Restoring battery boxes the right way---with pics. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PICKMUP · 04-18-2004, 10:59 PM

I am restoring a couple auxillary battery boxes. These are done the right way. You can't just weld in the new tray. The preparation is extensive.
After I cut off the old rusted tray & grind the welds smooth, I blast the rust & corrosion to clean metal and bolt the sides to a truck/core support, so everything is straight!
Next the new tray is fitted and clamped. When it is welded, all welds are hidden under the tray, so it looks clean and original.

PICKMUP · 04-18-2004, 11:05 PM

The tray is spot welded to the sides on top, so it looks original, exactly like GM did it.
When the welding is done, all sharp edges are smoothed and it gets a final clean, complete blasting---again.

PICKMUP · 04-18-2004, 11:16 PM

After the welding is complete, all sharp edges are smoothed, and it gets a final, complete blasting---again...and then a high quality powder coat.
Here is the finished product. I sell them for $120...shipped. The quantity is very limited!

PICKMUP · 04-18-2004, 11:18 PM

another angle...I have two of these ready to power coat, so you can pick gloss or mat finish.

Castiron9 · 04-19-2004, 12:38 AM

Very nice job Frank.................

lukecp · 04-19-2004, 12:47 AM

Looks very nice. Much better than what i did to fix mine, which had split in half from rust. I welded up an angle iron tray and shoved it in the old battery tray....works but dosen't look very good

rn2fine · 04-19-2004, 12:53 AM

Nice work. And nice to see resto original parts like this available. I needed one about a year ago before I knew about this site. I bought a new one that looked good but was made of a thinner gauge steel, and it did not line up very well with my rad support. Thats probably why it only cost me $60. Have you seen those clothpaper like battery tray liners? I think that they are called battery mats. I put one in a year ago. In the long run do those things really work? Just wondering.

PICKMUP · 04-19-2004, 12:58 AM

Thanks for the good words. Notice this is the rarer "Auxillary" battery tray that you cannot buy new. That is the reason for all of the work and the higher cost. I sell a new standard box for $50...much less than the restored aux box.

Castiron9 (Rene): I will restore your aux box for $130! What do you mean, my parts cost more? If they were any cheaper, I would have to pay you to buy them.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-19-2004, 08:14 AM

Nice job Frank!

Jim

cdowns · 04-19-2004, 09:47 AM

looks good but i don't think you used enough clamps

Sweet72 · 04-19-2004, 10:00 AM

Real nice work PICKMUP! I brazed a new bottom in my "standard" box. Lining it up perfectly and clamping is the hard part. I POR-15'd it and within a yr. it started to rust again from acid spills. Think I'll try one of those Optima batteries everyone boasts about.

1970blazin · 04-19-2004, 11:31 AM

We bought one of these battery trays from Frank, and have been very happy with it!! Nice job Frank! My husband is a welder by trade and he STILL bought one of these from Frank- -- Thats got to say something!

Diane

Brewski* · 04-19-2004, 02:00 PM

That box is nicer than my old lady's. Just kidding~! I got my new box and aux box from Frank. They are way sweet and worth every penny~!!!!!!!

nu2-72 · 04-19-2004, 06:19 PM

Tell me about the aux box. Is it on the opposite side of the core support from the regular box. I have never seen one.
And the purpose is what? Snowplow, winch? I mean ,what factory use. Why did GM put these in?

Brewski* · 04-19-2004, 09:18 PM

The Aux. Battery box was an option commonly associated with the custom campers and camper specials. They ran stuff in the campers I guess. Anywho mine had one but it was not on the glovebox sheet. I am told it was part of the Custom Camper package on the glovebox sheet. I have only seen a few and I don't have a good pix of mine in my truck. I will take pix soon. I am setting mine up so that it is on a Warn isolator to run the winch that I am building behind my stock bumper. This is going to be so cool when it is done!!!!

Swbman · 04-19-2004, 10:42 PM

Nice work Frank, looks like you have some time invested in doing them the right way. way to go...

Longhorn Man · 04-19-2004, 11:47 PM

My first Longhorn had an original style one, and was not listed in the glove box, but I know it wasn't part of ANY option package.
I think the dealers were able to install it along with the relay to seperate the two. It was an interesting set up.
Got one in the one ton too, but I just wired up the two batterys together for more cranking amps.

04-18-2004, 10:59 PM	#1
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	Restoring battery boxes the right way---with pics. I am restoring a couple auxillary battery boxes. These are done the right way. You can't just weld in the new tray. The preparation is extensive. After I cut off the old rusted tray & grind the welds smooth, I blast the rust & corrosion to clean metal and bolt the sides to a truck/core support, so everything is straight! Next the new tray is fitted and clamped. When it is welded, all welds are hidden under the tray, so it looks clean and original. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

04-18-2004, 11:05 PM	#2
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	The tray is spot welded to the sides on top, so it looks original, exactly like GM did it. When the welding is done, all sharp edges are smoothed and it gets a final clean, complete blasting---again. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

04-18-2004, 11:16 PM	#3
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	After the welding is complete, all sharp edges are smoothed, and it gets a final, complete blasting---again...and then a high quality powder coat. Here is the finished product. I sell them for $120...shipped. The quantity is very limited! __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

04-18-2004, 11:18 PM	#4
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	another angle...I have two of these ready to power coat, so you can pick gloss or mat finish. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

04-19-2004, 12:38 AM	#5
Castiron9 72 LONGHORN OWNER Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Wash. Posts: 963	Very nice job Frank................. __________________ 72-SUPER CHEYENNE/20 LONGHORN 70-C/30 DUALLY

04-19-2004, 12:47 AM	#6
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Looks very nice. Much better than what i did to fix mine, which had split in half from rust. I welded up an angle iron tray and shoved it in the old battery tray....works but dosen't look very good __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

04-19-2004, 12:53 AM	#7
rn2fine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 157	Nice work. And nice to see resto original parts like this available. I needed one about a year ago before I knew about this site. I bought a new one that looked good but was made of a thinner gauge steel, and it did not line up very well with my rad support. Thats probably why it only cost me $60. Have you seen those clothpaper like battery tray liners? I think that they are called battery mats. I put one in a year ago. In the long run do those things really work? Just wondering. __________________ 72 C10 Burb 350 700R4 70 C20 LWB 350 Crate TH400 68 Chevelle

04-19-2004, 12:58 AM	#8
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	rn2fine Thanks for the good words. Notice this is the rarer "Auxillary" battery tray that you cannot buy new. That is the reason for all of the work and the higher cost. I sell a new standard box for $50...much less than the restored aux box. Castiron9 (Rene): I will restore your aux box for $130! What do you mean, my parts cost more? If they were any cheaper, I would have to pay you to buy them. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170 Last edited by PICKMUP; 04-19-2004 at 01:00 AM.

04-19-2004, 08:14 AM	#9
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Nice job Frank! Jim

04-19-2004, 09:47 AM	#10
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	looks good but i don't think you used enough clamps __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-19-2004, 10:00 AM	#11
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Real nice work PICKMUP! I brazed a new bottom in my "standard" box. Lining it up perfectly and clamping is the hard part. I POR-15'd it and within a yr. it started to rust again from acid spills. Think I'll try one of those Optima batteries everyone boasts about. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

04-19-2004, 11:31 AM	#12
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	We bought one of these battery trays from Frank, and have been very happy with it!! Nice job Frank! My husband is a welder by trade and he STILL bought one of these from Frank- -- Thats got to say something! Diane __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale

04-19-2004, 02:00 PM	#13
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	That box is nicer than my old lady's. Just kidding~! I got my new box and aux box from Frank. They are way sweet and worth every penny~!!!!!!!

04-19-2004, 06:19 PM	#14
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	Tell me about the aux box. Is it on the opposite side of the core support from the regular box. I have never seen one. And the purpose is what? Snowplow, winch? I mean ,what factory use. Why did GM put these in? __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

04-19-2004, 09:18 PM	#15
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	The Aux. Battery box was an option commonly associated with the custom campers and camper specials. They ran stuff in the campers I guess. Anywho mine had one but it was not on the glovebox sheet. I am told it was part of the Custom Camper package on the glovebox sheet. I have only seen a few and I don't have a good pix of mine in my truck. I will take pix soon. I am setting mine up so that it is on a Warn isolator to run the winch that I am building behind my stock bumper. This is going to be so cool when it is done!!!!



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04-19-2004, 10:42 PM	#16
Swbman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tulsa,Oklahoma Posts: 606	Nice work Frank, looks like you have some time invested in doing them the right way. way to go... __________________ 1961 BUICK LESABRE 1968 CHEVELLE SS 396 1969 BUICK RIVIERA GS 1971 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLAZER 1971 4X4 BLAZER 1971 SHORTBED CHEYENNE FLEETSIDE 1971 SHORTBED 4X4 FLEETSIDE ** ...My Ebay

04-19-2004, 11:47 PM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	My first Longhorn had an original style one, and was not listed in the glove box, but I know it wasn't part of ANY option package. I think the dealers were able to install it along with the relay to seperate the two. It was an interesting set up. Got one in the one ton too, but I just wired up the two batterys together for more cranking amps.

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