Wanting to add a second battery to my 2000 Tacoma 2.7L. Advice or photos from someone who has done this?

 

I used a 200A all steel solenoid(if i remember correctly) and set it up so when I shut the key off it would isolate the inverter and engine batteries by using ignition ON as a signal wire, and the 1000W inverter would only run on the rear mounted battery when the vehicle wasn't running to avoid draining the starting engine battery by mistake but would automatically connect the 2 batteries when I turned the key to the ON position, would suck to be in the middle of nowhere and drain both batteries leaving you stranded, typically people add dual batteries for overland exploring in the middle of nowhere and winching, I also added an illuminated switch on the console so I could isolate the batteries while running incase I only wanted to charge up the engine battery only instead of charging both batteries. I also added receptacles with rubber covers inside my centre console and on the side of the passenger compartment, and in the rear buy soldering wires inside the inverter. I couldn't fit the 2nd battery up front and had access to wire and HD crimpers through work at discount so I put it in the back with the inverter. I didn't use any fuses although recommend especially on long runs like mine, but I did add a Superwinch "Short Stop" 100A, you can build them up to whatever AMP you want 50A at a time, but it also started to give me problems after a year, so I ditched it aswell and risk shorting out and burning my rig down, but I used fibre reinforced wire loom and really heavy gauge wire and secured it well. been 10 years and it runs my Hydraulic plow now very well, didn't use the winch much so never really tried exhausting the batteries that way. I think upgrading to a High output 140AMP alternator and a 2nd gen Taco battery would have been a better idea in the end as I still should add them now, but the Canadian alt is pretty good, I think its 100A as oppose to the 80A south of the boarder. No pics, they wouldn't help anyways.

So what are you using the 2nd battery for as that would/could change things. I think the Hilux surf diesels came with dual batteries from the factory up front, in that case they are just connected.

 

Where did you put your second battery?

I use this truck for hunting. During bear season I've gone 3 days without seeing another vehicle come down the road so I'm just wanting extra power for charging things without draining my primary battery.

 

I have a 4R so lots of room in the back,. You have a 2.7L so lots of spare room under the hood i imagine. Personally if I where you and had a box, I would invest in a small genny, there are some pretty nice small and quiet ones out now for decent prices, could even go for a tiny 2 stroke one 2nd hand , or a large battery booster pack with USB ports. Unless you set the dual battles up to be isolated like mine you still risk the possibility of draining both batteries when shut down, and it is highly advisable to buy 2 new matching batteries when connecting them together as if you connect a new battery to the old the old will always shorten the life of the new battery.