750 amps, 88$ battery

[OX1]

Grp 56 batt died on the LTD. Couldn't seem to find any at any kind of resaonable price.
Stumbled on this thread about the 87 up battery tray.

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...8-Battery-tray

So ordered one and it got here today. That batt tray is huge, but
fits right in on an 84 LTD (Orig 3.8 TB EFI).



I started eyeing up the older batteries I had lying around, that I use in my diesel and broncos.
These are group 65 and huge, but 850 amps. This is the max that will fit




and a Grp 65 fits like that batt tray was made for it.




And even 8 years old.



It load tests the same as a brand new 650 amp batt I was going to try and somehow make fit in the stock battery tray.

old Grp 65, right around 620 amps (you use half the CCA for a load test).



And brand new Grp 35, 650 amp, right around the same.




Grp 56 is 32 lbs



Grp 65, only 10 lbs more.



Grp 65 is defintely shorter than orig grp 56.



So does it fit, yup.




As mentioned, have to redo battery cables to get neg terminal up front. But for now,
it starts SO much quicker,


http://luxjo.supermotors.net/DADSLTD...613_201422.mp4
(might have to right click 3 dots and download, if it won't open right away)

I'm hoping it's going to fix a semi-hot start issue I've had for years.
(I go about as far as a local gas station, shut it off for 10 minutes, won't restart. Starts fully warm
or fully cold).

So if I do buy new Grp 65 batt, wally world has a 2 year 750 amp for $88, which will be 200 amps more than a stocker.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart..._LIA&gclsrc=ds

They also have the full 850 amps for $120

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart...=sem&gclsrc=ds

Also, found this size chart messing around trying to find a different batt that would fit stock tray.
Was pretty helpful with sizes

https://www.jegs.com/Sizecharts/bcigroup.html

[gr79]

Thanks for posting tray measurements and details!
Will change out battery tray to 87+. Go whole hog with new battery too.
Local NPD has trays. Geez 10.00 for round trip fuel. UPS 12.95

Exide is 7 years old now at 12.2v from 12.7v measured when new.
Same deal may not restart at store. Park at high spot in lot in case rolling clutch start is needed. Jumper box on board now.
Gave all connections a needed cleaning other day.

I use 96R group. Common, easy to find. Not as tall as the others at 6 7/8" smaller than 58 or 40R.
Going to dealer for Motorcraft Plus at 109.00 with core. Max is 20.00 more. 590 cca is fine.
Have used BXL 62, 58, 56, 36 groups. Old retired 65 from my Ranger too tight of a fit.

[OX1]

Thanks for posting tray measurements and details!
Will change out battery tray to 87+. Go whole hog with new battery too.
Exide 7 years now at 12.2v from 12.7v measured when new.
Same deal may not restart at store. Park at high spot in lot in case rolling clutch start is needed. Jumper box on board now.
Gave all connections a needed cleaning other day.
I use 96R group. Not as tall as the others at 6 7/8" smaller than 58, easy to find.

Local NPD has trays. Geez 10.00 for round trip fuel. UPS 12.95

So the 96R fits in the stock battery tray? I don't think I can fit the 87 up battery tray in my Capri
Too many things moved around with turbo kit (batt is also on pass side now, where EFI airbox was stock).
It has a newer Grp 56 that if fine so far, but it won't last forever.

[gr79]

I replaced the oe 79 tray with a used larger one. They get old and dirty on a daily, now weekly, driver.
Molded differently. Had to use wood under it on top of the frame rail. Otherwise ok.
Is on pass side, neg terminal is at front of car xxR.
About 11" for battery from rad support to regulator/solenoid area with working clearance.
The 96 is low far from hood for extra safety.

Read the 87 battery tray may need some minor trimming to fit.

[OX1]

I replaced the oe 79 tray with a used larger one. They get old and dirty on a daily, now weekly, driver.
Molded differently. Had to use wood under it on top of the frame rail. Otherwise ok.
Is on pass side, neg terminal is at front of car xxR.
About 11" for battery from rad support to regulator/solenoid area with working clearance.
The 96 is low far from hood for extra safety.

Read the 87 battery tray may need some minor trimming to fit.

Do you know what the battery tray you used, came out of?

I had to do zero trimming on 87+ tray.

[ZEN50]

No trimming required for me also (87 tray into 86).

[gr79]

Salvaged tray from a pic a part yard Dodge Caravan for a couple bucks
Picked that one only because was large, easy to get to and remove, plus was clean.
Most others needed a lot more work or were in crummy shape.
The NPD one will fit much better even if needing a mod.
The tall bottom molded support to sit on the frame rail is key.
The Dodge one is flat and needed some sort of support riser under it.

[OX1]

Salvaged tray from a pic a part yard Dodge Caravan for a couple bucks
Picked that one only because was large, easy to get to and remove, plus was clean.
Most others needed a lot more work or were in crummy shape.
The NPD one will fit much better even if needing a mod.
The tall bottom molded support to sit on the frame rail is key.
The Dodge one is flat and needed some sort of support riser under it.

Ok, thanks. I will have to hack up an 87+ tray when the Capri finally needs a batt then, and
find something smaller than a Grp 65 to fit.