Battery hold down

[John-T-53]

So my battery has always been held in place by gravity and the cables, and I think it's about time to get a proper hold down, now that a new battery tray has been installed.

The main thing needed is the frame to fit over the top of the battery....anybody know of a source?

I think I'll use threaded rod, if I can't find extra long carriage bolts, for the hold down bolts.

Thanks,

Edited February 2, 2013 by John-T-53

[Don Coatney]

Is that a T-5 I see in there?

[Merle Coggins]

I built my hold down bracket from angle iron and a couple of pieces of pipe. I don't recall the size, maybe 1/2" or 3/4" angle and the pipes are slightler larger ID than the threaded rod. Cut the angle and welded it together to form the rectangle and weld the pipes on the ends. Theaded rod does work well. A nut on either side of the bottom plate will hold them in place so you don't have to worry about trying to get underneith to hold another wrench.

 

Here's mine,

[pflaming]

So that's the route the cable takes from the batt to the starter. Thanks, did you go to the engine or the frame with the other one?

[Monkey Truck]

I bought mine from Vintage Power Wagons.  It's a little big, but does work.

 

[John-T-53]

Is that a T-5 I see in there?

Yup....going strong, two years and 10 k miles on it!

I built my hold down bracket from angle iron and a couple of pieces of pipe. I don't recall the size, maybe 1/2" or 3/4" angle and the pipes are slightler larger ID than the threaded rod. Cut the angle and welded it together to form the rectangle and weld the pipes on the ends. Theaded rod does work well. A nut on either side of the bottom plate will hold them in place so you don't have to worry about trying to get underneith to hold another wrench.

I like this idea. It would be nice to find one thats "plug n' play", but I may be able to have it made locally.

[Desotodav]

I had to cut my original battery holder down a bit to get it to fit the 6 volt Optima Battery. I was worried about the cable terminals contacting with the metal battery hold down frame so I chopped some old rubber tube pieces and placed them down over the terminals.

You can buy the hold down bolts for just a few dollars... there's a few sets on Ebay...  http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=battery+hold+down+dodge&_ipg=100&rt=nc.

 

Desotodav

 

[Dave72dt]

Universal hold down brackets are avail at parts house along with j bolts in a couple different lengths

[Merle Coggins]

So that's the route the cable takes from the batt to the starter. Thanks, did you go to the engine or the frame with the other one?

Yes, that's how it was routed when I disassembled the truck. There are a couple of clamps that attach it to the top frame rail. This was the original cable, which I used temporarily during the rebuild. I did make new cables with 00 gauge cable and followed the same routing. The other cable I have connected to one of the transmission cover bolts. I don't know if that is correct, but it works for me.

 

I bought mine from Vintage Power Wagons.  It's a little big, but does work.

 

 

You don't need a smaller hold down bracket, you just need a larger battery.

[ggdad1951]

So that's the route the cable takes from the batt to the starter. Thanks, did you go to the engine or the frame with the other one?

make sure you route the cable thru a spring to protect it from damage.  You can kinda see it in Merle's pictures.  If nothing else I can dig up pictures of mine.

[Jeff Balazs]

John;

I picked up a universal hold down kit at Pep Boys for less than ten bucks. Intead of a frame like the original set up it has a single crossover arm made of composite material and a couple of long threaded J- hook hold downs. I just had to drill a couple of holes in the lower section of the battery tray and shorten the supplied J-hooks about an inch. Works a treat and eliminates the metal frame which could become a potential short or corrosion problem in the future. Pulling the battery is as easy removing two wing nuts.

I know it is not absolutely stock so it won't get you points with a judge ....... but for a daily driver I think it makes sense.

Jeff

[Scruffy49]

Boat box bolted to the stock battery tray, cables run through the box side, plastic lid strapped over the top. Ugly but very functional, and the battery stays clean.

[falconvan]

John, I think I've got a good original one if you want it. Let me know if you do and I'll send you a picture.

[John-T-53]

All good ideas here. Falconvan, sure, put a pic of it up here! Thanks...