found one

[ryanroo]

i did a test run fill up ont he cooling system. found a leak in the radiator and the heater core. so i removed both of them and had said leaks soldered. it now sits full of coolant.

spent some time trying to figure where i am going to put the batteries. under the hood is out of the question, really would liketo avoid the stock battery box as i am not sure if it will stay in the truck. right now i am looking at the frame rail across from the fuel tank, or building some form of battery box off of the round tube crossmember above the rear axle.

ryan

[brute4c]

Just a thought...since you have fab skills in the high order...

One member at least built a pull out battery tray on the bed side just behind the underbed storage compartment...slids out the side for accesskeeps them up high when out driving.

Somewhere we have at least one pic...but I cant remember who did it....

[ryanroo]

got some pics of stuff that is worth taking pictures of finally.

this is the battery mount. need to paint it, but overall i am happy with it. i need to make the strap for a hold down still, but i may wait till i buy good batteries since i am not sure what i will be buying



can either lay down or stand up





these are the rocker sliders. still not 100% done, but i had some other stuff to do today, so maybe tomorrow i can get them done or closer to it











ryan

[Jester]

Are there any worries about having the batteries exposed to mud, water, etc?

[ryanroo]

my goal is to get some optimas. then mud water and rocks are a non issue. for the begining i will very likely get napa run of the mill batteries to save cost. i doubt there is any problem, i have seen normal lead acid batteries in some pretty messy conditions with no ill effects
ryan

[Jester]

my goal is to get some optimas. then mud water and rocks are a non issue. for the begining i will very likely get napa run of the mill batteries to save cost. i doubt there is any problem, i have seen normal lead acid batteries in some pretty messy conditions with no ill effects
ryan

Interesting. Like the idea of moving some weight to the rear.

[brute4c]

Well designed mount Ryan...as usual for you!

[fng]

Man that is one tricked-out truck. Your fabbing skills are on par with the best I've ever seen. What are your plans for paint and finish?

[ryanroo]

Interesting. Like the idea of moving some weight to the rear.

that was my desired outcome. trying to have the truck be as well balanced as possible. i will take it to a scale when i get it moving just to see how well i did. batteries should help offset the weight on the divers side from the fuel in the tank. they are directly over the rear axle, so that is a decent amount of weight coming off the front. right now the front of the engine block is about centered on the front axle, so most of the driveline weight is in between the axles. i wish i had access to some heavy duty four corner scales. not that it would do much to change my build, but it would be fun to quench my curiosity.

ryan

[ryanroo]

Well designed mount Ryan...as usual for you!

Thanks