Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Cant seem to find anyone having done this a standard cab truck. Looks to be just barely enough room to fit a optima group 78 battery in behind a bench seat. Steel battery hold down going long ways so it doesnt add extra width and cables exiting the floor. Seat back will probably rest agianst the side and corner of the top of the battery.

Has anyone done this? Would the seat back sitting against the battery cause problems?

Trying to get as many mechanicals topside while having the engine bay and bed clean.

thanks in advance

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

What about hiding it in one of the saddle tank spots? I wouldn't be comfortable with a battery right behind my a$$. Battery's need ventilation to some degree

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

I would do it.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Like willett mentioned, batteries need ventilation.
There is a reason for the "no smoking" symbol on them. I'd have to look up the particulars on "outgassing", but I believe when a battery is charging, hydrogen gas is released.

May just be if it's overcharged, but either way, think "Hindenburg".

I may be off, this was from my high school auto class and I'm now pushing close to 50.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Also if you ever happen to be in a roll over,there's a good chance of the battery leaking all over you.I drove a Western Star truck years ago that had the batteries under passenger seat,never liked the idea then & still don't.But hey, it's your truck!!

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

I put a drop down box in mine

http://73-87.com/my_truck/chassis_su...tery_box01.JPG

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Thanks for the replies ....

My thinking is I want as many mechanicals topside as possible so in case I have troubles and the truck is on the ground I'll have more access to components.

With the optima batteries being 'sealed' I'm not sure there's much cause for concern unless the battery case were to be broken on impact. Even though they're 'sealed' I've seen mention of needing vented for overcharging scenerios which looks to be a small hose and elbow that attaches to the side of the battery and goes out to a hole in the floor.

Seems like surely this would have been done before if it fits. I'm a bit worried I'll run out of room and the back of the bench seatback touching the battery will pose problems long term.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

place battery under truck - add heavy duty kill switch and remote battery jumper terminals. or could place under bed floor with a section that opens for access. if determined to have in cab run bucket seats with console - battery at rear of console, fully covered with vent tube to be on the safe side even with sealed battery.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

there under the back seat in newer lesabres lucernes and bonnevilles.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

You can install some remote leads to your battery like these I took off my Peterbilt. That way you can access it even when its on the ground.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

in a batt box idk if it would be a problem

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Regardless where the battery goes I'll be adding one of these, was wondering what folks are using. I initially spec'd out an Amr. Autowire 500712 good for 180 amps. I dont plan to do anything crazy with the stereo so seems like enough without actually having to do any maths.


I think I'll mock up the battery behind the seat with my current battery to see how close it all is. Really hoping to avoid having the battery under the bed.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Any reason in particular I should go to a 250 amp unit instead of the 180?

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

the 180 will be plenty but, the one that KQQL IT gave link to allows you easy access to operate. my wife has a Hot Rod '50 Chevy PU that has a drop down battery holder. so, installed a standard heavy duty kill switch and remote battery jumper terminals. it sits very low and I have to get down very low to be able to reach the kill switch. an extended handle would be nice. that said, when truck is not going to be used for a long time I turn the switch off and even after months the truck fires right up - no need for a trickle charge set up.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Not a C-10 but a 50 3100. My battery is mounted under the bed floor, with remote charging posts on the firewall where the original battery would have been mounted. I used HD stranded welding cable for battery cables. Welding cable (at least around here) can be found reasonably priced at swap meets/yard sales.

My C-10 battery is in the stock location, but again, I still use welding cable for the main ground and hot lead to the starter. Starters like getting good solid amperage, makes them last longer.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Some of the older cars (like the 30's) had battery under the floor board under your left foot. Had a 31 Ford two door that had the battery there. Floors were wood back then. MY Grandfather bought the car new in 31 and my Dad left it to me and I gave it to my Grandson. It was a Ford but a really nice car. Been completely restored. Fun to drive.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

I'm sure the 31 Ford didn't have a sealed cab so the hydrogen from the battery could build up in it.
Sure it's unlikely, but there are reasons car parts are where and what they they are. The Hindenburg. The Pinto. Tempered glass, whatever windshield glass is. No seat belts.

Early cars used window glass. Do some research on beheadings due to people going through the windshield in an accident.

Think before undoing what 100 years of experience taught the auto industry...

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

beetles have it under the back seat. have some on sitting over it, hit some bumbs and burn the seat

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

The battery is in the cabin of my Vette and it has a vent tube. Even with the "sealed" batteries it was highly suggested I still use the vent tube.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Agree

seventy eight gazillion Volkswagens drove 181.3 metric kabillion miles with the battery under the seat. Not vented through the floor, not contained in a box. And they weren't even sealed batteries like the Optima that the OP is gonna run.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

True on the VW, though on some cold mornings, the burning seat was the only heat. :lol:

The OP can do/try whatever he likes, I only stated my opinion.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

No offense intended toward you. I had hoped with all of us giving the full spectrum of opinions, the original poster would have plenty of material to mull over and form his final decision either way.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

We had a 2007 GMC Acadia, The battery was under the bach seat floor on the right side, it had a tube running off it for ventilation.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

just my opinion, but I wouldn't do it.....ever see a battery blow up?

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Don't do it, if anything move it over the rear axle. It can be done but I feel it's not that beneficial

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Thanks for the replies, after some mock up Ive determined its too close of a fit with the seat. Good to know this thread may serve as a reference for someone else along the way.

Will probably wind up with it on the frame rail where the saddle tanks were in a drop down box, remote jumpers and a cutoff switch. Thanks again.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

I don't get it... Why do you need to relocate your battery?

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

it's in the bed and I want the bed clean

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

i had a '89 Audi with the battery under the bench in the back seat. No ventilation at all, and no problem, other than being a pain in the butt to access, and try and give/get a jump. Must be a German thing. I think with today's batteries you would be fine.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

thats the way gm does last year bonnevilles and lesabres. better than the plymouth breeze it was in the wheel well under a access panel. had to take the wheel off to get to the battery once when it died.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Sometimes when alt. Begin to fail they overcharge add an ignition source to a non ventilated battery and Fire bomb

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

well thats gonna suck no matter where it is.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

i wanted to relocate my battery the the stepside fender behind the wheel. have it accessible from inside the bed. never got around to it. moving 40 pounds from in front of the front wheels to behind the rear wheels can make a difference.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

you can buy lithium ion car batts now too. not cheap but no weight no saftey concerns.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

never seen what a battery can do when it explodes but it just sounds reeeeeeeealy awful.

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Why is it in the bed though why did you want to relocate it in the first place?

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

bagged:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/1...6b072c10_b.jpg

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

sweet truck bro....you ever thought of doing a raised bed floor and hiding all that crap under it?....you could switch to a blazer tank, and the bed floor could go right on top of your notch, make it lift up so you can still have access to the crap underneath... idk, just something I wish I did....

Re: Battery Behind Bench Seat?
 

Thanks, I have thought of that but I still want to be able to toss stuff in the bed so planning to fab up a removable cover for the notch and fender areas and have an access hole cut for topside access to the battery which I'll mount tot he frame in a drop down box. Currently thinking of holding the access door to the bed with magnets but would love to find a locking solution that can be used with the bed material so it blends in more. So easy to go backwards if I'm not careful.

Thanks for the other replies too, my first car was a 68' beetle so I've contributed to some of those kajillion miles :)