Replace battery terminals?

[NathanOfSeattle]

I'm looking to replace my battery terminals and I saw these at the auto store. Will these work? And can I simply remove the terminals?

 

[Ruiner]

these would be better

Metra - 5/16" Wing Nut Positive Battery Terminal - Gold - GBT1P

since gold doesn't oxidize

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

Thanks. I already have these terminals laying around. I just wanted to see if they will work and it seems like they will.

So I should be able to simply remove the terminals?

 

[nissanh]

I always use OEM terminals (pull a new wire and terminals from a parts car). I had these aftermarket terminals and they looks ugly and feel like the truck is 50 years old!

 

[Ruiner]

Thanks. I already have these terminals laying around. I just wanted to see if they will work and it seems like they will.

So I should be able to simply remove the terminals?

yeah they should, you may need to get some of these to crimp on to the endo of where you cut off the old terminal

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

Oh I didn't think I had to cut and crimp. Where do I get those at?

 

[Ruiner]

Oh I didn't think I had to cut and crimp. Where do I get those at?

autozone, best buy, etc... lemme go take a pic of my terminals, im pretty sure you have to cut them and put them into a terminal that you can screw down on to that terminal you have.

 

[Ruiner]

it looks like you might be ok using the factory positive ends, but you may need to mod the negative one (flatten it out, and maybe drill the hole out bigger)

 

[Thurlo76]

last week i replaced all the wiring to my battery other than the main positive going to the cab. i have all 2 gauge wire from alternator to battery and 2 gauge from neg. to frame, motor, and body. the lights dont flicker at all now when i have the music turned all the way up and the lights seem a little brighter.

if you are going to do just the terminals you might as well do the wires to.... just do it all right and get it out of the way.

 

[Doc2012]

I'm running these. No problems so far, and have had them on for awhile. Broke one one day from taking the battery on and out, but that's because I was being stupid with it.

Search: battery terminals | Battery Terminal Quick Clamp | AutoZone.com

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

it looks like you might be ok using the factory positive ends, but you may need to mod the negative one (flatten it out, and maybe drill the hole out bigger)

Thanks Ruiner. I tried this morning to unscrew the old terminals and couldn't get the screws the budge! Should I use some PB Blaster to undo then?

Thurlo76: I saw where the wiring goes. Kind of nervous to remove all the wiring and replace it. For someone that just routinely changes oil (and that's it) is this easy enough to do?

 

[Ruiner]

Thanks Ruiner. I tried this morning to unscrew the old terminals and couldn't get the screws the budge! Should I use some PB Blaster to undo then?

Thurlo76: I saw where the wiring goes. Kind of nervous to remove all the wiring and replace it. For someone that just routinely changes oil (and that's it) is this easy enough to do?

wiring can be a huge pain in the ass, pretty much plan to have one of those terminals break, it always seems to happen to me. The terminal is probably seized from all the corrosion, let it soak in some pb blaster over night and then give it a shot, if all else fails just cut it and get those ends. I usually dont crimp them though, i solder them using a torch.

 

[Ruiner]

honestly unless you are running a large stereo or something like a winch or other large power draw there isnt much need to go replace your wirring (unless its falling apart)

 

[Doc2012]

Thanks Ruiner. I tried this morning to unscrew the old terminals and couldn't get the screws the budge! Should I use some PB Blaster to undo then?

Thurlo76: I saw where the wiring goes. Kind of nervous to remove all the wiring and replace it. For someone that just routinely changes oil (and that's it) is this easy enough to do?

Grab the terminal with a pair of pliers. the use a 12mm on the nut. You're getting rid of the old terminal anyway, doesn't matter if you break it any further.

As for that nut, put some anti-seize on it.

 

[Thurlo76]

Thurlo76: I saw where the wiring goes. Kind of nervous to remove all the wiring and replace it. For someone that just routinely changes oil (and that's it) is this easy enough to do?

if you look at it all at once it is pretty intimidating. if you go one wire at a time, then mark it with tape either positive or negative it isnt that bad. i think stock toyota only came with 2 wires to the positive and 2 for the ground. with my aftermarket lights and stereo that number went to 5 on the positive and i added a a few on the negative so i have 4 now.

just do it one wire at a time and mark it regardless of what you end up doing. and remember its good to have as many grounds as possible if you have after market electrical things sucking up juice

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

Thanks for your help guys. Am I correct in understanding that by removing these bolts, the terminals will separate from the existing wiring?

 

[Thurlo76]

nope..... the negative wire (that goes down below the oil filter) is crimped onto that terminal. you will need to either cut the wire and re crimp/ solder on a new tip for the new terminal.

the positive one will unbolt like you want.

 

[theizzardking]

nope..... the negative wire (that goes down below the oil filter) is crimped onto that terminal. you will need to either cut the wire and re crimp/ solder on a new tip for the new terminal.

the positive one will unbolt like you want.

on my old one i just cut the clamp off at that bolt and just used that bolt hole to mount to the new terminal, et some vise grips and grab the terminal at the bolt hole and cut the terminal, flatten it out a bit and secure to the new terminal..kind of hard to explain but if you cut it right you can just hook it all up without crimping

cut on blue line, haha

 

[NathanOfSeattle]

on my old one i just cut the clamp off at that bolt and just used that bolt hole to mount to the new terminal, et some vise grips and grab the terminal at the bolt hole and cut the terminal, flatten it out a bit and secure to the new terminal..kind of hard to explain but if you cut it right you can just hook it all up without crimping

cut on blue line, haha

I like the idea of not cutting the existing wire and crimping. Thanks for sharing. Can I just use a simple hack saw to cut along the blue line? That's a tool I already have.

 

[theizzardking]

I like the idea of not cutting the existing wire and crimping. Thanks for sharing. Can I just use a simple hack saw to cut along the blue line? That's a tool I already have.

yeah but go easy on it, it's thin and has a tendency to twist if not firmly clamped, should work but it's going to be a pain trying to saw and hold the cable, no dremel or any sort of grinding or cutting tool? a saw will work, as it has for thousands of years, but it's not going to be fun.....an really it's a bit foggy you may have to do a bit of clean up work to make it fit nicely, i would really suggest a dremel type thing.

i just had a look at mine at it "should" work but make sure you look at the clamp before sawing and get the right spot!

i know this method works but not sure if you can make it happen with a hand saw...

alternatively, i have a crimper for those wires if you just want to buy nice ones and pop by tomorrow and sort it out?