Relocating Batteries???

[Digger]

Can anyone tell me the cost of relocating the batteries to the bed? Is it a hard process or just time consuming? Thinking of doing it on my '03 to free up some space and clean-up the engine compartment.



Thanks digger

 

[John - K5AWO]

Bad idea... . #1, starting current is very high when the starter initially cranks the motor. High starting currents will produce a large voltage drop on the cables between the battery and the starter motor.



#2. To overcome #1, you will need to triple the wire guage of the battery starting cables at a bare minimum. This will get expensive in a hurry.



#3. moving the batteries means you have to provide protection for them. Marine battery cases, etc... it will also take up space.



In your effort to "clean up" the underhood area (which you can't see when driving anyway), you will have to clutter up an otherwise good looking truck.



I am not sure as to why you would want to do this. However, there is one advantage to doing so, the batteries would be removed from the high heat of the engine compartment. However, they already last from 3 to 5 years, so why bother? My batteries are six years old and still going strong (I just nixed them ).



It can be done, but I personally see no advantage to doing so.



JMHO FWIW

 

[ob1kobi]

Digger,



I moved mine to the bed in my 2 wheel drive truck, and got rid of one, with no problems at all. I don't have the heaters installed anymore, so I don't know how well it will do in the winter, but I am not really concerned about that anyhow. I didn't increase cable size or anything. Hardest part was finding a battery box that would fit the oversized batteries.



Ted

 

[BigBadDodge]

#4 go for it



How big is your bumper ?



#ad






#ad






Since the pics I have made a nice diamond plate cover to cover the winch bay area.



BBD

 

[Digger]

Thanks guys, can anyone give me a ballpark on cost? I just want to move them to the bed. I have a bed rug and a tonneau cover so they shouldn't look bad back there. I would like to stay away from the cost of a bumper like BBD has until it is neccessary.

thanks digger

 

[TBrennan]

That's a creative placement for the batteries but the issue I would have is that in any significant front end collision the side battery terminals would be smashed against the bumper back and immediately short and potentially explode or generally cause major electrical chaos.



I would at least mount a thick (1/4") rubber pad on the inside back of the bumper.

 

[dan_gilson]

Using a bettery that can be stored in any position is a plus.

It has been suggested in the past to place them up beside a fram rail.



It would be best to place them further aft as possible. This will reduce the weight on the front axle, which is already close to max. That can allow you to upgrade the bumper.



Although it is a convient place to store the batteries in the front bumper (as pictured above) it does not reduce the weight on the front end. Also moving the all that weight further forward can have some ill effects on the truck handling. Anything more outward from an axle is generally bad.



The good thing about being in the bumper is the easy of access (althought this can be a bad thing too - if they are missing when you return).



Pick you trade off's wisely!

 

[tractorface]

Great Idea

I think it is a very good Idea. I plan to relocate mine to the frame rail behind the passenger side cab. High heat is the number one enemy of the battery. A nice insulated battery box can add a lot of life to a battery. You will also not be as limited by space for battery size. The only drawback is that the wire will need to be upsized. I will be using 444 DLO since I can get a "scap" piece for nothing.



With that said. $150. 00 bucks for fresh batteries every two years ain't all that bad. From the charts I have seen certain batteries can last ten years if kept cool :--) Now that might be worth while.

 

[2broke2smoke]

158$

is how much i had in moving mine to the bed ...



used 1 gauge between the batteries ... to the frame from the batteries ... and back up from the frame to the stock grounds in the front



just used premade deals from the local farm store



use 2/0 from napa ... 17 feet worth ... from battery to starter



kept all the stock grounds hooked up and ran 1 gauge up from both framerails to the stock location ...



rides better with 100 lbs off the nose and in the bed ...

 

[Rob Thomas]

I think it is a very good Idea. I plan to relocate mine to the frame rail behind the passenger side cab. High heat is the number one enemy of the battery.

Ditto,



This is where I moved my battery also. I only use one, a Odessey 1700 DRY cell (extreme weather doesn't effect it supposedly)/deep cycle/start, bla, bla, I love this battery. It's enclosed in it's own steel case, right behind the cab it doesn't seem to collect to much salt/snow in the winter, or dirt/other debris in the other months, no complaints yet, and it doesn't take up any space that you'd normally use.



I also used 2/0 cable, but ran double cables from the starter to the battery, and double grounds. Worked great all winter, and continues to work flawlessly. If anyone has seen my engine bay, you know how much room there is for things like twins, water injection parts/ water tank, air compressor, ect,ect.





Rob

 

[Digger]

Rob,

From the sounds of it you are going to need all that extra room in the engine bay. I heard there are a few good running 03's in your area that give you a run for your money.

digger

 

[Rob Thomas]

Rob,

From the sounds of it you are going to need all that extra room in the engine bay. I heard there are a few good running 03's in your area that give you a run for your money.

digger

Those two 03's run well against me... ... ... ... ... ... ... when my heap is feeling ill, when it's feeling swell, they're just another couple of trucks behind me. :-laf





Rob (please truck, don't break by or at the next pull, please)

 

[BigBadDodge]

It would take some doing to get the batteries out as they won't fit up through the winch bay openeing with the lugs screwed in so inorder to remove or steal them they would first, have to know there in the bumper, second, unscrew the diamond plate cover I made (with thick rubber mat hanging of the back between the intercooler and terminals) third, remove all the wiring, fourth unscrew the terminals, fifth, unscrew the tie downs on both sides of each battery, and sixth if they did 1 thru 5 they have them probablly just as easy to take them from the fram rail or bed of teh truck but I don't know many people who have come out to there rig to find the batteries stolen its usally a stereo, CD's, Money, CB, or something of more value.



If I hit something hard enough to push that big a$$ bumper in that far then I have other problems that I need to worry about.



As far as wieght, I wanted to keep the wieght as far forward as posible for sledpulling, and its my daily driver it handles very good.



I am not saying its good for everybody, it's great for me :-laf



BBD

 

[rfcom]

You guys that moved your batteries - what did you do with the battery temp sensor? The ECM uses this signal to control the charge rate.



Jim

 

[BigBadDodge]

Mine is tucked into a whole in the side of the fender well, no problems though.