2nd Battery Behind Left Side Rear Trim

[Timfromwa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Timfromwa]

Hi All,
I am a new Prado owner (2021 GXL) and new to the site. I am in the process of installing a dual battery system to run a small 30l drawer fridge. I am considering lithium, and to save space was thinking of mounting it in the rear behind the left hand interior trim panel. I haven't removed the trim to measure but there seems to be heaps of room in there. Has anybody mounted a lithium battery in there and what are peoples thoughts on the pros and cons.

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

Behind the left-hand rear trim panel is my go-to place for mounting small electronic modules including a trailer brake controller and parking sensor controller. However, I have not thought of trying to fit a battery of any sort in there. Have you worked out what size battery (in Amp-Hours) your fridge would need in there and how you would wire up the charging circuitry? You need to consider how long you expect the fridge would need to run between charges. That will determine whether a suitable battery can be found that will fit in the space.

[gunda Member Find all posts View Profile Close gunda]

I had the same thought, but struggled to make it work in the rear of the Prado. I had the third row seats removed and a false floor put in, and couldn't really see how to make it work. The best option would have been a Baintech slimline. If you install drawers then the wings give you a natural place to install a battery, but in the absence of that you'd need to construct something to protect the battery. I honestly don't think you'd get one behind the left-hand panel trim. I ended up placing a DCS lithium under the bonnet. The Prado has a good under-bonnet spot for a battery, and it seems a shame not to use it.

[Andyfive Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andyfive]

I’m looking at installing a battery under the rear in front of the tow bar. Fabricate something similar to the kaon water tank, but for a battery.