Battery placement, Relocating to front trunck Options

[Elliot_Cannon]

My old battery tray was so rusted out I had to remove it (along with some other rust). I was thinking of relocating it to the front trunk. Has anybody done this?
Cheers, Elliot

[Zeke]

Oh yeh. Front trunk, back trunk, passenger footwell, all over the car. Mine is a little skinny thing mounted right behind the passenger seat on the floor. Just make sure you use cables big enough to carry the voltage over the distance. # 2 or bigger and fine wire, not coarse. Like welding cable.

[EdwardBlume]

I went to the back trunk after getting my tray removed and holes welded. I just sent the cables through the roof latch cup and had a custom metal welded on to keep the battery down on one side, with a bolt on attachment on the other.

The roof still fits in the trunk too.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)

[TimMartin]

I moved the battery to the front trunk, and retained use of the removable floor and full size spare storage.

If you're interested, i think i have the template i used to make it as well as a list of the hardware. Pictures are on my which show the fabrication and installation (although there aren't many).

I started with a standard battery relocation kit, to get the wires and the hold-down clamps. In retrospect that was probably a waste of money since i didn't need the tray itself. You can buy the cables, connectors, and some metal bits to do the same thing for a lot less then the $70 that PerfProd charges for that kit.

http://talking-dog.com/914/23.html

.tim

[SirAndy]

when i bought my car the battery was in the rear trunk.
the original tray had been removed (rust i assume).

although i didn't have any problems with that setup,
while restoring the car i decided to put a new battery tray
in the factory location and i will be running the battery from there again.

Andy

[Brad Roberts]

Here is my take on the battery location thing:

1. when I see the battery moved in a car I want to buy...it means the car was rusted in that area (in my head) and the owner was too cheap to replace the battery tray (78$)

2. Rules. If..IF I want to autoX the car or do whatever.. most of the rules state you cannot move the battery into a different location from stock. So.. I show up to an event with a frront mounted battery and it throws me into a some wicked race class... all because the battery was moved. I *think* we are allowed to move it the rear trunk ( I dont need more weight back there)

These are just my opinions on moving the battery.

B

[airsix]

I have an Excide gel-cell in the front trunk. I welded a tray for it so that it lays (bolted down) on it's side under the carpet board next to the spare. Stealth. I'll find pictures.

-Ben M.

ps- rules wise it's either class-allowed, or my club doesn't care.

[EdwardBlume]

B

I moved the battery because the area was in fact rusted out. I figure if I sell the car the buyer can see the repairs very easily.

While it technically is a class foul on my part, it doesn't add HP, it isn't located in a better strategic place, and if somebody wants to nail me on it.... advertising @$$hole on their forehead would amuse me.

Then again, what does one charge to weld in a tray?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)

[joea9146]

I put the battery in the rear trunk not because of rust, but was a nice place to put my MSD unit. Also freed up a lot of space in the engine compartment. My battery tray was a real bitch to cut out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

Oh and I also have an Oil cooler back there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[joea9146]

Here ya go

[J P Stein]

I'm wit Joe, right down the line....put it anywhere you want, just move it.
Just don't try to sell your car to Brad, you CSOB. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Class? I'm overweight, underpowered, undertired, undersprung, undershocked, underfunded...."battery in the trunk" is the least of my problems.

[J P Stein]

Hay, Joe, nice catch can. What was it in its previous life?

[joea9146]

Hay, Joe, nice catch can. What was it in its previous life?

It was a mayo jar .... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[J P Stein]

Cool.
I finally tied down my mixed nuts jar

[boxstr]

Sorry I didn't take pics, today Jim Chambers and I took the 76 Brown car and had German Metal Works weld in a new battery tray and support. In the stock location.
Cleaning and welding took about 2 hours and cost $145.00 not including the tray and support. It also gave us a chance to look closer at the area below the battery.
The new owner will be happy and know that it is going to last another 20+ years.
CCLINCAMP914

[nealnorlack]

Thanks to all for the valued opinions. I really appreciate the info. What's the catch can mayo jar for anyway??
Cheers, Elliot

[ChrisReale]

Thanks to all for the valued opinions. I really appreciate the info. What's the catch can mayo jar for anyway??
Cheers, Elliot

Those elitists have 914/6's. Its to catch oil, why I have no idea..

[J P Stein]

Those elitists have 914/6's.  Its to catch oil, why I have no idea..

Hay, that's "elitist pigs".....anyhow, oils a comming out if you're workin' the motor....that's something else we eliteist pigs do. If you don't catch it, it makes a hell of a mess. I've pumped out as much as 6 oz (WAG) at an AX session.

Chris, you come down for the 4 May AX and I'll take you for a ride......then you'll know why it happens.