Question about modifying an Odyssey battery hold down kit

[SURF RUNNER]

So I am getting a hold down kit for my Odyssey battery this Christmas. It is a high quality aluminum kit manufactured specifically for this series of Odyssey battery. I love my Odyssey battery and plan to get another one whenever this one stops working (Odyssey batteries have a reputation of lasting 8-12 years... in less than 6 years I'll be able to report on if it lasted 8). When I installed my battery in September of 2016 I didn't have the hold down kit, but I did have the recommended spacer (purchased separately from Odyssey) that you can see in one of the photos. As you can see the Odyssey battery is 1" shorter than the OEM replacement battery. I made the OEM holder work with some cardboard, but I hate how that looks and even though it is secure the battery probably moves around a little.

Anyway, my question is about adding a spacer to this battery hold down kit. The kit will not fit over the spacer, just the battery. I can add about an inch of aluminum to the top of the side plates to accommodate the plastic spacer (similar to the shape of a stick of butter with two holes drilled), try to install the plastic spacer or some type of aluminum spacer underneath the hold down kit, or I can try to make it work without a spacer. Maybe the Odyssey battery hold down kit makes the shorter battery height a non-issue. Any thoughts, ideas or recommendations?

 

[pluton]

The first photo shows the new batt hold down working fine w/o the plastic spacer. If the new battery hold down doesn't need the bottom spacer, what is the question?
Are you still planning to use the stock battery hold down to hold down the new custom battery hold down?
??
I accommodated the same PC 1500 34R battery similar to the way you did, except instead of cardboard, I added aluminum angle to the stock hold down cradle ears. Glued with epoxy. Dead solid. Still fine, going on 6 years.

 

[SURF RUNNER]

As we both mentioned, perhaps the Odyssey hold down kit makes the shorter battery height a non issue. Is the only reason Odyssey sells the 1” spacer to utilize battery holders intended for a taller OEM battery? If that is the only reason then a spacer is probably not needed. I’ll have to see how everything looks and fits after installation. I’m also not sure how easy it is going to be to attach the bottom plate to the surface where the plastic OEM battery tray normally rests.

 

[phattyduck]

The hold down kit you showed there will completely replace the stock hold down. Just bolt it down to the battery tray.

-Charlie

 

[weekendclimber]

This is how I secured my aftermarket battery tray. There are bolt holes just underneath the battery tray where there is a relay secured. You can fashion a bracket to bolt in there and then secure your tray to that.

 

[pluton]

As we both mentioned, perhaps the Odyssey hold down kit makes the shorter battery height a non issue. Is the only reason Odyssey sells the 1” spacer to utilize battery holders intended for a taller OEM battery? If that is the only reason then a spacer is probably not needed. I’ll have to see how everything looks and fits after installation. I’m also not sure how easy it is going to be to attach the bottom plate to the surface where the plastic OEM battery tray normally rests.

Yes, from the photo you provided, the Odyssey 'cage' does not require any additional spacers.
You'll have to improvise a way to attach the cage to the vehicle.
FWIW, here's my adaptation of the stock hold down:

 

[gamefreakgc]

Yes, from the photo you provided, the Odyssey 'cage' does not require any additional spacers.
You'll have to improvise a way to attach the cage to the vehicle.
FWIW, here's my adaptation of the stock hold down:

This. No need for a fancy battery holder or spacer. Just make sure the battery is tall enough to contact both sides of the stock tie down and crank it tight.

 

[theesotericone]

This. No need for a fancy battery holder.

Unless you actually wheel your rig. The stock hold down is a joke. It let's the battery slide around a lot. Since putting in my Ballistic Fab battery box I never have to worry about my battery going flying into my fan shroud. lol

 

[gamefreakgc]

Unless you actually wheel your rig. The stock hold down is a joke. It let's the battery slide around a lot. Since putting in my Ballistic Fab battery box I never have to worry about my battery going flying into my fan shroud. lol

My alternator is so big it can't go anywhere lol. I've been wheeling enough, although not on the Rubicon or anything nuts, and I've never had my battery move. I have a Optima red top and it's not the same size as the stock battery size either.

 

[Link12]

I'm at 9 years on my Odyssey in my 08 5.7 Tundra 84k now. Had one in my 96 4Runner but have since pulled it for my Buggy. The AGM Bosch I replaced it with seems to be great so far.

 

[rideexileex]

I wheeled plenty fine with an odyssey battery for years with nothing more than a scrap piece of wood as a spacer on the factory bracket. Then bought a welder and modified the factory bracket. Hasn’t gone anywhere.

FWIW - I’ve now had two of of odyssey batteries fail right around the 3 year mark. I’m now moving on to NorthStar

 

[pluton]

Unless you actually wheel your rig. The stock hold down is a joke. It let's the battery slide around a lot. Since putting in my Ballistic Fab battery box I never have to worry about my battery going flying into my fan shroud. lol

Yes, for some 'wheeling' is brutally rough driving. Some even 'wheel' for entertainment.
I just use the vehicle to 'get there.'
My battery hasn't moved since I installed it in 2013. That's having travelled many (500?) hundreds miles of washboard roads and easily over a thousand on dirt/rocks/sand using the slightly modified stock hold down.
By the way, the two FJ-60 Landcruisers I had had a similar battery hold down.
Ahhh, the Landcruisers...they actually were professional grade.

 

[SDmtnbkr]

Unless you actually wheel your rig. The stock hold down is a joke. It let's the battery slide around a lot. Since putting in my Ballistic Fab battery box I never have to worry about my battery going flying into my fan shroud. lol

Which battery and box did you go with? I just checked their site, and they don't have one for the Odyssey PC 1500 34R.

 

[theesotericone]

Which battery and box did you go with? I just checked their site, and they don't have one for the Odyssey PC 1500 34R.

This one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZWMQ4P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[SDmtnbkr]

This one.

Amazon.com: Ballistic Fabrication - 34/78 Die Hard/Odyssey DT Battery Box Tray: Automotive

Oh, nice. Did you still use the Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT and rewire the battery terminals, or does this cage also work with the PC 1500 34R?

 

[theesotericone]

Oh, nice. Did you still use the Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT and rewire the battery terminals, or does this cage also work with the PC 1500 34R?

It works fine with the 1500 34R. That's the battery I have. I just flipped the cage 180. The skulls reversed but I could care less. lol

 

[Road Bull]

It works fine with the 1500 34R. That's the battery I have. I just flipped the cage 180. The skulls reversed but I could care less. lol

Here's a worthy upgrade!

So did you weld or bolt yours in? Did you get rid of that flimsy plastic tray crap altogether? The stock battery bracket and tray are trash for bumpy offroad.

 

[theesotericone]

Here's a worthy upgrade!

So did you weld or bolt yours in? Did you get rid of that flimsy plastic tray crap altogether? The stock battery bracket and tray are trash for bumpy offroad.

It's bolted. Not easy but not to hard. I'll weld it eventually. It's been on the to do list for over a year. lol

 

[SDmtnbkr]

It works fine with the 1500 34R. That's the battery I have. I just flipped the cage 180. The skulls reversed but I could care less. lol

Awesome, thanks!! I'll def snag that whole combo, and weld it in. I agree with [MENTION=143526]theesotericone[/MENTION] (and clearly yourself), the whole stock setup is garbage for getting after it.