I've been wanting to do this mod for quite some time. After my Optima yellow top died, I decided it was a good time to make the change. To make the batteries fit in the stock location took a few minor modifications. I had to cut off one of the mounting brackets for the fuse box and relocate the radiator overflow tank. removing the tank mounting bracket was quite easy. Just simply drill out the two spot welds.The tray I made out of 16 guage and lined it with some reinforced rubber padding material. Then welded a few pieces of angle iron underneath to give it some additional support. I retained the factory hold down locations and made a new upper bracket lined with the same material.

I still need to install the Painless kit that Lance gave to me. The solenoid will be located near the fuse box. There's a few holes already there that match up with the mounting bracket.

Battery tray, modified overflow tank bracket, hold down bracket



Overflow tank relocated

 

Nice setup!!

 

bruce, I would like to do what you have done there, but one thing that concerns me is the heat coming from the headlight and the radiator directly touching the batteries. Have you felt around after running with the lights on to see if that are is hot on the right most battery?

 

looks good

 

Dunno about third gens, but my lights never get that hot. I mean, the glass themselves, but the heat from the lights is nothing compared to engine heat, so yeah, wouldn't think that is an issue.

This is a very cool set up, no long wires, no extra junk, very clean, very nice...I'll be doing mine so it sits opposite, like the LC guys do it, but if i had room, i'd do it this way.

 

Heat is not an issue, neither the headlight nor the radiator touch the batteries, besides I live in Socal, during the summer the temp under the hood gets quite high....

I had to wait to wire up the second battery til I got the extra HD clamps. It's all wired up now, once I get a chance I post a new picture.

 

No i realized that you hadn't gotten it wired up yet, but was just commenting on when you did, you wouldn't be running wires all over the engine bay, like has to be done with a batt sitting oposite. Very clean. I like clean.