Battery sliding around
#1
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Battery sliding around
I have an Optima Yellow Top battery in my '89 4Runner, and it's sliding everywhere! I am using the OEM Toyota battery hold down only, but it's sliding left and right.
What have you guys done to keep an Optima Battery from sliding around? So far, I have a chain of zip-ties holding it in place.....I know, it's so ghetto.
What have you guys done to keep an Optima Battery from sliding around? So far, I have a chain of zip-ties holding it in place.....I know, it's so ghetto.
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The problem is, the stock battery hold-down cannot be tightened enough for it alone to hold the battery in place; also because of the shape of Optima batteries.
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I happen to like my Optima.....although, I did have a bad experience once. Hopefully it was only that one time.
I may have to resort to this.....how is everybody else doing this? I know I'm not the only one running an Optima Battery. Cans I see pichas???
I may have to resort to this.....how is everybody else doing this? I know I'm not the only one running an Optima Battery. Cans I see pichas???
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#9
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It can't hold down the Optima battery very well because of the shape of the battery itself. It's not a rectangular battery, like normal batteries; it's got rounded corners and top. That's why the stock hold-down can't prevent it from sliding left and right.
#12
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![Red face](https://www.yotatech.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif)
If that is the case just make yourself a new top bracket .
One end will attach to the radiator support the other to the J hook
make two pieces to slide down over the circular part of the battery.
weld to the top piece .
I venture I could modify a stock one to work.![grin](https://www.yotatech.com/forums/images/smilies/grin.gif)
tighten it down and your done.
Do they not make hold downs for this type of battery??
If all else fails the good old tarp strap does wonders.
One end will attach to the radiator support the other to the J hook
make two pieces to slide down over the circular part of the battery.
weld to the top piece .
I venture I could modify a stock one to work.
![grin](https://www.yotatech.com/forums/images/smilies/grin.gif)
tighten it down and your done.
Do they not make hold downs for this type of battery??
If all else fails the good old tarp strap does wonders.
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If your bungee cord idea isn't cool enough for you, I'd make a box for it instead of a new bracket. A sheet of steel and a few feet of barstock will make you a clean an sturdy box you can just bolt directly into the firewall.
#14
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Yes but even with a box you still need something to keep the battery from bouncing around.
The potholes here it would possible to have it bounce up and hit the hood after enough times the rubber boot over the positive terminal rubs through.
I am not sure but I don`t have room to mount a battery to the firewall.
The potholes here it would possible to have it bounce up and hit the hood after enough times the rubber boot over the positive terminal rubs through.
I am not sure but I don`t have room to mount a battery to the firewall.
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Here's my zip-tie setup as of now. It prevents the battery from hitting the power steering reservoir, but now the negative battery terminal hits the fender:
![Name: 20131108_145129_zpsdea161eb.jpg
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The front part of the hold down is fine, but as you can see here, the rear part doesn't hold anything:
![Name: 20131108_145142_zpsb167678f.jpg
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And here's a pic of the battery tray. Also note that I am already using the provided spacer:
![Name: 20131108_145129_zpsdea161eb.jpg
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Size: 89.4 KB](https://www.yotatech.com/forums/attachments/f131/148756d1501384982-battery-sliding-around-20131108_145129_zpsdea161eb.jpg)
The front part of the hold down is fine, but as you can see here, the rear part doesn't hold anything:
![Name: 20131108_145142_zpsb167678f.jpg
Views: 180
Size: 91.3 KB](https://www.yotatech.com/forums/attachments/f131/148757d1501384982-battery-sliding-around-20131108_145142_zpsb167678f.jpg)
And here's a pic of the battery tray. Also note that I am already using the provided spacer:
![Name: 20131108_145211_zps30436c91.jpg
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Size: 68.2 KB](https://www.yotatech.com/forums/attachments/f131/148758d1501384982-battery-sliding-around-20131108_145211_zps30436c91.jpg)
Last edited by Shoua; 11-08-2013 at 02:05 PM.
#17
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I think another 1/4" or 3/8" of spacer will cure your problem.
a piece of plastic angle to fit on the side that does not fit against the battery.
modify your top piece so it fits tighter to the battery
simple fix is put a few flat washers on the j-hook to allow more tension on the battery case.
if it is not tight no matter what you do it will still slide and bounce around
I feel sorry for you best of luck
a piece of plastic angle to fit on the side that does not fit against the battery.
modify your top piece so it fits tighter to the battery
simple fix is put a few flat washers on the j-hook to allow more tension on the battery case.
if it is not tight no matter what you do it will still slide and bounce around
I feel sorry for you best of luck
#18
Looks like you bought too small of optima to me. I could have sworn I have seen optima batteries fit perfectly.
edit- also looks like the aux positive post should be covered or could still short on the reservoir.
You seriously need to make a spacer...I wouldn't trust those tiny (Harbor freight?) Zip ties...
edit- also looks like the aux positive post should be covered or could still short on the reservoir.
You seriously need to make a spacer...I wouldn't trust those tiny (Harbor freight?) Zip ties...
Last edited by dropzone; 11-09-2013 at 04:02 AM.
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Looks like you bought too small of optima to me. I could have sworn I have seen optima batteries fit perfectly.
edit- also looks like the aux positive post should be covered or could still short on the reservoir.
You seriously need to make a spacer...I wouldn't trust those tiny (Harbor freight?) Zip ties...
edit- also looks like the aux positive post should be covered or could still short on the reservoir.
You seriously need to make a spacer...I wouldn't trust those tiny (Harbor freight?) Zip ties...
I have post covers on both top posts, which are zip-tied in place. I don't have covers for the side posts though. (I had to use an extension piece so I could install my winch circuit breakers directly to the positive side terminal)
#20
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I see it's been answered but yes, your optima is too small. The newer ones are smaller I think. My red top doesn't fit either. I hammered the hold down and it grips pretty good now. You've just got to work with it or really dedicate to the optima and weld in a box for it.
EDIT:
The problem is that it's too skinny. Wedge something between the front of the battery and the clamp on your holder. Or cut off your clamp, move it backward to fit more flush on the battery, weld it in place. Of you can't weld, get a shop to. Won't cost hardly anything but will give you piece of mind.
EDIT:
The problem is that it's too skinny. Wedge something between the front of the battery and the clamp on your holder. Or cut off your clamp, move it backward to fit more flush on the battery, weld it in place. Of you can't weld, get a shop to. Won't cost hardly anything but will give you piece of mind.
Last edited by 87blackbeauty; 01-03-2014 at 08:16 AM.