Alternate Battery Location

[AA-ron]

I'm sure it's been done like this before, but here's my completed battery box, and I figured I'd share my progress. Stuff like this is the fun part for me.... I'm terrified of my next step, which is plumbing brake lines.
I'm obviously doing a drop trunk. I have it designed, and will start the fabrication a bit further into the build. I've got to say, these last three weeks have been a blast! With each step crossed off in the FFR manual, I sit back, grab a beer, do a finger count, and revel in amazement at my accomplishment. I share this because I have absolutely NO auto mechanical experience and thought that would be a real hinderance. Happily, I was wrong (so far).



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[mladen]

Looking good! Can't tell from the photos, does the battery clear the tank, in case you need to replace it?

I dreaded the brake lines but they ended up being much easier than I thought. Some tips from my experience, skip the pipe bending tool and do it by hand against a pipe or other round object. I used the roll bar mounting post. Before you start bending, make sure the fitting is at the end of the line so it doesn't get "stuck" in the middle. I used some masking tape to hold them at the ends. Lastly, start with the rear. You'll get better at it as you go along, and if something isn't as nice esthetically, it won't be visible.

And I get you on the progress, for me it has been throwing away the boxes of parts. Every time I throw one out I get a hit of dopamine :D

[Ted G]

Are you removing the battery from the side? I'm not 100% sure the RT Drop trunk is that low. You will obviously need to customize your aluminum and the bolts on top will protrude the aluminum. So far looks very professional!! I also did a drop trunk mod an mounted my battery back in the same area. Here is a few pics of mine:

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[AA-ron]

Ha! yes, the battery sides right out-- even tried it with a mocked-up dropped trunk bottom. That's great advice on the brake lines, thanks! And yes, tossing the boxes feels great. Although recycle day is only twice a month, so that's a bit tricky :)

[AA-ron]

I'm forming my own dropped trunk to accommodate the battery sliding out towards the rear. The bolts protruding up though will be removed and replaced when the aluminum goes in and will sandwich the whole assembly together. I love what you did in your trunk-- that looks amazing and it looks like you've reclaimed a significant amount of space. Nice!

[Avalanche325]

...skip the pipe bending tool and do it by hand against a pipe or other round object.

I have to disagree with this. It can be done for the OCCAISIONAL special radius. They make bending tools for a reason.

[AC Bill]

I can't see anything on either of Ron's or Ted's, in the way of a retaining strap, or bracket of sorts to stop the battery from up and down movement when going over bumps, or rough roads? Perhaps there plans for that still in the works?

I found using a stiffer/thicker piece of galvanized wire to mock up brake and fuel lines, allowed me to see where all the bends were needed, and how tight they needed to be. I then modeled the shape of the wire with the lines themselves. Using two wrench sockets in a vice, side by side was great for making tighter bends, without kinking the lines. I did use a proper line bender too.
Handy for bending pig-tails at the master cylinder, and/or other connection points. They allow the lines some flexibility, if for example you needed to replace the master cylinder, which may mean moving the lines out of the way slightly. The flexibility also makes it easier to line up the threads with the MC to prevent cross-threading when reinstalling. Mind you, not everyone bothers with pig tails, it's a builders choice if they want them, they're not mandatory..:)

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[CraigS]

For brake lines the ones FFR sends work well. They are near identical to ones from Advance or other parts stores. They are easy to bend and available in many lengths so you may be able to skip cutting and flaring completely. Another option is Nicopp which is very easy to bend and will never rust.