep water intrusion to a minimum. I measured the passenger side and if I move the battery box forward 2 inches that would give me enough room to install the other battery with the tray behind the coolant recovery tank. Vertical room seems to be more than sufficient and the only other modification would be to relocate the washer bottle.

Maybe this has been attempted before and just isn't worth the work but by removing the batteries and measuring, the only drawback I can see is the location of the battery in close proximity to the exhaust manifold - 8" to 10" or so. Of course some sort of protection could be installed.

Am I way out in left field with this?

 

Sounds like it would work. What about hanging it off the frame? I have one in front and one on the frame behind the cab. I am going to move the other one back too.

 

It will be interesting how this goes.I just did my own DIY filter and am not satisfied with the open element.But I like the added breathing.I to cant leave well enough alone either.It also greatly increased the noise factor.As far as the heat goes I think I saw a heat shield kit in either jegs or summit.I will keep an eye on this.Pike

 

DG I have considered relocating the batteries as well. There is always a need for more room in the engine compartment. I would consider the frame or box. But make sure if you do either of those up the cable size for the longer run.

 

I hadn't considered anywhere other than the engine compartment until trike brought it up. It would have to be fairly weather proof and out of site yet accessible - I like staying off the ground as much as possible. Maybe if I added a tool box I could do something with that.

Any thoughts? Anyone seen a nice setup?

 

You could get some gell cell's that can mount in any direction and that would open up your possiblilies on the frame. Also you could consider one large truck battery if you do go to the frame that way you only need to mount and wire 1 battery instead of two.

 

Ya know what I need? (besides a newer truck).... Remember those older Ford truck beds that had the compartments in the sides? Ya, that would work well for this.

I suppose I could mount an 8-D style battery but, yikes, they weigh a ton! That would have to go in the bed.

Hmmmm, what to do......

 

Ford has a box that mounts on the frame and keeps the weather out. I like the idea of a small tool box better, somewhere in the bed. They have those small side boxes that open from the top. And there are different shape batteries. Get a longer thinner one. I am not sure what the correct cable is. I would think you could use a heavy welding cable.