Optima Battery Install-Not a dumb Question

[dstang97]

Just to let you guys know, that I just put a Optima battery on my rear tray using factory hold downs. When you buy a new optima it has a lid on the top and you flip it upside down and put on the bottom. This gives the same height as the 6tl. Then I moved the threaded rod to the factory holes in to the middle and it fits perfect between the battery. I switched the fron to a civilian due to a Banks kit, but I was looking at it and it seemed like it would work too.

 

[dstang97]

Here's some pictures

 

[Stalwart]

Best of luck with that, hope you have better luck with them than I did, I'll never buy another. NEVER let it go completely flat, often they don't recover. They are VERY easy to mount, a lot of other battery Mfg. could learn a lesson or two from them.

 

[dstang97]

I have learned my lesson to keep up with them. another thing though its a 3 year warranty free replacement not prorated like some batteries. I got one for free and the other for 100 bucks so I couldent go wrong. I dont think I would buy another one though.

 

[Mudstone]

i ordered the mounts from odiron. will be getting them in tomorrow. my stock top mounts are mangled so i'm hoping the lock into the mount adapter will be sufficient to hold the batteries.

 

[mtjbrown]

Just to let you guys know, that I just put a Optima battery on my rear tray using factory hold downs. When you buy a new optima it has a lid on the top and you flip it upside down and put on the bottom. This gives the same height as the 6tl. Then I moved the threaded rod to the factory holes in to the middle and it fits perfect between the battery. I switched the fron to a civilian due to a Banks kit, but I was looking at it and it seemed like it would work too.

Hey, looks like there might be enough room for both batteries on one tray. What do you think?

 

[4bogginchevys]

there is on tray #2, but it's difficult to use the 6tl hold down. I also noticed some tabs pointing up from the bottom of the tray that could wear a whole in the bottom of a battery, or prevent a base from sitting down nice and flat if 2 were jammed on to one tray. good luck

 

[Mudstone]

am i informed wrongly?

 

[allrevup]

Hello dstang97. Good score on the Optima.
A friend did exactly the same thing that you have done with his Optima Red Model 31/78 and wile OFF-ROAD the rear battery sled and grounded against the hold down. Maybe the fit is more secure with Optima adapter for 6TL applications. A friend has had one now for 7 or 8 years, I've had bad luck with 2 Red tops applications.

4bogginchevys The botton trays taps line up perfectly with group31 battery's

 

[4bogginchevys]

I was talking about putting 2 batts on 1 tray,with or without the spacers underneath. If we were thinking the same than very good, it will open up some more usable space at batt tray 1 for an ammo can full O' stuff

 

[allrevup]

Certainly du-able. Not sure in what tread (I think it was about turbos) but I have seen several photos of two battery's side by side in the rear tray, with modified original and DIY hold downs. Definitely not Group31 but smaller batterys

 

[dstang97]

Hello dstang97. Good score on the Optima.
A friend did exactly the same thing that you have done with his Optima Red Model 31/78 and wile OFF-ROAD the rear battery sled and grounded against the hold down. Maybe the fit is more secure with Optima adapter for 6TL applications. A friend has had one now for 7 or 8 years, I've had bad luck with 2 Red tops applications.

4bogginchevys The botton trays taps line up perfectly with group31 battery's

That battery is clamped down tight so there will be no movement either direction . I did put 3 washers on each threaded rod so I would not bottom out on the threads. I just wanted to see if you could achieve the same thing with out buying the aftermarket optima trays.

 

[JDToumanian]

am i informed wrongly?

If you use the adapter trays you do not need the top hold down.... The adapter trays get bolted down and the batteries slide in and snap into place.

 

[Mudstone]

the front battery tray seems to have too much in the way... looks like i will have to slide the battery into the tray and then mount it to the tray pita

 

[Mudstone]

also seems there will be some drilling involved as none of the holes seem to line up... can anyone who's installed these trays without the top mounts give me some info?

 

[dstang97]

did you allready order the brackets from OD iron?

 

[Mudstone]

yes have em in my living room... looked at the truck today. holes don't line up so i guess i have to drill. Also the battery terminals started to crumble when i moved the batteries... one project growing again.

 

[JDToumanian]

Yes, I drilled holes for the adapter trays. Be careful to see where the holes will break through, there are supports under the metal battery tray, you may have to scoot the adapters around or rotate them 90 degrees..... The holes in them are not symmetrical so you have to drill for the position you want the tray to end up. I used the tray as my drill guide, I spotted through the tray 5/16 then drilled 11/32

 

[Mudstone]

JD thanks man... that is exactly what i needed. I now have to teach myself how to replace the terminals on the battery wiring... then i can get these batteries in the truck.

 

[Mudstone]

what size bolts did you ultimately end up using? did you use washers? a pic would make you my best friend.