For those of you who run dual batteries I have some good news! Wrangler Northwest Power Products has constructed a dual battery tray for our Defenders! For those of you who aren't familiar with them they sell the dual battery setup via Atlantic British. I just happen to stop by Wrangler NWPP to pick up some electrical supplies and the tray was brought to my attention by an employee. Evidently another enthusiast had NWPP fabricate a tray for him. They just happen to have an additional prototype and asked if I were to install it and provide installation instructions that I could keep it.
The tray is extremely robust and is finished with a glossy black powdercoat! The tray mounts flush to the base and sidewall of the battery box and anchored by five stainless steel fasteners. The construction of this tray allows for the placement of two optima batteries secured by three steel J-hooks affixed to an alloy cross bar. The tray is small enough to supplement other devices in the battery box, e.g. isolators, cut-off switches, relays, but can still house two optima's. Needless to say this set up is far superior to the OEM battery option.
If anyone has any questions about it just give Wrangler NWPP a call and ask for Stan Hackathorn. He's a really nice guy and will be able to provide more information about the tray and its introduction into the market.
I made my own using 1/8" aluminum and pop riveted it down. I think one side of the storage area is lower than the other, I believe I used 1/4" aluminum to buildit up so it was level. I then drilled two holes and threaded them, used threaded rod and 1/4" aluminum bar to hold down the batteries. I finished the tray off with textured rubber. I probably spent about $20 to make mine, and not for nothing, it looks better than the NW one.
Super easy to make, took maybe 2 hours.
Are mods needed??? I just fitted dual batteries last week. Set them on some 1" hard insualtion and held down with the stock retainer. All fit in no problems.
I'm not sure? I think the idea was to sell the tray and the isolation unit together, but I don't know for sure.
Red90 said:
Are mods needed??? I just fitted dual batteries last week. Set them on some 1" hard insualtion and held down with the stock retainer. All fit in no problems.
I suppose not, but I had my dual batteries secured in the same manner as yours and it didn't last very long. The stock retainer rusted out from water ingress and bent due the vibrations from wheeling. I just couldn't handle the stress. After that I used a cargo strap secured by two footman loops. It worked but was a real pain to remove and fasten when ever I accessed the compartment.
I suppose not, but I had my dual batteries secured in the same manner as yours and it didn't last very long. The stock retainer rusted out from water ingress and bent due the vibrations from wheeling. I just couldn't handle the stress. After that I used a cargo strap secured by two footman loops. It worked but was a real pain to remove and fasten when ever I accessed the compartment.
I suspect my stock retainer must be a bit heavier than yours. It is made from 1/4" x 1" flat bar broken into an angle shape. A good bit stronger than the battery box. I replaced the threadeds ends for a couple of bucks from the auto parts store with new standard hold downs.
I suspect my stock retainer must be a bit heavier than yours. It is made from 1/4" x 1" flat bar broken into an angle shape. A good bit stronger than the battery box. I replaced the threadeds ends for a couple of bucks from the auto parts store with new standard hold downs.
Nope, according to your picture my retainer is the same as yours, but in really poor condition. As for the J-hooks, I couldn't find any that would fit in the battery box so I elected the "do-it-yourself" strap job I mentioned earlier.
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