Flipping for a Spare Battery

[Wildergarten]

Hi,

I want to put an auxiliary battery in the engine compartment. I am sure most are familiar with the battery bracket on the driver's side. It's mounted flange pointing down and obviously isn't symmetrical. Having taken a few measurements, I'm thinking I can get it into the gap on the passenger's side. I have a couple of extra battery pan stampings, so I was thinking I might just mount one upside down flanges pointed up and stretch the angle brace rod to keep the batteries at the same level. I may need to weld in a flathead bolt for it for clearance to the battery casing. I've seen bracket bolts that are spanked in such a way as to transition to a flat U-bend that I might be able to make fit hooking it from the inside. I could certainly forge one. Obviously, I'd have to move the horns, but I have seen them mounted off the shock angle brackets such that they'd be out of the way.

Has anybody else done this one?

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Saw it once from the factory with a SERT sticker. Was in something like a fire truck. Too long ago to remember any details, but always figured it would be an easy mod. Even bought the 2 battery isolating diode back in the 80's.

[Wildergarten]

Even bought the 2 battery isolating diode back in the 80's.

I plan on using a Blue Sea ACR: https://www.defender.com/large/204621_l.jpg

Upon looking at it, I may need to trim the edge of the radiator a bit and cut out the angled rod brace welded to stiffen the front panel. But yeah, it doesn't look like much of a pain. 'Famous last words.'

[dodgeboykim]

I fitted a drivers battery tray on Passenger side in a 71 Fargo W200 years ago. Minor mods to fit it flange down with brace.
I had to relocate a couple items going from memory.

[RonHall76]

I have a spare battery on opposite/passenger side. Brace is gone from front end/radiator holder. Spare tray fits in nicely. Among other things, I use it to run a 12,000 lb electric winch on the front end. Has an isolator so that you can also run 12V power off it. Highly recommend it. If you scroll down at this link to a Google Photo Album (about winch and bumper work on 4WD longbed - original Braden winch - and 4WD short bed - new electric) you can see it. Need to take a pic with winch wiring added to battery. Running an Optima Blue on Passenger Side and a Optima Yellow on Main battery. Will be doing the same on the longbed, but using it for other resources.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kyjtYpF33tX6SgTV7

[Wildergarten]

Thanks Ron, those are great pix. Will spend a few pondering your choices. That's one huge bumper you've got there.

I didn't see the isolator. Which did you choose? I'm looking at the Blue Sea ACR: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Systems ... ag=mh0b-20

[Hobcobble]

I have a spare battery on opposite/passenger side. Brace is gone from front end/radiator holder. Spare tray fits in nicely. Among other things, I use it to run a 12,000 lb electric winch on the front end. Has an isolator so that you can also run 12V power off it. Highly recommend it. If you scroll down at this link to a Google Photo Album (about winch and bumper work on 4WD longbed - original Braden winch - and 4WD short bed - new electric) you can see it. Need to take a pic with winch wiring added to battery. Running an Optima Blue on Passenger Side and a Optima Yellow on Main battery. Will be doing the same on the longbed, but using it for other resources.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kyjtYpF33tX6SgTV7

Great photos. I like the hood horns on that truck with the '68
hood.

Good information on the second battery set up/location too.

John