Battery Tray - Aftermarket Fitment Issue

[Killer Bee]

howdy all, not a big thread starter but thought I'd share this little issue I ran into today..

replacing the battery tray in the red 71 longhorn while the inner fender is out from the heater core replacement..

this is the Classic Industries p/n CX1398 [part was tagged ESM-0651] for 67-72 w/o air, standard location..

I loosened the radiator mounting and tilted it back a little not to harm anything but leave enough room to access bolts..

if you're not the careful type, better to remove it so not to bend any fins over.. this four core looks original and pristine so I was careful..

removed the old tray easy enough, came apart in two pieces

placed the new one in there, lined up the top holes and found the inboard lower screw wouldn't grab??

hmm, so crawled underneath to discover the rolled edge of the new tray occluded the mounting surface area so much that it couldn't lay flat..

I can't swear the one that came out was absolutely the original, but sure looked it..

also can't swear there isn't a spacer or something supposed to be in there, but nothing came out with the old one..

I didn't really have time to diddle with it, this was a 'while I'm already there' job anyways, so I cut it down with a 24 grit roloc

fits like a glove, all three holes on inboard edge laid down flat, no stress risers in the bracket, both outboard holes lined up nicely..

I left the raw edge, if you could see what's below there you'd know why

of course a clean job would be to finish the edge with soft paper, prime and paint..

hope this helps, cheers!

rolled edge of aftermarket tray bracket not permitting mounting surface to reach..


that misalignment held the opposite side lower hole off as well..


aftermarket rolled edge not offset close enough to factory to fit without modification..


I cut enough to clear all the way around to eliminate riding or rubbing on core support..


we have clearance clarence

looks like a slight indention where the original may have had a little too much offset as well

[bigmac73]

Pics??

[1971Stepside]

Mine was the same way...always something.

[71gmcC15]

I got one from ebay and did not have to "adjust " it in any way. Just bolted right in. Goes to show you that it down realy matter whare you get parts. They all sell the same Chinese junck. Just differnt prices.

[Killer Bee]

pics may take a second or three to load but should be there, still showing up here and phone..

the tray assembly is remarkably similar to the original design wise, just not executed the same fitment wise..

I see they sell the tray itself but the original and this one are spot welded together..

so welding required or modification with fasteners of some type to install that one??

this one had a taiwan sticker on it but something so common is probably made in every province of china

my bad for not researching, didn't think something so simple would need fitting, not like it's an operating part like a door or something

anyways, classic industries is on the way to my dentist and I needed some other stuff while I was there..

during the week short line and saved on shipping.. but saturday I stopped in to pick up some parts and whoah!

lobby was packed! guy pulled into parking lot right as we did and ended up walking out after seeing crowd..

I talked to him for a second, he has a '65 like I do and turned out is also a forum member

anyways, he had to go but we waited it out, 30 minutes to get to the counter even with phone order, and another hour to get parts pulled!

I was literally attended to by someone for combined less than 5 minutes.. but lots of others were chatting at the counter

so maybe free shipping deals for better parts may be in my future, that is if better parts can be found and verified

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

anyways, classic industries is on the way to my dentist and I needed some other stuff while I was there..

during the week short line and saved on shipping.. but saturday I stopped in to pick up some parts and whoah!

...

so maybe free shipping deals for better parts may be in my future

I've had same experience at Summit Racing about an hour drive from me...when I need it NOW!

Nice to have but man it can be a real pain.

-klb

[Andy4639]

I just installed a aftermarket battery tray without issues at all. It fit as good as the old one did.

[HO455]

I'm linking this thread to the aftermarket sheet metal thread.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...85#post8681585

[Andy4639]

Here are a couple of pictures of mine. It fit good as far as I can tell. The inner fender also fit good. I bought them together. I bought the AC one so when I add the AC later I'll have the clamp for the hoses.