Author Topic: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod  (Read 1249 times)

stros

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1914
Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« on: August 25, 2021, 08:58:02 PM »
My battery has never really fit the battery tray retainer very well (it’s a 34/78).  Just replaced my 8 year old 34/78 Optima for an Odyssey battery today and I’m noticing the fitment issues again. 

Has anyone found an adjustable tray retainer that also can hook on to the front bracket?  I’ve found adjustable ones but none with that hook.

Happy to hear other creative ideas that folks have to hold their modern batteries in place.

« Last Edit: August 25, 2021, 08:59:42 PM by stros »
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

stros

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1914
Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2021, 11:22:35 PM »
Thanks!  Right now the bar is pretty flat on top of the battery.  It’s got a rubber mat, an acid mat and a battery spacer that came with the battery already lifting it up about an inch.  It doesn’t feel like it’s going to move at all though.  I was thinking about cutting and rewording the retainer bar but I’m not sure that’ll hold the battery down any better.

Here are some pics:  The rear horizontal portion of the retainer is about a quarter inch from the battery.

Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

Meshuga T/A

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 92
Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2021, 07:36:06 AM »
Why would you want an optima? Not factory, I bought a interstate battery and put a Freedom Topper Ames sells on it.   
A wrong battery is as bad as a painted booster. 
I see they sell the UA1 option battery now
« Last Edit: August 26, 2021, 07:42:25 AM by Meshuga T/A »
Stay Shalomy

Let’s go Brandon

stros

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1914
Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2021, 08:39:39 AM »
Why would you want an optima? Not factory, I bought a interstate battery and put a Freedom Topper Ames sells on it.   
A wrong battery is as bad as a painted booster. 
I see they sell the UA1 option battery now

It’s actually an Odyssey battery.  I like it as it’s US made, doesn’t leak, better specs, and the color isn’t that important to me as my battery is covered by close out panels.  I also needed the side posts for my setup. 

AGM batteries are supposed to last longer (as mentioned above my prior Optima lasted 8 years.  Just went away from Optima this time as I’ve heard of more quality issues as they recently moved their manufacturing out of the US.  Not sure if that’s true or not though.

« Last Edit: August 26, 2021, 08:44:37 AM by stros »
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1345
Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2021, 11:04:31 AM »
Oh Boy!  Meshuga T/A is gonna have a fit over that engine bay cover.  He may have a meltdown if you guys
keep posting non OEM stuff.  :o)

Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2021, 11:04:31 AM »

stros

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1914
Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2021, 12:28:51 PM »
LOL, agreed, not sure if making the battery look stock is going to make much of a difference at this point.

That being said I found a topper for the Odyssey battery if I really want to spend some extra $s.

Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

stros

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1914
Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2021, 05:50:32 PM »
All fixed! Bracket now fits haha.

You’re right, this topper may fix the bracket issue.  I think I may buy it after all.  It’s about $20.
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

stros

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1914
Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2021, 09:02:58 PM »
Well, the topper perfectly resolved the gap issue with the rod.  Almost didn’t want to put the close out panels back on after :D

So in summary the Odyssey battery spacer and the tar topper got the battery back up to original specs.
There were a few cap colors available on the tar topper.  Decided to go with red given my red firebird emblems on the exterior.  I believe yellow is closer to stock but I just didn’t like it for my engine bay.  Even with the red caps I don’t think the battery is as noticeable now.


« Last Edit: September 01, 2021, 09:07:18 PM by stros »
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

Re: Adjustable battery tray retainer/rod
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2021, 09:02:58 PM »
You can help support TAC!