Dual Optimas in Stock Location

[5Cruiser]

After pulling my dual yellow tops, national Luna isolator and ruff stuff box out of my 4runner in my move to the 100, I was disappointed that I could not find anyone that got them to fit in the stock spot. Even in one of Slee's great builds he stated that he could not get optimas to fit...he went with oddessys instead. Deflated in by belief that it could be done, I was not ready to give yet. So I have been planning how to make it work for the last month. I am happy to say that today I did it.

I am sans computer right now so I am using my phone. Forgive my lack of details.

I had to cut of the plastic brackets at the fuse box that were holding wires

I had to flatten out the hump and hole that the stock j-bolt connected to. I cut it in a way that would let it fold flat but could still be lifted and rewelded if it ever had to go back to stock.

Here it is flattened. Paint chipped, so I sprayed it in primer.

More pics to come. Please don't post until I am done.

 

[5Cruiser]

These tubes were in the way of the top of the battery box.

So I pulled them from the brackets and bent them up.

Okay kids practice is over. Will finish the thread tonight.

Please don't post yet. More pics to come.

 

[neoworm]

I think the reason Slee couldn't do it is because he didn't want to butcher his truck in the process.

 

[5Cruiser]

Then I installed the battery box. This box came from Ruff Stuff for about $75. I had to cut a little bit of one corner of the box out to fit around the front/driverside-most bolt for the fuse box assembly.

Here is the bolt for the fuse box I was talking about. Here is where the battery box was trimmed a little. You can see the optima is as far back as possible...against the bolt.

Here you can see the reason I needed to bend up the tubing

Here is the money shot...with both batteries installed. You can almost see in this picture that the old bolt location for the stock bar that holds the stock battery in was in the perfect spot to be the new chassis ground. You can also notice that I had to hammer down the chassis a little bit right next to where the hood bumps land on the chassis...right next to the negative pole on the driver-side-most battery. I will get a better picture of that later.

Here is where I stashed the battery isolator

Here is my 4-year old removing the old chassis ground. He was great company and good help.

Here is the big picture

I am very, very happy with this mod, and more so that I didn't have to give up the space behind the air box. I still need to fit a hot water heat exchanger and ARB compressor under the hood. I may now also be able to put an air tank, 3rd battery, water pump, water tank, etc, etc. with the space that my second battery DIDN'T have to go.

Yup...good stuff.

 

[5Cruiser]

I think the reason Slee couldn't do it is because he didn't want to butcher his truck in the process.

Just had to post in the middle of my build thread...

You didn't even let me finish the story...do you see a "butchered truck" in this build?

I don't.

My point is not to dog Slee that he "couldn't" do it, just that I do have so much respect for him and members of this forum that I was totally bummed when I found NO ONE that pulled this off...assuming there would be no way I could do it. (no one that posted on the internet that they did it at least)

I am happy to say that with a little "butchering" (I guess), it CAN BE DONE!! and I for one, think it is totally feasible and really didn't require any excessive...uh...butchering. (yeah, that word kind of hit a sore spot for me...a little negative...a little to quick to be posted)

 

[joelev]

Cool project.

 

[CappyKD]

NICE!

 

[1loudLX]

5Cruiser, good job. People need to realize, we're almost never going to return this stuff to stock, so modifying it a little (and still making it able to return to stock if NEEDED) isnt a big deal. Hell, I cut a huge hole in my fender, drilled a 1/2" hole straight thru my a-pillar and even rhinolined the side. Not really easily reversible in my book.

I like your setup, keeps all the wiring close, and minimal.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

So is the dual battery box just machine screwed to the old battery tray?

 

[spressomon]

Nice job!

 

[hoser]

Bravo! What size batteries are those?

 

[5Cruiser]

Thanks!

Yeah, I don't plan on this rig returning to stock after I have my way, but I still want it done clean and with as much forethought as I can give it. So I sniped a few plastic wire brackets and a bit of caressed metal here and there... no biggie.

So is the dual battery box just machine screwed to the old battery tray?

There's not really a "tray" other than a plastic one. I used large self tapping hex head screws to attach it to the metal below.

 

[1loudLX]

I wasnt going to bring it up but, how are you going to secure those Al lines? Definitely dont want those rubbing on anything. try and move the holder up maybe?

 

[Travis351]

Nice work! That saves some $$ on wire!

 

[Desert Yeti]

Looks great, Nice to know it's possible and that I can keep the compressor on the other side

 

[5Cruiser]

I wasnt going to bring it up but, how are you going to secure those Al lines? Definitely dont want those rubbing on anything. try and move the holder up maybe?

Good reminder. I definetly plan to wrap the lines to eliminate possible contact of dissimilar metals...as well as secure it in place.

Hoser, I will check the battery size tonight. I originally bought them for a 4runner.

 

[neoworm]

Hey well different standards for different folks. As long as you like it more power to ya. They're in there and it looks good. I think for my application and roads that setup would shake itself to pieces. I drive hundreds of miles on crappy washboards and potholes though.

 

[Desert Yeti]

Hey well different standards for different folks. As long as you like it more power to ya. They're in there and it looks good. I think for my application and roads that setup would shake itself to pieces. I drive hundreds of miles on crappy washboards and potholes though.

I don't get it, They are secured much better than the stock single battery in your truck...


You know what they say...
If you've got nothing nice to say....

 

[02 Beast]

Great job. I will refer to this at a later date $$$$

 

[CappyKD]

Did you ever find out the battery size?