Notices
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Red Top Optima 34R Battery Mod

Old 09-15-2003, 09:02 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
fourbychef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cool Red Top Optima 34R Battery Mod

Recently after 2 years of driving my D-Cab through the deserts of Arizona, the heat and vibrations finally did my stocker battery in.

I had ample warning of my impending battery failure, which was a good thing considering it has an auto tranny, and it let go at my home.

I then went in search of,,,,,and decided upon the Optima Red Top, I found that the battery Terminals matched the stock terminal cables without adjustment. There was also some concern from fellow club members that the Optima was not a very secure fit in the stock location. So this is what I did.

www.members.cox.net/ktontacoma/optimamod.html

Oh My name is K-ton, I am fourbychef on the boards.
K-ton
Old 09-15-2003, 09:29 PM
  #2  
Contributing Member
 
its2slo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: portland oregon
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
welcome to yotatech k-ton. thats a good idea considering the guy who almost burned his truck down when his optima came lose.

i enjoy your site and like how you werent afraid to cut the ifs off a NEW truck.
Old 09-15-2003, 09:45 PM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
fourbychef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by its2slo
[B]welcome to yotatech k-ton. thats a good idea considering the guy who almost burned his truck down when his optima came lose.

[B]
Thanks Jake,
I have been trying to pay attention to so many people and to so much great information one can find on these boards, the priceless information is,,,well,,,,priceless.
And it is always better to learn from watching other peoples mistakes and mis-haps, it was from talking to that person on TTORA that inspired my modification.
Like Props to Bajataco and his sliding fridge/speaker/deck/ access panel/temp mod

Thanks for the welcome.

K-ton
Old 09-16-2003, 01:25 AM
  #4  
Registered User
 
Cebby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 11,199
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
welcome k-ton. Nice rig and great mods! That is one BIG taco!!
Old 09-16-2003, 07:47 AM
  #5  
Contributing Member
 
BajaTaco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by fourbychef
...Like Props to Bajataco and his sliding fridge/speaker/deck/ access panel/temp mod..
Thanks pal Hey it's good to see you here - thanks for sharing the rockin' Optima reinforcement mod.

OK, this guy needs a proper introduction...

Folks - I gotta tell ya, the Chef here is a stand-up guy. He does a lot for the 4wd sport and community here in Arizona. Not to mention, as the name implies - he knows how to make REALLY REALLY good food! A good example is when he made the most delicious, mouth-watering BBQ ribs for the entire camp at the last AZROCKS event. OK, now let's talk about his rig - it's just plain badass. Tacoma D-cab with a D44 front axle. It rides like a cadillac over the rocks I think it is the most comfortable trail rig I have ever ridden in.

Sorry K-ton, I don't mean to put you on the spot - but "enquiring minds want to know!"
Old 09-16-2003, 07:57 AM
  #6  
Contributing Member
 
rimpainter.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So I should not have mounted my red top on its side? Is that what I am getting out of all this?

Sweet rig by the way. Its unfourtanate that we will never be traveling the same trails together!
Old 09-16-2003, 08:21 AM
  #7  
Contributing Member
 
WATRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Duvall, WA
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: Red Top Optima 34R Battery Mod

Originally posted by fourbychef
Oh My name is K-ton, I am fourbychef on the boards.
K-ton
Chef! What a pleasant suprise!

I can "second" what Chris said about Chef. I have not been the same since his AZRocks meal... food has tasted bland since then and I haven't had meal like that since

On top of that, he IS a stand up guy and I absolutely covet his truck...
Old 09-16-2003, 08:32 AM
  #8  
Registered User
 
AznSky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dang where are all these ppl popping up in az coming from???

btw welcome!!
Old 09-16-2003, 08:35 AM
  #9  
Contributing Member
 
rimpainter.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Come to think of it, I have seen his truck driving down the road, and boy is it an awesome sight. One of a kind (that I know of anyway).

There might be another double cab SAS running around somewhere too. I think he is the pres of TTORA for AZ...
Old 09-16-2003, 08:38 AM
  #10  
Registered User
 
AznSky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 2,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yea I was just pokin around his site, I didn't know there was a rescue team for AZTorra!! That's sweet!!!! Man I'm missing out!
Old 09-16-2003, 09:10 AM
  #11  
Contributing Member
 
WATRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Duvall, WA
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by <96 Runner>
...I think he is the pres of TTORA for AZ...
The AZ president is Ronn, "Yogi". He has an SAS XCab that used to be red, but is now some sort of odd tan color.
Old 09-16-2003, 09:57 AM
  #12  
Registered User
 
weldpro's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Susanville, CA.
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just wanted to tell you - I have seen your truck around the web many times , and with out a doubt if I ever make a DD into a wheeler again I want a SAS Dcab. Your truck rocks, nice job.
Richard
Old 09-16-2003, 10:45 AM
  #13  
Registered User
 
KING's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PEORIA, AZ
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've seen your truck around here too.

I always keep an eye out for TOYOTA's and I do remember seeing yours a couple of times.

By the way, what in the world is TTORA??

TOYOTA TRUCK OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES??

Old 09-16-2003, 10:51 AM
  #14  
Registered User
 
Churnd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Posts: 4,087
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
TTORA = Toyota Tacoma Off Road Association.

Did anybody happen to check out the price list for the SAS? 6 grand!! I never figured it would cost that much!
Old 09-17-2003, 07:37 AM
  #15  
Contributing Member
 
BajaTaco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hehehe - actually, it's Tacoma Territory Off-Roader's Association

http://www.ttora.com

And the AZ Chapter site is

http://www.azttora.com/

By the way, for those who didn't know, WATRD is the president of the Washington chapter, at

http://www.wattora.com/

Last edited by BajaTaco; 09-17-2003 at 07:40 AM.
Old 09-17-2003, 08:49 AM
  #16  
Contributing Member
 
WATRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Duvall, WA
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by BajaTaco
By the way, for those who didn't know, WATRD is the president of the Washington chapter, at

http://www.wattora.com/
There goes my cover! ehhehehe
Old 09-17-2003, 06:15 PM
  #17  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
fourbychef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey Guys, thanks for all the props, I really appreciate it.

Baja and Rob, it is good to *see* both of you.

I want to get a welder, I am itching to start building stuff.

We are getting busy at work again, I may not see any one till next March,,,,

Unless we can do a Sunday Run sometime? Anybody? Any trail.

K-ton
Old 03-05-2004, 01:52 PM
  #18  
Contributing Member
 
Darx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Will either a 34 or 34R work easily in a Taco or is one prefered to the other? A lot of the 4Runner people seem to be using the 34R so I'm inclined to think that would be the better choice for the Taco as well but am not sure.
Old 03-05-2004, 03:05 PM
  #19  
Contributing Member
 
WATRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Duvall, WA
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Darx
Will either a 34 or 34R work easily in a Taco or is one prefered to the other? A lot of the 4Runner people seem to be using the 34R so I'm inclined to think that would be the better choice for the Taco as well but am not sure.
Wow! Talk about bringing back a thread from the past But that's what the search feature will do

The 34R is a perfect match for your Tacoma. It requires either an Optima spacer or a chunk of plywood to lift it because it is shorter than the stock battery, but otherwise it is a direct drop in. Sometimes the battery comes with the spacer, but even if it does not, your Optima dealer should be able to get one for you. I didn't bother and have a piece of plywood under mine
Old 03-05-2004, 03:19 PM
  #20  
Contributing Member
 
Darx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by WATRD
Wow! Talk about bringing back a thread from the past But that's what the search feature will do

The 34R is a perfect match for your Tacoma. It requires either an Optima spacer or a chunk of plywood to lift it because it is shorter than the stock battery, but otherwise it is a direct drop in. Sometimes the battery comes with the spacer, but even if it does not, your Optima dealer should be able to get one for you. I didn't bother and have a piece of plywood under mine
Thanks for the answer! Looks like I'll have to order one as no one seems to carry them in the stores around me pep boys or autozone, the 34R anyway.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Red Top Optima 34R Battery Mod



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:01 AM.