ElizaDolittle
New member
Looks wonderful! I would be interested in 2 if they fit. I plan to put 2 more group 31s just back of the rear axle... would your brackets work there?
Econoline Frame Rail Battery Box
- Thread starter ddelong6767
- Start date
Raul
Adventurer
Beautiful. I love the waterjet cuts.
This looks like a great option to add batteries anywhere, just drill new holes if you can not use existing ones.
If you increase the radii on the 90 degree angle of the cut our triangle on the side you will reduce the chances of cracking on that area (I may be over analyzing the design)
This looks like a great option to add batteries anywhere, just drill new holes if you can not use existing ones.
If you increase the radii on the 90 degree angle of the cut our triangle on the side you will reduce the chances of cracking on that area (I may be over analyzing the design)
ddelong6767
Member
Sorry for the delay, been busy... Finally got around to installing this a couple days ago. First impressions are that it seems pretty solid. The mount felt a little thin but all bolted up it's much more rigid than I was expecting. A few notes on the design/installation:
Thoughts, feedback, etc. welcome. And forgive the somewhat messy wiring, that's my T-Max isolator you can see in the pics and I haven't tidyed everything up yet.
- I was able to install it without dropping the tank, but I won't say it's easy. I put the battery in the tray, raised it on a floor jack, and then fed the bolts through the frame rails (fitting your hand between the tank and rails is tight, manipulating bolts and wrenches while it's in there is even more challenging). Once I had it hanging on the bolts with the nuts started I was able to remove the jack and finish tightening everything up.
- The parking brake cable had to be relocated down a couple inches. The clearance behind the tray was good but when actuating the brake the cable would rise up and hit the tray. I made a new mount by taking a piece of angle iron, drilling the proper hole and welding it below the factory mount. This could probably be done by making a bolt on bracket using the two factory holes as the mount instead for a no-weld setup.
- The tray hangs about 1 inch below the pinch weld when installed.
Thoughts, feedback, etc. welcome. And forgive the somewhat messy wiring, that's my T-Max isolator you can see in the pics and I haven't tidyed everything up yet.
bajavanadu
Member
well done sir, well done!
ddelong6767
Member
I thought of welding the bolts to the tray, but I think it would maybe be harder to get a nut threaded on inside the frame rail. By putting the bolt through from the back side you just have to hold it, not actually thread a nut on while your hand is in a very cramped space.
I think the original Ford box was for a Group 24, this is designed for Group 31 deep cycle batteries. I'm using the cheap and cheerful Duracell you can find at Sam's: Sam's Club Group 31 AGM. I don't think there are any original Ford vans with the box on the driver's side, but the fact that the holes are there may mean it was a setup they used at some point. One reason I chose this spot was that I was trying to avoid drilling holes in the frame, but when I mounted my T-Max kit I found it wasn't all that hard to get through the steel with a good unibit. You just have to be sure and not hit any of the lines or wiring on the inside of the frame rail. I suppose someone could use this tray and mount a battery anywhere on the rail as long as they don't mind drilling four 1/2" holes.
jblaze5779
Observer
Dang that looks sweet as!
jblaze5779
Observer
Could you not just drill holes in the frame and thread them?
another_mike
Adventurer
I dont think the frame material is thick enough to get enough thread engagement
jblaze5779
Observer
Four bolts pulling perpendicular to the hole. I think you'd be alright. Interesting topic though. I think the frame is maybe 0.25in thick? maybe 3/16?