OR VietVet Is Still Throwing $$$ at 2005 Z71

[OR VietVet]

I would put a quick disconnect on the positive wire connecting the 2 batteries. I get having the 2 batteries always connected will ensure that the second battery remains fully charged without any action on your part. But, having them both always connected won't alleviate that situation of the boy playing your truck's radio without the truck running and running both batteries down together, or inadvertently leaving some device on in the truck overnight and having it run both batteries down together.

Good call. Will do.

 

[OR VietVet]

If I'm not mistaken--isn't there a battery tray already there from the factory? Pretty sure there's one there. Take a look on the passenger side--under the fender brace.

This is what is there now. Does not look like a battery tray to me.

 

[OR VietVet]

If I get the Dorman tray at RA and with shipping and 5% off, is around $36.00. If I use my military discount at O'Reilly's, I can get it for $35.95

I did look and the 4 attaching bolts at the firewall are the same and the 1 attaching bolt at the other end would go under the ear of the coolant reservoir bottle. Then use a standard battery hold down and bolt.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

This is the quick disconnect electrical connector that I use. Don't be concerned about only 175 Amp rating, because it is a continuous rating, and these connector can easily handle 500 Amps on a few seconds basis to start the truck, when needed.

 

[OR VietVet]

This is the quick disconnect electrical connector that I use. Don't be concerned about only 175 Amp rating, because it is a continuous rating, and these connector can easily handle 500 Amps on a few seconds basis to start the truck, when needed.

View attachment 488168

Yes, I have used one of these before. I had an off road rig and had a female trailer hitch at both ends and could use my winch at either end and just plugged in the cable connection with this same set up.

 

[Tonyrodz]

This is what is there now. Does not look like a battery tray to me.

View attachment 488166View attachment 488167

Sorry I was mistaken. I thought it was a tray.

 

[OR VietVet]

Sorry I was mistaken. I thought it was a tray.

Maybe is different if was a pickup.

 

[OR VietVet]

So, today I removed the upper brace and the lower pan. I installed this battery pan and got the right battery hold down bolt for the extra hold down I had in my tool box. The best sizing, for the bolt, is a 2" long x M8 x 1.25. I did measure the height at the front, close to the coolant reservoir bottle, at the height to where the brace would bolt back in....6" at the most. The typical side terminal 12 volt battery would be 7.5" to 7.8" and clears fine at the back and will clear at the front but without the brace. Then just install the cables and a positive cable quick disconnect.

 

[West 1]

When I converted my 03 Yukon to dual batteries, maybe in 2014, I purchased the Factory Police Dual Battery positive wire set up. I wish I had done this another way. I had to wire it to the starter and route it from there. What a pain. At that time I did not know to go in through the tire well so I did it from below and wasted a few hours swapping the cables at the battery. I hope you have a better plan than I did. Looks lke you are almost there.

 

[OR VietVet]

When I converted my 03 Yukon to dual batteries, maybe in 2014, I purchased the Factory Police Dual Battery positive wire set up. I wish I had done this another way. I had to wire it to the starter and route it from there. What a pain. At that time I did not know to go in through the tire well so I did it from below and wasted a few hours swapping the cables at the battery. I hope you have a better plan than I did. Looks lke you are almost there.

I have done this before, I think I explained earlier, when I was four wheeling and had two batteries. I did not have the quick connect between the batteries on the positive cable. With a disconnect at the positive cable, between the two batteries, I can recharge the second battery when I want to. Theoretically, I can use 2 quick disconnects and start off of either battery. I don't run any special electrical loads on my system. No big screen in my dash and no special stereo system or video system. Stock factory radio and CD player.

I felt at the mercy of the 800 number call for help tow companies. Minimum tow home, 44 miles away, was $550. That is a freakin' rip off. The local tire shop brought me the new Interstate battery and charged me a $30 service call, 5 miles away, and with the 3% c/c fee, my total was $262.60.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I have done this before, I think I explained earlier, when I was four wheeling and had two batteries. I did not have the quick connect between the batteries on the positive cable. With a disconnect at the positive cable, between the two batteries, I can recharge the second battery when I want to. Theoretically, I can use 2 quick disconnects and start off of either battery. I don't run any special electrical loads on my system. No big screen in my dash and no special stereo system or video system. Stock factory radio and CD player.

I felt at the mercy of the 800 number call for help tow companies. Minimum tow home, 44 miles away, was $550. That is a freakin' rip off. The local tire shop brought me the new Interstate battery and charged me a $30 service call, 5 miles away, and with the 3% c/c fee, my total was $262.60.

You absolutely won't regret it.

I ran the 2 battery cables for the second battery along the top of the firewall, and I have the quick disconnect on the side of the second battery, about where the hood spring hinge is. Easy to get to.

I connected the negative cable to the engine block, right where the primary battery negative cable is connected. I connected the positive cable to the main fuse block on the firewall (before the fuse) where the primary battery cable is connected. I put a cable protector sleeve on the cables to the second battery, going across the firewall, and zip tied it in place.

 

[OR VietVet]

You absolutely won't regret it.

I ran the 2 battery cables for the second battery along the top of the firewall, and I have the quick disconnect on the side of the second battery, about where the hood spring hinge is. Easy to get to.

I connected the negative cable to the engine block, right where the primary battery negative cable is connected. I connected the positive cable to the main fuse block on the firewall (before the fuse) where the primary battery cable is connected. I put a cable protector sleeve on the cables to the second battery, going across the firewall, and zip tied it in place.

Pics?

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Pics?

The truck is at the shop right now, getting the transmission's hard downshift fixed. I'll send pics, when I get the truck back.

I do have this pic that only shows the protected cables going across the firewall.

 

[West 1]

Not Fair Joe, you have way too much engine under that hood!

 

[OR VietVet]

The truck is at the shop right now, getting the transmission's hard downshift fixed. I'll send pics, when I get the truck back.

I do have this pic that only shows the protected cables going across the firewall.

View attachment 488282

Yea, pics from one side to the other and at the p/s tray area, would help and of course the d/s battery area. Thanks.