[cumminsfrog]

I sick of cleaning corrosion off my battery terminals every couple of weeks. Ive also replaced my batteries at least 3 times since Ive owned the truck over the last several years. The local battery shops say this is a common problem with the Dodge diesels. I need batteries once again and Im determined to go with a 8D glass mat battery (1450 CCA's) and mount it in a battery box in the bed of my truck. Does anyone have experience with doing something like this. Im not sure of cable size, lengths or any other specifics. Im going to use my truck for camping with a camper shell, the electrical power back there will come in handy (hydrogen gas is not a concern it is a sealed battery). Any suggestions?

 

[cumminsfrog]

Anybody?
Well Im having second thoughts about the 8d. I took some measurements and the 8d is going to take up too muck room in the bed. I still want to put the batteries in the bed, but Im looking at 2 group 27's(AMG)up foreword in the bed on either sides in battery boxes.

 

[cummins992]

Anybody?
Well Im having second thoughts about the 8d. I took some measurements and the 8d is going to take up too muck room in the bed. I still want to put the batteries in the bed, but Im looking at 2 group 27's(AMG)up foreword in the bed on either sides in battery boxes.

I work at batteries plus, I would recommend a 4dlt or 4d. 8d is overkill. unless you had some type of onboard inverter and needed amperage for an extended period of time. 8ds go in dozers and backhoes and stuff.

or you could run a group size 31 starting battery, thats what goes in semis, usually 3 or 4 but it would be a good single replacement. lots of amperage and usually have 800 to 1000cca with a good unit. Ive thought of running a single 31 in the bed box

 

[cumminsfrog]

Thanks, I think I'll seriously look into 2 group 31 batteries this week. Sounds good!

 

[ncsucarjock88]

I'm running two group 31's. They do not fit in the battery box - I cut out the backside of the box, just the lip, and sit them down in there. Done my truck and my buddies truck. Think the ones I got from CarQuest are a HD/Farm battery, with 1140 or 1240 CCA per battery...

If you can find some Cyclo battery corrosion protectant, it will cease all of the corrosion. Clean things up really good, and then coat each terminal - Pro-tip - dont' spray from the can... (it's aerosol) but spray a lot in the cap, and then use a small brush and brush it on and in all around...make sure you get all of the surfaces of the terminals. Reassemble, the connections, then top coat with another layer. Zero corrosion buildup... Quite nice. I had to re-make one of the battery cables for my bud's truck it was so far gone - corrosion had eaten it entirely away. Hope that helps some. If you need more details on the battery box, let me know, but it's pretty straightforward once you get the batteries, and can see what's going on.

 

[BlackedOut02]

its kind of expensive, but you may want to look into XS power batteries.

 

[Pele]

I'm running two group 31's. They do not fit in the battery box

FALSE!

See my thread:
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/98-5-02-non-powertrain/377885-group-31-batteries-installed.html

Group 31 batteries FTW. Dropped right in and were cheaper than Wal*Mart stock Group 27 replacements.

 

[ncsucarjock88]

True!!! The batteries you purchased may fit. But the batteries I purchased will not... Casing design? I dunno. We're talking about a very minor amount, probably under 1/4", but there are nubs at the base of the battery box, and the CarQuest HD Group 31's will not sit flush and level on the bottom of the battery tray without some minor modification. Other group 31's may fit - but mine wouldn't...

 

[Pele]

True!!! The batteries you purchased may fit. But the batteries I purchased will not... Casing design? I dunno. We're talking about a very minor amount, probably under 1/4", but there are nubs at the base of the battery box, and the CarQuest HD Group 31's will not sit flush and level on the bottom of the battery tray without some minor modification. Other group 31's may fit - but mine wouldn't...

Group 31 is a physical size. All Group 31s should fit.

BCI Battery Group Size Chart

 

[nlneilson]

Group 31 is a physical size. All Group 31s should fit.

Not always, there can be small differences in the battery design.
Usually the ribs on the base of the battery or the box can be ground down.

Porsche 928s and several other cars have the battery in the back for weight distribution. If you do that use a heavy gauge cable for positive. A good ground from the battery negative to the frame and from the frame to the engine.

You should consider another battery for camping or have a small gas generator to charge them up if they run down so far the diesel won't start.
It can be a real pain camping and not being able to start.

_________________________________________________
'95 Diesel Dually

 

[carbon]

I am working on putting an 8d in right now. Fits in my tool box fine. little hard to move at 130lbs. I got this interstate battery for only 80 bucks

 

[nlneilson]

I got this interstate battery for only 80 bucks

That is a great price.

They are about $200 including tax.

 

[GloNDark]

I've got group 31 batteries in my 02, dropped right in, no mod's needed. :thumbsup:

 

[m5b6l]

the 3516 caterpillar's at my work use 4 8d's (24v system). I have always thought of using one but i have had zero problems with the 27's i have now. maybe when they go out ill try it out.

 

[cumminsfrog]

Group 31's in the engine compartment-no mods-fit well? Im going to seriously look into it this week. I need to get back on the road soon.

 

[carbon]

I also had group 31s in before the 86, they fit in the tray but I needed to make special hold downs because the stock ones were way too short.

 

[Junkman]

I'm wondering why the OP is having corrosion trouble. I have stock batteries in the stock location and haven't cleaned the terminals in a year. I had the cables off the other day for a steering box install Y noted how clean they were.

 

[blkram1]

I used 2 Paccar group 31s with the stock hold downs, all I did was trim the ends of both trays.

 

[5.9fan]

Id use deep cycle batteries for camping power. Regular batteries dies quick and are usually damaged by a few deep discharges.