Rear Mount Battery

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Topic author
1977ChiefLS3
Posts: 179
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 6:40 am

Rear Mount Battery

Post by 1977ChiefLS3 »

Need some help.

The OEM battery location is where I plan to install my airbox.

Now looking to install battery on passenger side, behind rear wheel well.

Anyone have examples? Should that be 2 gauge wire or bigger? Running a 150 Amp alternator. Run wires in the cab and out the firewall?

Thank you.
1983 CJ7 Renegade "Stella"
1977 Cherokee Chief WT "Moytoy" (current project: engine start next step)
1967 Super Wag (next up)
1969 J3600 "El Presidente"
1983 Wagoneer "Hulu"
1979 and 1980 Wags ... for parts
2014 JKUR "Ruby"

will e
Posts: 5096
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am

Re: Rear Mount Battery

Post by will e »

I think I measured there once and it won't fit. Keep in mind that the tailgate angles in.
I don't have wiper fluid so I had someone put a battery box on the front passenger fender. I used an aftermarket coolant overflow. Or build the airbox on that side?
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge

csuengr
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 am
Location: Sterling, CO

Re: Rear Mount Battery

Post by csuengr »

You could also mount the battery underneath. That is how I did mine. Kind of a PITA to change, but I didn't loose any interior or under hood room.

2 gauge should be fine. I run single 0 CCA (copper clad aluminum) wire. I could have gotten away with smaller. And the frame makes a great ground point. My ground runs from the battery to the frame and then I just ran all my other grounds to points on the frame. As for how to route, it's up to you. I haven't found any advantage to running inside the body to outside the body or vise versa.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.

Topic author
1977ChiefLS3
Posts: 179
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 6:40 am

Re: Rear Mount Battery

Post by 1977ChiefLS3 »

csuengr wrote:You could also mount the battery underneath. That is how I did mine. Kind of a PITA to change, but I didn't loose any interior or under hood room.

2 gauge should be fine. I run single 0 CCA (copper clad aluminum) wire. I could have gotten away with smaller. And the frame makes a great ground point. My ground runs from the battery to the frame and then I just ran all my other grounds to points on the frame. As for how to route, it's up to you. I haven't found any advantage to running inside the body to outside the body or vise versa.
When I searched, your build was one of the few that covered a battery relocation. Going underneath for two batteries was a nice solution, especially since the OEM gas tank delete creates a lot of room. That may be my choice as well, although I probably go with a single battery. I'll have to decide next two weeks (1) under including some brackets to hold the box or (2) in the back which creates more interior work. I have to think about mounts for rockers/sliders/steps as well as part of the mounts.

By the way great build. Bet it does real well on the trails. Mine is more of a street Chief with a possible rare offroad attitude, although I'll probably be too worried about 'scratches' to venture far. I've got beaters for that.
1983 CJ7 Renegade "Stella"
1977 Cherokee Chief WT "Moytoy" (current project: engine start next step)
1967 Super Wag (next up)
1969 J3600 "El Presidente"
1983 Wagoneer "Hulu"
1979 and 1980 Wags ... for parts
2014 JKUR "Ruby"

will e
Posts: 5096
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 8:21 am

Re: Rear Mount Battery

Post by will e »

1977ChiefLS3 wrote: By the way great build.
I have seen it in person. It's very impressive. A lot of attention to detail.
81 Waggy 'WILL E' Retired
82 Cherokee WT - SOA/SF/high steer/Alcan springs/agr box/Borgeson steering shaft/AMC 401/performer/holley TA/HEI/BeCool/727/ALTAS (2.0/2.72/5.44)/D60 Snofighter(Yukon Zip,hubs,stubs,4.56)/14 Bolt (FF,BF shave, Discs, ARB,Artec Truss)/MTR 37X12.5/Corbeau XRS Baja & 5 point retractable harness/Hella Aux lights/tuffy console/killer32 sliders/Evil Twin bumpers, rack and roll cage/WARN 8000/TT Fabworks steering brace/dual batts/custom TC skid plate/ARB fridge

csuengr
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 am
Location: Sterling, CO

Re: Rear Mount Battery

Post by csuengr »

Another item to mention. If you do put the battery inside, used a sealed one.

Thank you for the compliment. It is my DD now, so it better work well.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.

Nikkormat
Posts: 3623
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:45 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Rear Mount Battery

Post by Nikkormat »

will e wrote:A lot of attention to detail.
I'll second that!
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
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babywag
Posts: 1217
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:29 pm
Location: Land of Fruit Loops & Coconuts

Re: Rear Mount Battery

Post by babywag »

If you're not using stock heater setup one fits nicely there.
-Tony
'88 GW (aka Babywag)
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