2nd Battery Tray? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rat72 · 11-04-2006, 02:38 AM

Does anyone make a passenger side battery tray for our trucks? An original one would be nice.

Thanks,
Whit

Americanrider · 11-04-2006, 04:17 AM

It's called an Auxillary Battery tray, they where factory options found mostly on Camper Special trucks for running dual batteries. They bolt right up to the core support but require moving the Voltage reg and maybe the horn(s). You can find them on the parts board or flea-bay. Nice ones can go as high as $100 and rusty ones $40 & up. I have a couple of them laying around here somewhere. If you want to run dual batteries you will also need a Isolator to wire in. Painless makes a nice one.

Longhorn Man · 11-04-2006, 05:50 AM

isolators aren't needed. I've worked on trucks and hvy equp al my adult live, and they all had multiple batteis with no isolator.

Americanrider · 11-04-2006, 12:17 PM

Not needed if your smart enough to wire your truck in parallel or series without "smoke-testing" something vital. I'm not that smart.... yet lol

caseychoptop · 11-04-2006, 12:34 PM

was thinking of putting second battery on my 69 stepside, it has a 400ci 6.6litre and i fel i need i bit more cranking power, any pics on how to wire two together to get more cranking power, just put a new battery in which was the biggest i could find, it has 640amps cranking but seems to struggle still, any ideas gratefully received

soulman67 · 11-04-2006, 12:54 PM

Ground each battery to the engine or the body, run one postive lead to the other and your done. I ran dual batteries in a 67 I used to have with a 427 big block it started easy even hot. I just copied the was my chevy diesel is wired up. Which doubled the amps not the volts.

I built my own second battery tray out of sheet metal and tack welded it place. Left the voltage regulator and horns in the same place. I wish I had pics but I lost them with my old computer.

**PICKMUP** · 11-04-2006, 11:02 PM

There were a couple nice ones, freshly painted, on the (old) parts board.
I also have one that is really nice and I just had it blasted & powder coated. It sells for $125 shipped.
They look like this.

Rat72 · 11-05-2006, 12:00 AM

That's a nice looking tray. On the passenger side tray, one of the sides rails runs up to the top of the grill, is it a different setup on the auxilary trays?

Are there any rust pit marks or is it smooth?

Thanks,
Whit

Bob Moore · 11-05-2006, 12:35 AM

They are only slightly different in design. The 2 upright pieces are heavier gauge than the standard P/S tray. The tray itself is the same thickness and design as the standard. It does not bolt to the inner fender like the standard P/S does.

**PICKMUP** · 11-06-2006, 03:48 PM

The tray bottom inside, under the battery, has some little pits that do not show at all when the battery is installed...and of course the whole assembly is blasted to bare metal and sealed with baked on power coat.

shifty · 11-06-2006, 04:04 PM

Hmmm, this is giving me some ideas. I was seriously thinking about moving my battery to the drivers side recently...sucks I just refurbed a passenger side tray but ... going to keep this one in mind...

Longhorn Man · 11-06-2006, 04:19 PM

Shifty, why would you want to do that?

shifty · 11-06-2006, 04:48 PM

Because I have an LS1 in my truck?

Longhorn Man · 11-06-2006, 05:20 PM

well... that makes perfect sence then.

I forgot all about that. I'll assume your starter is on the other side now then.

shifty · 11-06-2006, 05:36 PM

Nope. Starter is on the passenger side. I have a bundle of the wires going down the pass. side of the engine, and two wires going to the driver side of the engine. The ones down the passenger side are too short, and after some though, I figured...what the heck? I'll just run new lines for the passenger side and re-use the ones for the driver's side (ground and alt?) - this way I don't need to re-run both of them. I figured I have absolutely nothing on the driver side right now (everything is gone except the horn), so why not stuff the battery in that side, then fill the passenger side with A/C stuff, the air filter, the PCM and any other assorted crap? Just seems like it would fill the engine bay better that way.

It was just a fleeting thought. I might not go through with it. We will see

Longhorn Man · 11-06-2006, 06:42 PM

Sounds like a plan actually. I normally recomend the Aux battery tray when some one asks about installing a pontiac engine, or any other motor with the starter on the wrong side.

69TowRig · 11-06-2006, 07:25 PM

I just picked up one of those Aux trays, have yet to clean it up and install it but I'm thinking that the ole' girl will crank a little stronger once I get it all set up.

jacobs · 11-06-2006, 08:15 PM

I've used dual batteries for the last 33 years and have found my batteries last a lot longer than when using a single battery. They usually last about 10 years but that's because two weak batteries are as strong as one new battery.

11-04-2006, 02:38 AM	#1
Rat72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 135	2nd Battery Tray? Does anyone make a passenger side battery tray for our trucks? An original one would be nice. Thanks, Whit

11-04-2006, 04:17 AM	#2
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? It's called an Auxillary Battery tray, they where factory options found mostly on Camper Special trucks for running dual batteries. They bolt right up to the core support but require moving the Voltage reg and maybe the horn(s). You can find them on the parts board or flea-bay. Nice ones can go as high as $100 and rusty ones $40 & up. I have a couple of them laying around here somewhere. If you want to run dual batteries you will also need a Isolator to wire in. Painless makes a nice one.

11-04-2006, 05:50 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? isolators aren't needed. I've worked on trucks and hvy equp al my adult live, and they all had multiple batteis with no isolator.

11-04-2006, 12:17 PM	#4
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? Not needed if your smart enough to wire your truck in parallel or series without "smoke-testing" something vital. I'm not that smart.... yet lol

11-04-2006, 12:34 PM	#5
caseychoptop Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: paignton united kingdom Posts: 50	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? was thinking of putting second battery on my 69 stepside, it has a 400ci 6.6litre and i fel i need i bit more cranking power, any pics on how to wire two together to get more cranking power, just put a new battery in which was the biggest i could find, it has 640amps cranking but seems to struggle still, any ideas gratefully received

11-04-2006, 12:54 PM	#6
soulman67 Randy churchill Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pearsall, Tx Posts: 356	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? Ground each battery to the engine or the body, run one postive lead to the other and your done. I ran dual batteries in a 67 I used to have with a 427 big block it started easy even hot. I just copied the was my chevy diesel is wired up. Which doubled the amps not the volts. I built my own second battery tray out of sheet metal and tack welded it place. Left the voltage regulator and horns in the same place. I wish I had pics but I lost them with my old computer. __________________ 1983 GMC K2500 6.2 diesel 4" lift on 35x12.50 tires 2008 GMC 2500HD 6.6 diesel 3" lift on 315 75 16X10 2003 Jeep Rubicon 4.5" short arm lift 1985 Jeep CJ7 30k in parts and still adding up

11-04-2006, 11:02 PM	#7
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,134	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? There were a couple nice ones, freshly painted, on the (old) parts board. I also have one that is really nice and I just had it blasted & powder coated. It sells for $125 shipped. They look like this. Attached Images

11-05-2006, 12:00 AM	#8
Rat72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 135	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? That's a nice looking tray. On the passenger side tray, one of the sides rails runs up to the top of the grill, is it a different setup on the auxilary trays? Are there any rust pit marks or is it smooth? Thanks, Whit

11-05-2006, 12:35 AM	#9
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? They are only slightly different in design. The 2 upright pieces are heavier gauge than the standard P/S tray. The tray itself is the same thickness and design as the standard. It does not bolt to the inner fender like the standard P/S does. __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

11-06-2006, 03:48 PM	#10
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,134	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? The tray bottom inside, under the battery, has some little pits that do not show at all when the battery is installed...and of course the whole assembly is blasted to bare metal and sealed with baked on power coat.

11-06-2006, 04:04 PM	#11
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? Hmmm, this is giving me some ideas. I was seriously thinking about moving my battery to the drivers side recently...sucks I just refurbed a passenger side tray but ... going to keep this one in mind... __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

11-06-2006, 04:19 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? Shifty, why would you want to do that?

11-06-2006, 04:48 PM	#13
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? Because I have an LS1 in my truck? __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

11-06-2006, 05:20 PM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? well... that makes perfect sence then. I forgot all about that. I'll assume your starter is on the other side now then.

11-06-2006, 05:36 PM	#15
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? Nope. Starter is on the passenger side. I have a bundle of the wires going down the pass. side of the engine, and two wires going to the driver side of the engine. The ones down the passenger side are too short, and after some though, I figured...what the heck? I'll just run new lines for the passenger side and re-use the ones for the driver's side (ground and alt?) - this way I don't need to re-run both of them. I figured I have absolutely nothing on the driver side right now (everything is gone except the horn), so why not stuff the battery in that side, then fill the passenger side with A/C stuff, the air filter, the PCM and any other assorted crap? Just seems like it would fill the engine bay better that way. It was just a fleeting thought. I might not go through with it. We will see __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.



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11-06-2006, 06:42 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? Sounds like a plan actually. I normally recomend the Aux battery tray when some one asks about installing a pontiac engine, or any other motor with the starter on the wrong side.

11-06-2006, 07:25 PM	#17
69TowRig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 894	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? I just picked up one of those Aux trays, have yet to clean it up and install it but I'm thinking that the ole' girl will crank a little stronger once I get it all set up. __________________ -Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals...

11-06-2006, 08:15 PM	#18
jacobs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 9000' Mountain Man Posts: 326	Re: 2nd Battery Tray? I've used dual batteries for the last 33 years and have found my batteries last a lot longer than when using a single battery. They usually last about 10 years but that's because two weak batteries are as strong as one new battery.

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