Hi all,

I'm almost done putting my truck (78 f150 460/4x4 reg. cab) back together after making the tilt hood, and I'm having trouble locating the battery. There's definately no room under the hood so it will have to go somewhere else.

I can either put it behind the seat in a sealed case (like in a boat) or put it in/under the bed (flat bed) with an access door.

Behind the seat would be a pain to jump start, but more protected.

Anyone care to offer an opinion on location and/or safety issues?

Thanks in advance!

Kevin K.

 

We have our batteries under the seats in our Humvees. Had one of them blow up one day. Luckily no one was sitting on it. If a case would protect against something like that then that would be fine. Otherwise...
Personally, I would be more comfortable w/the battery outside the cabin

Just my 2 cents

Jayson
78 F100

 

I agree with oft, it could save you an injury if its outside the cab. Ive seen them in battery boxes mounted to the side of the frame. With a flatbed that shouldnt be to bad.

Tony Warren
Nebraska

 

KJ,
Unless a battery is sealed it gives off hydrogen as a by-product of charging.
Do you smoke?
Keep your battery out of the cab.
KingFisher

 

Mount the battery just forward of the firewall above and to the outside of the frame rail. Beside the AC/Htr box. You will need a heatshield, and a battery box to keep road splash off is a good idea.

You probably don't have room under the seat.

 

I thought of that, but I didn't think I could keep it cool enough. I was also afraid of getting it under water. The truck is mainly for off-roading.

Thanks for the ideas!

K.

 

Find a local Transport refrigeration dealer. Thermo King refrigeration units use a heavy gauge steel battery box mounted to the front of the trailer and have excellent mounting points if you want to mount it on your framerail under the bed. I had one on my 69 F-100. They would more than likely have one laying around from an old unit. good Luck!

 

Water should not hurt those sealed batteries, and certainly not the Gel-type batteries.

You should have plenty of air flowing thru there without inner fenders. A radiated heat shield is all that is required.

 

Thanks! I'll try to fit it there.

What are radiated heat shields made of and where can I get them? If I know ehat they're made of, I could probably make one. I need to make one for my starter, too.

Thanks again!

Kevin K.