Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Battery Cables for a '94

[NKenny]

I am wanting to replace all 3 cables and their associated power/ground lines. There is significant corrosion on all of them and it is starting to really show up in morning starts. The truck was purchased used with some of the clamp on style connectors that I would like to replace as well.



Is there a more affordable option than the dealer? They quoted $170 for the long cable connecting the two batteries and $89 for each of the side cables. After dropping $260 on batteries, the thougth of another $350 for cables was disgusting. I vowed to find another suppier or make my own, but the suppliers have been very limted.



Thanks to all.

 

[ttbird]

Check out this place. Got a set for my 95 a year or so ago. Could not find any cheaper or better. I also didn't want to pay the dealers price. Don't remember how much I paid but they were nice. Dodge Battery Cables from CustomBatteryCables.com

 

[NKenny]

Check out this place. Got a set for my 95 a year or so ago. Could not find any cheaper or better. I also didn't want to pay the dealers price. Don't remember how much I paid but they were nice. Dodge Battery Cables from CustomBatteryCables.com

Amen!!! Those will be perfect. Thank you.

 

[EKlem]

Making your own cables is not hard. If you have corrosion problems, I would recommend using tinned wire instead of just bare copper when you replace them. Tinned wire can be purchased through any marine store.

 

[NKenny]

Making your own cables is not hard. If you have corrosion problems, I would recommend using tinned wire instead of just bare copper when you replace them. Tinned wire can be purchased through any marine store.

What method do you use for building the terminals? Clamp, crimp, solder?? Also, where do you find the clamps for 2/0 or 1/0 cable. There is no source that I know of near me, including the local Checker and Car Quest. Thanks.

 

[EKlem]

What method do you use for building the terminals? Clamp, crimp, solder?? Also, where do you find the clamps for 2/0 or 1/0 cable. There is no source that I know of near me, including the local Checker and Car Quest. Thanks.

I always either crimp or solder the ends of all my cables. Clamps work well but the sources that I use doesn't carry them. If I have the choice, I crimp them. It takes a special tool to crimp lugs that large but I have one since I have built 3 electric trucks and they are wired with all 2/0. If I don't have the tool with me, I just solder the connections and have never had a problem.



I get all of my lugs and cable at the local hamilton marine. I know that you can get stuff from westmarine if you are looking online but I suspect their prices are higher. The marine industry tends to be a slightly more expensive but much better quality option for wiring. Everything is built so that it won't corrode and so that it won't fail when you are way offshore. The standard brand is Ancor and it works quite well.

 

[tgordon]

Another option is a ag equipment dealer. The JD dealer I worked for carried 2/0 an dassociated ends. We would crimp them onto the cable using the same machine and differant dies as we used for hydralic hoses. In a pinch I have made them for lawn mowers:-laf:-laf. Charged by the foot for the cable, piece for the ends, and crimping was free.

 

[ANicklas]

What about a welding shop? Find some high-quality ends and they'd probably be able to make you up something.

 

[NKenny]

Also great options. I have been running down the above leads. I'll post back with a the results.



Thanks for the input... all much better than the dealer option and significantly better than the Checker option.

 

[Howard Durand]

A good tight, properly crimped, connection is preferable to solder. Solder creeps out into the line and you lose flexibility.

After getting the lines replaced, get some Optima batteries or any of the others of the same type and you will never have any more corrosion problems.

If you know of anyone that works on golf carts, they may have parts and crimpers too.