Well I'm sure it's been done a million times before but I just figured I'd give everyone the heads up that if you cut the sides of the battery box off you can fit a battery out of a Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel in the hole and still use the factory tie down. I got an 880 CCA battery that tests at 1103 CCA today at work and it was about 20 minutes of fab work and I will say my truck starts as soon as you hit the key now. It was a cheaper alternative to buying an Optima. I believe it's a 63 series battery. It's nothing pretty to look at since it was in a landscaping truck. I can take pictures this weekend if needed but I'm thinking this is plenty simple enough to figure out.

 

why not double battery it with painless wiring and use off road batteries

 

Where would you be able to mount it ...In the bed??

The larger battery does sound like a good idea if you wanted to keep it all under the hood....Could you confirm that it is a 63 series...I came up with a 65 series for a 2003 Dodge Ram Diesel...but not sure....

 

they told me that at the Battery Store they said they made one for Rangers says they are manufactured in GA

 

yeah that dodge diesel is a group size 65

 

My bad it is a 65. I sprayed the top of the battery with brake clean and it wiped away most of the numbers. But yeah I wanted to keep it underhood for the time being. I already have a box in my bed I don't need a battery too.

 

Optima batteries are great if you play radio..use lights etc... while engine is off. It is a deep cycling battery made for this and will store a longer charge. Though if your wanting the most out of your battery on start-ups ... I'd reccommend a wire guage upgrade. I changed my standard ground and positive to the starter with 1 Guage (I Think Stock Its Bout 5 Guage) and it made a huge difference on cranking.

 

Well I've got all I need now. No worries. No wire upgrades for me until it's time for a big alternator.

 

Even though this isn't the topic of this thread...That statement above isn't exactly true of the RedTop Optima Battery...It's made as a "starting battery" the yellow top is designed as the deep cycle version (used for systems alot)....See the attached link.....
http://www.optimabatteries.com/publi...e/starter.html

I am thinking about getting a series 65 and stuffing it in the tray myself....LIttle extra isomething for those cold mornings...

 

 

Does the strap still fit over that thing?? How much of the tray did you have to cut off?

 

It still uses the factory tie down. You need a little bit longer of a bolt. I just went overboard and put a stud in because it was after 5 and I wanted to go home on Friday. With the battery box out there are lips on each side that hold the battery in place. I took a whiz wheel and cut both sides off. The battery fits perfectly so it's not going anywhere with the tie down in place. The only thing I learned on the first side I did was it was easier to work on one straight line cut about halfway through and then take a pair of pliers and keep bending it until it breaks off cleanly. I went through 2 wheels on the first side trying to cut completely through and it didn't come out as smooth as the other side.

 

Nice...what's the dimensions of the 65 series? I cannot find anything on I am looking to get the largest CCA Optima battery that will fit...but they don't make a series 65, so I am thinking the 34 series..(800 CCA & 980 CA)....
According to this Link the 34 series is only about 1/2" longer than the suggested 75/25 series, so I am thinking it might fit without cutting the tray.
It is like 10 degrees outside right now..and I would love to have the extra starting power....!!