2010,2011,2012 4runner Dual Battery (Tray$25, no Power Steering Reservoir relocation)

[johnnywofee]

2010, 2011, 2012 4runner Dual Battery (Tray$25, no Power Steering Reservoir relocation, no drill)

Dear 4runner owners (2010, 2011 and 2012),

I took a research in the forum and found that there are some modifications for dual battery. Those tech/professional guys choose the ARB or tailor made a battery tray, relocate Power Steering for the project. It would be a little bit costly or may void warranty of your 4runner, not too many people capable to do.

I would like to bring up this project to those people who want to add the 2nd battery but you are not an expert in auto or mechanical stuffs. Please share your thoughts so that we can go through this project together.

Here are the objectives for our group discussion (if you want to join up for this project) :

Requirement:
1. Add 2nd battery (exactly fit into your 4runner under the hood), sufficient to supply power for normal duty use (e.g. light bar, sound, mobile device charger, jump start for emergency….)

2. No modification or drill under the hood (e.g. you do not want to relocate or modify the Power Steering Reservoir…, except run power cable through the firewall).

3. Minimum cost (battery tray, battery, battery isolator, power cable, fuse….)

4. No fancy operation required inside your car compartment (battery monitor, manual switch…), no drilling in your dash.

5. Simple cable connections of the battery isolator, simple operation for jump start.

6. Assume you are not an auto expert or mechanic tech guys (same as me). You do not have too much knowledge how to choose a battery tray, battery isolator… You may not even know too much how to use a screw driver properly.

Steps:

1. To start with, I target the battery Odyssey PC1200 ($220) which is also used in other threads of dual battery system of 4runner. It is small size and provide medium power, should be sufficient for most of the applications.

2. With minimum cost investment and lowest risk to verify if this is feasible, I have to find a battery tray to see if it can fit into the 4runner. I found a battery tray ($23) in Ebay which can fit EXACTLY under the hood. Yes, $23 only ! The supplier can modify the tray (make it compact, the lid bends upright, see photos below) without ADDITIONAL cost. This tray is thin (width X length X height) enough to fit into the slot ! No need to spend hundred dollars for the ARB battery tray !

3. Your initial investment is only $23 to see if it works before you proceed to buy those expensive items e.g. battery, isolator….

4. The challenge would be how to drill 3 holes on the base of this battery tray so that it can exactly mount on the empty slot. Stop here and think about it before go further.


Targeted Major Material:
Battery : Odyssey PC1200, $220
Odyssey PC1200MJT Automotive and LTV Battery : Amazon.com : Automotive

Battery Tray: Ebay, $23
PC1200 Odyssey Battery Box Hold Down Tray Mount Steel Construction | eBay

Battery Isolator : Battery Doctor 150 Amp, $82
WirthCo 20092 Battery Doctor 125 Amp/150 Amp Battery Isolator : Amazon.com : Automotive

 

[Titanpat57]

You created a very helpful solution to those that may not be able to do the harder install...thank you for taking the time to help out forum members and document this..:cheers:

 

[mace.]

2010,2011,2012 4runner Dual Battery (Tray$25, no Power Steering Reservoir rel...

You could make a paper template to determine where to drill the holes on the battery tray

 

[johnnywofee]

Dual Battery 2010, 2011, 2012 4runner

Thank you guys for your response and advice.

I have searched all dual battery project, however, they are all quite difficult for a non-technical person to finish the task easily.

I would like to capture this project with detail steps all the way from selection of material, workmanship, challenges so that thousands of 4runner owner can enjoy with minimum cost investment.

Please join this thread if there is anyone would like to join up this project together to share your experience.

Thanks

 

[johnnywofee]

5th gen 4runner (2010, 2011, 2012) Dual Battery

Hello,

This is to give update. A circuit / wiring diagram is attached for reference. It looks that this configuration is quite simple and easy to understand without connecting to your engine (start power wire). In addition, there is no modification to your 4runner alternator as well.

Hope to see some feedback about the choice of material and diagram proposed.

 

[Bootleg]

I'm very interested to see how this turns out. Kudos for giving this a try!

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Sigh... wish it was possible for a '13... :/

 

[Narkhelek]

Sigh... wish it was possible for a '13... :/

I believe you should still have plenty of room to mount a secondary battery next to the air intake on the firewall side.

 

[Narkhelek]

Since I already have a power distribution setup running off my large Diehard Platinum Group 31 main battery my plan is to just use a smaller auxiliary battery as a backup starting battery in the event that I kill the main battery. That way I don't have to redo my existing power distribution setup and I can use the existing location as documented above without having to relocate anything. I plan on going with the National Luna dual battery setup.

My current setup: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/118502-narks-tinkerings-build-thread.html#post1103424

 

[montana]

Tagged for later

 

[johnnywofee]

2010,2011,2012 4Runner Dual Battery

Since I already have a power distribution setup running off my large Diehard Platinum Group 31 main battery my plan is to just use a smaller auxiliary battery as a backup starting battery in the event that I kill the main battery. That way I don't have to redo my existing power distribution setup and I can use the existing location as documented above without having to relocate anything. I plan on going with the National Luna dual battery setup.

My current setup: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/118502-narks-tinkerings-build-thread.html#post1103424

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great to hear that you also have intention to do the similar setup. Sorry I am not a tech guy.

My original (master) manufacturer battery is a Panasonic battery, will be it compatible with Battery Doctor Isolator 150Amp as well as the Odyssey PC1200 battery?

 

[johnnywofee]

Tagged for later

Would you consider to start with a minimum investment to purchase the battery tray ($23) to see if this really fits into the empty slot? If yes, please be reminded to ask the supplier to do the tray modification that I asked. There is no additional charge for it.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

I believe you should still have plenty of room to mount a secondary battery next to the air intake on the firewall side.

There is indeed enough space for a dual batt there, but not when I put my compressor there as well.

 

[Narkhelek]

Would you consider to start with a minimum investment to purchase the battery tray ($23) to see if this really fits into the empty slot? If yes, please be reminded to ask the supplier to do the tray modification that I asked. There is no additional charge for it.

What modifications was it you had them make to the tray?

On a side note you'll need to put some paint on that tray since it's bare steel or it will rust.

 

[Sundog7121]

Sigh... wish it was possible for a '13... :/

Could we move the gizmo that's in the way? Looks like it could move aft the air intake with a longer hose. Comments?

 

[johnnywofee]

What modifications was it you had them make to the tray?

On a side note you'll need to put some paint on that tray since it's bare steel or it will rust.

I have the contact name and Email address of the battery tray supplier. If you need his Email, I can send it to you. He is a nice guy and willing to modify the tray without additional charges.

I attached the photos of the modification requirement that I sent it to him. He really did a good work and ship the modified tray to me.

Please feel let me know.

** Yes, need to paint the tray. I don't know what kind of paint to use as well **

.

 

[Narkhelek]

Could we move the gizmo that's in the way? Looks like it could move aft the air intake with a longer hose. Comments?

It is definitely movable. This other tray from Sidewinder in Australia includes brackets to relocate the power steering reservoir: Prado LC150 2010. However, I think the point of this thread was to be able to put in a battery with minimum work. It wouldn't be too hard to modify a battery tray with a bracket to move the reservoir if needed. For my needs I don't require a large battery in this location.

 

[Narkhelek]

** Yes, need to paint the tray. I don't know what kind of paint to use as well **

.

The easiest thing would be to spray it with some Rustoleum etching primer (since it's new non-rusty steel) and then with what ever color of Rustoleum paint you want. You could also use the spray on bed liner stuff if you prefer.

 

[Narkhelek]

That tray doesn't appear to have any way to tension the battery down like your typical battery tray does. I wonder if the battery would end up rattling around much if it's not tensioned down to keep it from moving.

 

[mace.]

That tray doesn't appear to have any way to tension the battery down like your typical battery tray does. I wonder if the battery would end up rattling around much if it's not tensioned down to keep it from moving.

I was thinking the same thing