3rd gen second batery retrofit

[Karma Supra]

Hi Folks, I know i've asked before...

Has anyone here fitted a second battery tray to a third gen before?

I really want to go for the "factory look" but having not seen a proper twin battery setup in the flesh am not sure if the tray etc just bolts in, or needs welding?

Has anyone done this mod? Is it a part that is salvageable from a breaker and refittabel without much effort? I'm not bothered about the wiring, just getting a secure factory fit looking backet/clamp, without having to go too fab one up.

[IanB2]

I just replaced the batteries in mine a few days ago, the trays themselves are just plastic with a couple dimples in the bottom that set into depresions in the metal below, keeping them in place when the battery is strapped down. The tie-downs have a threaded hole in the rad cradle, and a notch in the metal down behind the battery for the threaded rod's hooked end to grab into.

One thing I didn't expect, was the batteries in the truck were right/left specific, and the cables were not long enough to reach if I spun the 2nd battery around so the poles were on the same side as the cable ends (putting the posts on the front of the battery, not the back like with the old ones). I had to take the batteries back, and get some center post (group 34 I believe) ones, and flattened out one of the neg. terminal ends to make it work.

When the dust settled, I have 1700 cca's of starting power, and it spins my 1KZ-TE over like nothing!

[Karma Supra]

Thanks for your reply Ian,

The bit I am interested in is the metal bit below the plastic tray. I assume it looks like the tray/bracket on the drivers side..., is it welded to the inner wing, or as it was "optional" is it bolted? It looks like I have holes there for bolting..

On non twin battery cars there is not a nice flat platform for the plastic tray to sit on

[IanB2]

Thanks for your reply Ian,

The bit I am interested in is the metal bit below the plastic tray. I assume it looks like the tray/bracket on the drivers side..., is it welded to the inner wing, or as it was "optional" is it bolted? It looks like I have holes there for bolting..

On non twin battery cars there is not a nice flat platform for the plastic tray to sit on

I'm going to be super busy evenings/weekends for the next week or so, but if you're still interested after that I could likely find time to pull the extra battery out and snap some pics for you. Just to confirm, which side of the truck is your battery currently on, and which side would be the "extra"?

[Karma Supra]

Thanks Ian, if you have a mo, and if it is not a big inconveiance that would be great!!

My "single battery" truck has it's battery on the drivers side, so I am interested in the passenger side setup.

[KERRSURF]

the 2nd gen ones are welded sections, pretty basic though and can't be seen once the battery is fitted so fabbing your own and painting it would be pretty easy using the one you have for dimensions.

[markp2]

I'd like to know about the feasability of this as well. My single battery truck seems a bit slow to turn over on cold mornings whereas my previous twin setup spun over nicely when it was -10 degrees.

[spacast]

I have to say I think one big battery is better than two slightly smaller ones - one of the batteries will always age first, and then drag the good one down.
Plus, more connections= more chance of bad connections + longer cables = more voltage drop.
If you have two batteries, then it's best to split them so one starts the car, and both are charged when the engine is running- that way if the primary battery fails, you have a chance to start from the secondary.

http://toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/dualbattery.htm

http://toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/dualbattery1.htm

http://toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/DualBattery.pdf

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...atteries.shtml

[Karma Supra]

Thanks Spacast,

That was my intention anyway!