Does anyone have a dual battery setup under the hood of their Express?

[Logan80]

I'm looking for pics and info to help with installing a second battery under the hood of my van.

My pickup was easy because there was a lot of room to mount my second battery and the isolator. My van looks a lot more cramped.

Has anyone here put their house battery under the hood? Any links to parts used would be great!

 

[wjeeper]

I know someone on here just did dual express batteries under the hood, they used a battery tray from a JK if memory serves me right.........let me see if I can dig it up tonight when I am off work!

I have just finished tacking together a dual battery tray for my Express. It was super easy to slap together, tight but pretty easy to zap together!

 

[Logan80]

My main concern was whether or not it would fit. Those JK trays seems fairly reasonable on Amazon, although making one with junkyard parks shouldn't be bad either. That's what I did on my truck.

 

[Trailboss]

I've got a 2001 diesel Express van, and diesels need two batteries. The factory location for the second battery is on the outside of the frame rail about 2 feet behind the driver's seat.

 

[Logan80]

Sounds like that may be a good spot for me to mount my house battery then. Could even use factory parts I'd assume.

 

[Trailboss]

Search for "lightweight battery box" on ebay for bolt-on or weld-on frame boxes. Probably also a good idea to put a rubber or metal shield in front of the box (as on my truck) to block stuff thrown by the front tire.

 

[Accrete]

Greetings,
There is a fellow expo member that has done just what you are asking about.
Check _this post_ and a the prior page I think he has another post or two explaining how he pulled it off.

Best wishes on your build.
Thom

 

[Logan80]

Thank you for that link Accrete. I knew I'd seen that post but was having trouble finding it again. That's exactly what I'd like to do.