Its time for new batteries in my truck and I saw on another forum that someone had put CAT group 31 batts in his truck with slight modification of the battery trays and rerouting of wire harnesses and such. From what I read, its sounds like something I want to do and I think it'll help come January and February with the almost daily negative 20-30* morning temps. I read that these will fit pretty well in an 80s Ford, little tighter in an 87-91 Ford, and next to impossible in a 92-97, in the factory location. And since I'm looking for a 92-97 truck to swap my motor into, I thought I could put these in my toolbox until I can afford to do a flatbed, then I could just put them in an underside toolbox. I understand the issues with running a cable this long and that it will have more chances of grounding out somewhere. I think I can get a set of these for a fair price at the ranch store that's about a half hour from me. Anyway, I'd like your guys input on this and running these batteries along with any helpful advice on where to get the necessary cable, terminals, and pieces, and whatever else I might need.

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Nobody got anything to say?

 

Yeah, I converted to group 31's a few years ago. Be careful what kind of batteries you buy. I bought Deka batteries - they sucked and didnt last long. I have since converted to group 34/78 Red Top Optimas and havent had a bit of trouble since.


I had to cut out one side of my battery trays. Instead of lengthening a couple of cables, I just went ahead and replaced all of my cables with 2/0 welding cable. I used crimp on cable ends with military style style battery clamps.

A good place to get this stuff is Heavy Duty, Aftermarket, Custom Battery Cables for your Car, Truck or RV (including the length of cables youll need to make)

Is that kind of the info you were looking for ???

Heres a couple of pics of mine:

 

Thanks. Anything helps. The other forum I read it on, the guy changed out all his cables with 4/0 cable. He just put them in the factory battery locations and ran all new cables but I wouldn't have it quit as easy.

I kind of want to stay away from name brand if I can just because I know they are going to cost more so do you know of any re-branded ones or cheaper ones that are still good? I'm not real sure what the farm/ranch store that I mentioned has, but I know they have their own brand ones. The store is CAL Ranch. They have stores in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. Next time I head that way I'll be checking them out as well as the parts stores.

 

4/0 is VERY thick cable and really not needed unless maybe you are running it the length of the truck. 2/0 is even overkill.

If I was buying group 31's again - Id probably just get Interstate Workaholics or Workhorse. Make sure you get ones with SAE type terminals. Some group 31's have smaller stud type terminals.

I cant comment on those group 31's but like I said, the offbrand 31's I had were junk.

 

Well, like I said before, I plan on putting these in my toolbox due to their size and since my swap vehicle is going to be an extended or crew cab, do you think I'd need the 4/0 then? My last truck had a Interstate Workaholic. I loved that thing. It was a 460 but no wonder it would start so well in winter. I didn't know that it was a 31. I might try for them then because I love that thing. I had all sorts of lights wired on that truck too.

 

Ah, I missed the toolbox part. Yeah if thats the cae 4/0 might be a good idea - but still its very thick. Dont worry about the cable shorting - cover it with split wire loom or better yet rubber hose.

 

Before I get too wild looking at these, can you have too big of a battery? I mean power wise, not physical size. Just wondering because I found an Interstate 1400CCA/1750CA battery. I'm pretty sure that will start my truck at -30* but will it hurt the electrical system at all?

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I found a thing that you can attach the cable to to run through bulkheads and such. Its on that site that you linked to that I might try rather then running it through holes but I definitely would be putting something over to protect it.

 

No Im talking about the Group 31 Commercial version. I think its called Workhose or Workaholic.

 

I think you might have misunderstood that one, which was my fault. The engine was a 460. I think it was like a 750CCA or 875. I don't really remember. I think it was a Group 31 though. It was too long and wide to fit in the tray. And it was heavy. But it said Workaholic right on the top of it.

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Found an old video where I showed the battery in my last truck. Label on it was dirty and a little rough so I couldn't tell what group but I could clearly see 950CCA.

 

I will throw my .02 in here. I am currently running two group 31 batteries in my '01. I am using the die hard platinum marine batteries from Sears (made by Odyssey). They have been in for three years now without any issues whatsoever, there isn't even any corrosion at the terminals (of course). I did install the battery cables from Custom Battery Cables and have not had any issues with them either. My reason for going with the group 31's is that they fit with very slight modification of the battery tray, and you can never have too much cranking power. I also have a Webasto in the truck that I use almost constantly every winter, and with the group 31's I never have to wonder if the truck will start or not...