Piranha battery tray install - AC pipe clearance

[glennc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close glennc]

Today I completed the install of a Piranha battery tray in my 2014 VX TD 150. I've fitted a few of these before, however this is the first time in a 150 Prado. The tray is the same for all 150 series commencing 2009 onward.

The instructions get you to install a bracket to relocate the A/C pipe, which is easy to do, however I found the pressure on the A/C pipe forced the new bracket mount to twist so the pipe is hard against the Piranha tray, this isn't a problem until I dropped the battery in tonight and found the A/C pipe sits hard against the battery. The instructions tell you to make sure there is adequate clearance on the A/C pipes, which there isn't.

Has anyone else experienced the same problem? How did you fix it? I didn't wan't to force the A/C pipe too hard and split it. Hopefully it's just a matter of tightening the new bracket more, but I needed 3 hands for that today!

Please share your experiences.

Thanks
Glenn

[slimf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slimf]

I have the same tray in my 2013 150. The ac pipe does twist the poorly designed bracket. However on mine, the pipe doesn't hit the tray, but I'm mindful that over time it might. I always check. Piranha should issue a corrected bracket imho.

[slimf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slimf]

Ps I tightened it heaps, but it's bad design of the bracket that causes it. It should be fixed and not dependent on how tight you get the bolt.

[arcsnsparks Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close arcsnsparks]

I have also come across this problem when I put the tray in with respect to the clearances mentioned in their fitting instructions. I took it back out and having bought the tray off them I took it back and mentioned my concerns. They said no problem we fit them all the time and bend the pipe so it clears and we have never had a problem. Alan also pointed out that it is not designed for self fit and it is mentioned on the fitting instructions. I was going to return it and search for something else but he said they would fit it for $40 so I booked it in. When the installation was completed they showed me with a dummy battery they have. In my opinion the clearances were not enough but they maintained they were. IMO The biggest problem is with the a/c hose bend in the aluminium and the angle the connecting rubber hose angles to the battery. In their picture this looks almost vertical and would clear fine. I don't know if earlier models are different or not in this respect. I put electrical split conduit over the hose and taped it and wound nylon spiral wrap around the aluminium part of the pipe and the water hose to give a bit more protection. The bending they did takes the strain off the bottom bracket. The trays are well made and someone on the forum just cut it down a bit.
SJ

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

I used a piranha tray to my 2010 and then again to the 2012 Prado, had no trouble with either.
See photos.

[glennc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close glennc]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, I'll have another go at tightening the bracket with an extra pair of hands.
good to see it's not just me :-)

[slimf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slimf]

Hmm based on those photos were talking about rubbing in different spots. My concern was the fat ac pipe that travels along the bottom of the tray towards the back of the engine bay.

[arcsnsparks Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close arcsnsparks]

If Toyota had kept the aluminium pipe straight up and down as seems to be pictured in Piranha fitting instructions clearance would be ok. Clearance under tray on mine seems ok but maybe that's why clearance on battery is not so good as pipe has been moved lower under tray. I am running a Bosch 95 AH marine battery, comes in at 21 kg which is the Piranha maximum recommended weight. I took the battery out of my 90 series. Obviously clearance could be gained with a bit smaller battery whilst still using the piranha clamp and tray as long as the ac pipe has been given clearance under the tray.
SJ

[slimf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slimf]

I have the Exide ED5 which is the recommended bat for this tray.. No probs anywhere near the top of bat.

[Kowolski Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kowolski]

You do need to very carefully bend the pipe a tad. You also need to release the pipe clip halfway back to the firewall to relieve strain on the pipe. Be careful as it's a dual wall pipe. The end result is the vertical pipe ends up about 5mm from the radiator and there is reduced strain on the bracket that extends from the battery tray. The rubber hose from the pipe should clear a large 100ah battery then. We put some spiral wrap plastic around the rubber pipe as an added precaution.

[glennc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close glennc]

Thanks everyone for your valuable insight, last night I removed the battery & tray and with a lot more muscle, tightened the bracket on the bottom of the tray. I'm much happier with the clearance if the pipe with the battery now

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

I'm trying to work out which battery tray to get. The Piranha one looks good because it seems to take a bigger battery than all the others.

How big a problem is the A/C pipe clearance?

Are there any other trays that accept a bigger battery without the A/C pipe problems?

[Matt01 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt01]

Super heap has some century n70 deep cycle on sale for $165.00

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

Super heap has some century n70 deep cycle on sale for $165.00

Is it this one?

It's 24kgs according to Century - is that too heavy?

I ended up going with the ARB tray & kit because it was easier and I'm short of time - now I have to find a battery... but we're a bit off topic!

[puck Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close puck]

Great info in this thread - thanks.

would maxjj or anyone be able to provide a little more detail around the supplied Piranha bracket that is used to connect the air con pipe to the chassis:
Does the gold bracket go under the tray? (only way i can see it fit) if so does this make it uneven?


Kowolski mentioned you need to carefully bend the pipe, could someone post a pic of where they bent the pipe so i can see how much and where the bend is?

Kowolski also mentioned you need to release the pipe clip, is this the nut attached to the silver pipe? in the Piranha doco it mentioned not to touch this nut?

Any clarification or further information would be a great help

Thanks