rear battery relocation - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pyrotechnic · 02-01-2008, 09:31 AM

Is it worth doing ? It's a daily driven street truck, I'm just looking to improve traction. Will have a potent 350 or 383 in the future but it already has traction issues on launch as it is right now. I'm planning to add caltrac bars when money permits. Just wanted to know if doing this gives a marked improvement in traction or if i'm better off leaving it in front.

James McClure · 02-01-2008, 08:19 PM

Pyro: Moving the battery to the back won't do much if anything to help traction. You are going to need some serious weight over the rear axel. Actually, just behind the rear axel is better. If it's a daily driver and you don't want to be hauling extra weight around, build a framework (3/4" plywood bottom & 2X6 framing) behind the wheel wells and fill it with wheel weights or you could get a piece of 1/2 steel plate 4' wide & 8' long and lay it in there. OR, you could line it with rubber, fill it with hot soapy water & some lovely bathing beauties. Jokeing there, but that would be cool. jim

Mickey_D · 02-01-2008, 08:57 PM

Replace your gas tank with one out of a Blazer. In other words, move it behind the rear axle. A full 20 gallon tank is somewhere around 160 pounds. Make a hell of a lot more difference than a 30-40 pound battery.

454HO · 02-02-2008, 12:38 AM

I think it depends on how serious you are about drag racing - at the track. For a daily driver on the street, I would not bother. But if you are into bracket racing, it would be a good idea at some point to re-locate the battery. But be aware that NHRA requires a kill switch on the exterior of the vehicle if the battery is moved to the rear.

When you add up the costs for a battery box, all the cables, kill switch, etc, etc... you almost have enought to buy the CalTracs. That's a much better investment in my opinion.

SanitysBane · 02-02-2008, 11:02 AM

I moved the battery to the back and it really didn't help matters much at all. Go with the CalTracs instead, alot better way to spend the money.

Hazieview · 02-02-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey_D

Replace your gas tank with one out of a Blazer. In other words, move it behind the rear axle. A full 20 gallon tank is somewhere around 160 pounds. Make a hell of a lot more difference than a 30-40 pound battery.

I think this would be your best bet. I am going to put a blazer tank in my truck as soon as I find one. My truck is like driving a bar of soap when it rains. I need all the weight I can get in the back. It's not removing weight, just relocating it.

02-01-2008, 09:31 AM	#1
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	rear battery relocation Is it worth doing ? It's a daily driven street truck, I'm just looking to improve traction. Will have a potent 350 or 383 in the future but it already has traction issues on launch as it is right now. I'm planning to add caltrac bars when money permits. Just wanted to know if doing this gives a marked improvement in traction or if i'm better off leaving it in front.

02-01-2008, 08:19 PM	#2
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: rear battery relocation Pyro: Moving the battery to the back won't do much if anything to help traction. You are going to need some serious weight over the rear axel. Actually, just behind the rear axel is better. If it's a daily driver and you don't want to be hauling extra weight around, build a framework (3/4" plywood bottom & 2X6 framing) behind the wheel wells and fill it with wheel weights or you could get a piece of 1/2 steel plate 4' wide & 8' long and lay it in there. OR, you could line it with rubber, fill it with hot soapy water & some lovely bathing beauties. Jokeing there, but that would be cool. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

02-01-2008, 08:57 PM	#3
Mickey_D Dirteh Kitteh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mormon country Posts: 2,484	Re: rear battery relocation Replace your gas tank with one out of a Blazer. In other words, move it behind the rear axle. A full 20 gallon tank is somewhere around 160 pounds. Make a hell of a lot more difference than a 30-40 pound battery. __________________ Darrin 1955 Willys CJ-5 all original and the oldest CJ-5 on the road. 2001 Dodge Neon (wife's car) 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Edition SOLD 1981 K15 Custom Deluxe 4X4, rusty but trusty wood hauler. SOLD 1993 S-10 4X4 Tahoe SOLD Sign up with the Contact List RIP ESLL

02-02-2008, 12:38 AM	#4
454HO Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,223	Re: rear battery relocation I think it depends on how serious you are about drag racing - at the track. For a daily driver on the street, I would not bother. But if you are into bracket racing, it would be a good idea at some point to re-locate the battery. But be aware that NHRA requires a kill switch on the exterior of the vehicle if the battery is moved to the rear. When you add up the costs for a battery box, all the cables, kill switch, etc, etc... you almost have enought to buy the CalTracs. That's a much better investment in my opinion. __________________ - Greg

02-02-2008, 11:02 AM	#5
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: rear battery relocation I moved the battery to the back and it really didn't help matters much at all. Go with the CalTracs instead, alot better way to spend the money. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer



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