View Full Version : Battery access in FFMetal trunk box
OK, so I had to put a new battery in my car since the original went dead while at the painters. No body on the car currently, but I tried to slide the new battery under the 3/4 tube that runs across the top of the trunk, since that's the only way I can figure you could get a battery in or out once the body goes on. To my surprise, the battery (actually the posts) would not fit under the 3/4 tube! The only way I could get it in the box was by going over the tube, which will not be possible once the body is on. The really bad part is in pushing the handle, that comes with the battery, down so that the lid on the box will close, it disconnected from one side of the battery. So, now I have no way to lift the battery if I do have to remove it.
Am I missing something regarding how to get the battery in and out? Any way to replace that handle to lift the battery? I still have some time before the body is finished being painted, so any ideas of what I can do would be helpful.
Rdone585
03-12-2022, 08:05 PM
What size battery is it that you have now? There are many sizes. You could search and find one with sufficient CCA that is shorter.
Have you tried to lay the battery on its side and then flipping it upright once it clears the frame? This assumes you used the specific battery that is recommended by FF Metal, which is an Optima group 34 red top. Optima batteries are usually slightly smaller than the same group from other brands.
If you have a helper, you can push the battery up from under the car to get it out of the box.
It's a group 34 Optima red top. I guess it might work to lay it on it's side and then rotate it upright. Also didn't think about pushing it up from below. I forgot about the large center hole in the bottom of the box. It was just discouraging to have the handle come loose. I guess it just adds to the excitement!
Thanks for the input. I'll have to make some notes and put them in the folder for if and when I have to replace the battery.
MVRight
03-13-2022, 11:51 AM
Same deal for me. Not enough room for the handle and have to lay on side to get in and out. Have a battery tender wire mounted to delay the pain of getting it back out. It will be pushed from underneath to get it out.
Bill_VA
03-13-2022, 09:07 PM
Like the others said, the box is specifically designed for the Optima Redtop, group 34 battery (not the 34/78 with side posts, you don't want the side posts accidentally contacting the aluminum sides of the box). It's a bit of a magic/strong man act to get the battery in and out. Leaving the handle on helps a lot (don't ask how I know). Yes, you can use the big hole in the bottom to push the battery up if you have a helper.
I'd also strongly suggest remote battery terminals (see photo) so you won't have to access the battery to test or recharge it, unless it actually needs to be replaced. In 17 years, I'm on my 3rd battery and have only had the cover off to change the battery and recently to wire up my new Holley EFI system.
163905
I am Bill Dane, owner of FFmetal.com, so if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
703-517-8316
ffmetal.parts at gmail.com (edited to avoid spam robots)
Derald Rice
03-13-2022, 09:15 PM
with a section of 3 inch (?) PVC pipe and a floor jack, I have pushed it up from underneath and removed the battery by myself without any issues.
Bill_VA
03-13-2022, 09:25 PM
with a section of 3 inch (?) PVC pipe and a floor jack, I have pushed it up from underneath and removed the battery by myself without any issues.
Excellent. Necessity is the mother of invention!
mcwho
03-13-2022, 09:55 PM
I have the trunk battery box and have replaced the battery one time since putting the battery on. I use a ACDELCO 47AGM size and i was able to install a new one by lifting the top front of the battery out first and then pull it back and install new batt ny pushing the bottom toward the hole first . I ahve a picture it was not as obvious as it sounds but it does work. My battery maybe a bit shorter,
Bob
i will try and attach a picture163912
mcwho
03-13-2022, 10:01 PM
I have the trunk battery box and have replaced the battery one time since putting the battery on. I use a ACDELCO 47AGM size and i was able to install a new one by lifting the top front of the battery out first and then pull it back and install new batt ny pushing the bottom toward the hole first . I ahve a picture it was not as obvious as it sounds but it does work. My battery maybe a bit shorter,
Bob
i will try and attach a picture
Derald, that's a great idea! Typically, when I need to do something with a helper, no one is around. Like Bill said, "necessity is the mother of invention". And thanks for the offer, Bill. If I run into something that I can't figure, I may give you a shout. Bob, thanks for reconfirming the fact that it needs to lay on its side to slide under the 3/4 tube. I think my brain is still in wet battery mode where you tried to never have a battery on its side. All this new-fangled technology has got my old brain confused!
Thanks again guys.
mcwho
03-14-2022, 09:07 PM
if you consider the 47AGM like i did you will not need to invent more difficult ways to install a battery, no matter whar the box was "made for"
mcwho
03-14-2022, 09:19 PM
Like the others said, the box is specifically designed for the Optima Redtop, group 34 battery (not the 34/78 with side posts, you don't want the side posts accidentally contacting the aluminum sides of the box). It's a bit of a magic/strong man act to get the battery in and out. Leaving the handle on helps a lot (don't ask how I know). Yes, you can use the big hole in the bottom to push the battery up if you have a helper.
I'd also strongly suggest remote battery terminals (see photo) so you won't have to access the battery to test or recharge it, unless it actually needs to be replaced. In 17 years, I'm on my 3rd battery and have only had the cover off to change the battery and recently to wire up my new Holley EFI system.
163905
I am Bill Dane, owner of FFmetal.com, so if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
703-517-8316
ffmetal.parts at gmail.com (edited to avoid spam robots)
I agree wholeheartedly re the remote battery terminals, that way yoyu can keep the battery box closed .
Derald Rice
03-15-2022, 11:22 AM
Excellent. Necessity is the mother of invention!
From the first time I saw the hole in the bottom, that is what I thought the hole was originally designed for.
You should take the credit and advertise the " Battery Extraction Hole".
mcwho
03-15-2022, 01:19 PM
side nore, my first battery was an odyssey small footpring. To save weight I went w this, couldnt hold a charge. Later whilst replacong the windshield i felt that the blinker relays were warm. short story, there is a power leak somewhere. I use the master kill switch ALWAYS when its parked and that issue is somewhere on my todo list.
bythe way o got my ACDELCO 47AGM battery from AMAZON $299.00 current price. very strong.
Bob, I'm going to make a note of that battery. Other than getting the new red top for $35, I would have gone a different direction, except for the fact that I am limited out on budget for the car right now. I'll consider it if this one takes a crap on me.