View Full Version : battery location?
tcsracing1
10-20-2017, 07:49 PM
what options are there for battery location?
Bguetter
10-20-2017, 08:03 PM
I just received the front battery mount kit from Mark at Breeze. Very nice kit and puts the battery up front near the engine.
chmhasy
10-20-2017, 08:17 PM
I got the FFMetal battery box in the trunk
John4337
10-20-2017, 08:25 PM
I used the Breeze option, works great. Keeps the cable runs short, easy to get to.
John
tcsracing1
10-20-2017, 09:41 PM
my battery is currently in the trunk.
Is it possible to make room and located it further into the trunk next to roll bar?
AC Bill
10-20-2017, 10:58 PM
my battery is currently in the trunk.
Is it possible to make room and located it further into the trunk next to roll bar?
Some builders added a drop box to the upper trunk shelf, to put the battery in. There was/is (?), a vendor making the boxes for that purpose.
You could probably fit a smaller battery, on the upper shelf, on a battery tray, rather then with the provided battery box. This would allow you to lift it, and slide it out for replacement when required.
BEAR-AvHistory
10-20-2017, 11:30 PM
In the trunk on the upper shelf.
Here are a couple of pictures of the FF Metal trunk floor battery box I installed:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4339/36654481626_bac7db9d04_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XR2Nn9)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4392/36654479716_c3fbfa15f6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XR2MNd)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4432/36980802492_6f2bf5a3c8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/YkShbY)
GoDadGo
10-21-2017, 07:12 AM
In the trunk on the upper shelf.
Ditto on the location with Kevin; however, I did upgrade the battery box with one that I purchased from Speedway motors.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Steel-Weld-In-Battery-Box-Tray,3455.html
I bent the upper tabs over 90 degrees, with a little Map Gas induced heat, and then had a friend Powder Coat it before bolting it in.
rich grsc
10-21-2017, 09:02 AM
On the passenger side foot box top.
dallas_
10-21-2017, 09:20 AM
mine is down between the engine and front frame rail on the passenger side.
skidd
10-21-2017, 08:40 PM
Home made front battery box for a group 51 size battery. Has no trouble starting my 302. Just a bit of angle iron, neighbors mig welder, hammer, saw , and some heavy duty self tapping bolts I found at tractor supply. Used the battery hold down that came with the kit (not pictured).
http://www.ludicrous-speed.com/zp/cache/Shanes%20Cobra/TheBuild/IMG_20170212_111049330_595.jpg
http://www.ludicrous-speed.com/zp/cache/Shanes%20Cobra/TheBuild/IMG_20170212_111005745_595.jpg
2bking
10-21-2017, 10:33 PM
In the trunk using the dropped trunk space to slide the battery on its side into the space available over the pumpkin.
75721
BEAR-AvHistory
10-22-2017, 12:39 AM
Have a billet base built to match the bottom shape of the red top. Locks down with clamps built into the base.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=14742&pictureid=64761
dmoran
10-28-2017, 06:06 PM
I went with the Breeze front mount. Very convienent and easy to work with.
CraigS
10-29-2017, 06:44 AM
Be careful w/ the trunk boxes depending on what rear suspension you have. They don't all fit.
RobReam
10-29-2017, 02:12 PM
I went with the Breeze kit. I like it!
greenbaygreg
10-30-2017, 11:07 AM
I have the FF Metals trunk battery box. Well made and fits perfectly.
Avalanche325
10-30-2017, 05:49 PM
FF Metals if you want the weight where the car needs it. I have had to access my battery precisely ZERO times in 3+ years, so not like it needs to be convenient. I did upgrade my cables in full disclosure.
scottiec
10-30-2017, 07:02 PM
Ffmetal here. Nice and out of the way!
TexasAviator
10-30-2017, 10:17 PM
Ditto on the location with Kevin; however, I did upgrade the battery box with one that I purchased from Speedway motors.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Steel-Weld-In-Battery-Box-Tray,3455.html
I bent the upper tabs over 90 degrees, with a little Map Gas induced heat, and then had a friend Powder Coat it before bolting it in.
nice find godadgo!
Bobby Doug
10-31-2017, 03:59 AM
FFMetal Battery box. I also upgraded my battery cables. After 2k miles I have not once needed to touch battery. I do have a cockpit cutoff though and I have used it a few times.
Doc76
02-11-2025, 12:56 PM
Here are a couple of pictures of the FF Metal trunk floor battery box I installed:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4339/36654481626_bac7db9d04_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XR2Nn9)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4392/36654479716_c3fbfa15f6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XR2MNd)
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4432/36980802492_6f2bf5a3c8_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/YkShbY)
Any chance of a picture to see how close this is to the diff and 3-link cross bar?
Doc76
02-25-2025, 09:32 PM
The FF Metals box will hit the diff cover if you’re running a Mk4, 3-link with a GT500 finned cover.
Ask me how I know.
I will add this is a super nice piece and Id like to find a smaller battery that may allow me to notch the box and still use it. Very well made.
Any suggestions on battery options would be appreciated.
The FF Metals box will hit the diff cover if you’re running a Mk4, 3-link with a GT500 finned cover.
Ask me how I know.
I will add this is a super nice piece and Id like to find a smaller battery that may allow me to notch the box and still use it. Very well made.
Any suggestions on battery options would be appreciated.
It's easier to just use a simple steel diff cover. You won't see it unless you are under the car. The effort of modifying the box and finding a smaller battery doesn't seem worth the trouble, but that's just my opinion. I tried one of the fancy covers and reverted back after it hit the box. If I were doing the car over, I'd have gone with a front mounted battery.
GoDadGo
02-26-2025, 07:52 AM
In the trunk on the upper shelf.
Ditto!
MKIV #8515 has the battery in the same place as Da-Bear.
rich grsc
02-26-2025, 10:13 AM
Fancy aluminum covers are like chrome, they are for show, not go. You could grind a little clearance on the cover. I agree front mount battery, but you already have the rear box.
Doc76
02-26-2025, 09:57 PM
For those of you that have the rear box, how much clearance do you have when sitting on the ground?
I won’t have my wheels back for a few weeks.
Totally willing to trim the fins just hoping for a better idea of what’s needed before committing to cutting a hole in the floor ;)
Nickjj
03-01-2025, 09:58 AM
I went with the Breeze front mount setup, very clean and accessible installation. Also makes for shorter battery cable runs to the starter and frees up a little more room in the trunk.
211007
Jimmy B
03-02-2025, 08:43 AM
211030
OSU Cowboy
03-02-2025, 06:34 PM
Breeze Front Mount. The little Group 51 battery is coming up on 5 years old with 24000 miles on what is a fairly high compression 347 motor. That little dude is still cranking away. At 66+ years old, and I got that big battery sitting down in a trunk hole ... it's hard for me to imagine trying to pull that guy out when it needs to be changed. Sure - not something one needs to do very often. But still. If you already have the box for the trunk - put it in and use it for additional trunk space.
FarmerDave1321
03-03-2025, 10:22 AM
I went with the Breeze front mount setup, very clean and accessible installation. Also makes for shorter battery cable runs to the starter and frees up a little more room in the trunk.
211007
Same. I like the additional room in the trunk and ease of access to the battery itself.
ASL67
03-03-2025, 12:33 PM
If your married, put it where the passenger seat goes. (sorry just trying to add humor)
Avalanche325
03-04-2025, 02:54 PM
Same. I like the additional room in the trunk and ease of access to the battery itself.
FFMetals rear box doesn't take trunk space. As far as ease of access, I touched my battery once in 8 years, when I replaced it.
Rear puts the weight where you need it. It also keeps it out of a hot engine bay, which batteries don't like.
Jeff Kleiner
03-04-2025, 03:26 PM
Rear puts the weight where you need it...
That's open for discussion but we could go on for days ;)
Jeff