urbanknight

iTrader: (14)

Ok, I got a few requests to post instructions on how to relocate the battery to the trunk, so here goes. Vince (GuruDel) and I were surprised at how easy this was, and would rate it about a 4 on the difficulty scale.

Parts:
- battery relocation kit (PAW, Summit Racing, Kragen, etc.) $50-80
- (optional) battery box $10-15
- electrical tape
* if no relocation kit, you need about 16' of red 2ga wire, 2' of black 2 ga wire, 2 lugs (crimps with holes), 2 battery terminals, (optional) battery tray if you don't wish to reuse the original one.

Tools:
- power drill and various drill bits (1/8" and larger)
- metric socket set (10mm-17mm)
- metric open ended wrenches or ratchet wrenches (10mm-17mm)
- flathead screwdriver
- utility knife
- Channelloc pliers or vise grips
- coat hanger/bailing wire/tiewire

1. Remove battery, battery tray, and ground (black wire) *Do not leave battery directly on asphault as it can drain the battery.

2. Remove passenger side door sills, B pillar bottom, and front kickboard (most of these should just pop right out or have a plug)

3. Feed bare end of red wire from trunk through the passenger side of the trunk, then along the side of the passenger side door sills.

4. Find the rubber boot that has a bunch of wires running through the fire wall with it. On the engine bay side, cut an X for a small hole in the rubber boot.

5. Using a coat hanger or tie wire as a fish tape, push it through the boot from the engine bay until it can be seen in the passenger compartment.

6. Crimp fish tape around the red wire and gently pull through the rubber boot.

7. Pull slack from red wire until there is about 3' left in the trunk, and replace plasitc doorsills, B pillar, and kick panel.

8. Route the red wire to reach the original battery location. Strip 3/4" of the wire and crimp on the cable lug. Using original battery terminal, attach red wire to it and the original wires connected to it. Wrap entire connection in electrical tape to avoid causing a short.
*We bent and tore off the terminal part to reduce exposed metal and avoid a short.

9. Set battery tray in desired location in the trunk and mark where the mounting holes should go. Drill holes, starting with a smaller bit and going larger until the holes are large enough for the j-hooks or bolts they are meant for.
*We used j-hooks directly into the floorpan. If you use an alternate battery tray, you may bolt it to the floor with 4 bolts and use the j-hooks on it.

10. Mount battery and tray firmly in chosen location. Attach positive (red) terminal to battery.

11. Unscrew the closest trunk bolt and use it to attach the ground (black wire) to the trunk floorpan. Attach ground terminal to battery.

12. Check to make sure there are no bad connections or bared wires and start car.

Thanks to Vince for helping me out on this install. This took 2 people about 2 hours to complete.

Discuss thread here