Relocating a Battery to the Trunk/Boot
Purpose
Cars handle much better when the weight distribution over the axles is as close to 50% / 50% as possible. You can help move some of the weight to the rear of the car by relocating the battery to the trunk. The end goal is to have a battery in a safe box located in the trunk. The wiring will be ran through the inside of the car. Battery life extends when being stored in a colder location. Engine heat and hot days sitting in the sun can cause batteries to fail after 1-2 years.
What you need?
- Marine-grade battery box. Aluminum is Best but plastic can be used
- Roughly 6 Sheet metal screws and Cushion Clamps.
- 15-20 ft of 1 GA Positive Battery Cable Red
- 2 Battery Terminals
- 2 ft. of 1 GA Negative Battery Cable Black
- 1 or 2 Grommets for Firewall and Trunk Entrance
- 2 battery connectors 1 for Ground 1 For Starter
- Hammer Lug Crimping Tool
What to do?
- Make sure to run a ground strap from the motor to the body.
- Don't run the new wiring UNDER the car. Go through the interior under the carpet
- Watch out for the movement of the seat rails.
- Often you can find unused grommets but you can always drill a hole and add one.
- 4 Gauge wire is said to be the minimum acceptable gauge. Anything less is dangerous.
- Leave plenty of Contact area for your ground to battery. Mount to shiny metal, no paint.
- Watch out for any hot engine parts such as exhaust when running your wires from the starter.
Directions:
- Remove battery
- Remove the ground wire
- Remove the battery tray if possible
- Test fit your power cable through the interior of the car
- Install the Positive Cable to the starter and attach any other wires.
- Mount the battery box in the trunk. Leave room to remove the lid.
- Cut any excess cable for a nice fit.
- Use the Hammer Crimp tool to install terminals. Some cables come pre crimped with terminal.
- Mount a ground strap from the body of the car to the engine.
- Recheck the wiring and Reconnect the battery.
- Have Fun!
