1954 Battery relocation options

[CoachH]

My daughter and I are getting ready to work on the inside of the cab on her '54 pickup. We are going to lay down some dynamat and put some carpet over it. Im curious as to what options there are for the battery access panel. I would love to hear what others have done in regards to relocating the battery or creative ways to access it when installing new carpet.

[joliver33]

You could do a drop down battery box in the stock location.

[Old Crow]

A previous owner of my wife's '54 Panel put a battery box on the firewall like a TF truck.
I'm not thrilled about the way it looks, but I've got bigger fish to fry on that truck at the moment.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by joliver33

You could do a drop down battery box in the stock location.

If you do make sure it clears the running board and drops all the way to the ground so you can remove the battery, or you will need to raise the truck to take the battery out

[mr48chev]

I've had the battery mounted on the firewall of my 48 before (when it was subframed) and it sucked big time. Along with being an ugly zit in there it blocked access to the right valve cover on the V8.

This go around I am thinking seriously about getting a battery like the Audi 5000 we had and I think my 2000 Cad Deville has and mounting it in the space behind the passenger seat in a box. I don't have a tank back there though and on that model of battery there is a built in vent tube that runs through the floor board to vent the battery.

Looking it up the Audi had a Group 48 battery that was basically 11 inches long 7 inches wide and 7-1/7 inches tall. The Cad takes a group 79 that is 12 inches long 7 inches wide and 7.3 inches tall and has side posts. Neither is cheap by any means but either should fit and have the poop to start most engines.

[47 Fasttoys]

On my '54 (sold a few years ago) I had it mounted behind the right front tire in the fender well. I also have it in the same place on my '46. Have never had an issue with it there, servicing it takes a little more work, but with a proper charging system that's once a year at most. I put over 100K on both trucks, still going on the '46. This picture is the mount on the '46.
Rob

[whitedog76]

I've always thought in the fender, behind rear tire would be a good spot. Plenty of room.

One of the the modern, gel cells would be ideal.

I do remember seeing another poster with the battery mounted on the outside of the frame, between the bed and running board. The splash apron was hinged for access.

[dwcsr]

There certainly are not a lot of option for the battery in an AD. You can make one of the side bed to running board panels removable a place it there or use a narrower battery and go behind the seat

[oldman3]

I used one of the drop down type (can't remember where I got it). It's attached close to the stock location. Pic 1 shows in the down position and pic2 in the up position...Jim

[Handfull 54]

I put the battery in the normal place. I had the upholstery guy put a stainless strip along the edge near the door. If you need to get to the battery unscrew the four screws lift up the carpet and there is the battery. I used dyna mat and just cut out the battery box cover so it comes off easy. Three years no problem.