Battery clamp for second battery

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

I am shortly going to install a second battery in my turbo diesel Prado. I intend to put it in the ready-made battery position on the left side of the engine bay.

I need to get a battery clamp for this side but I don't think it is easy as buying another one the same as that on the starter battery because that clamp has a kink in it and an offset to go around the vent caps an I think for the left side the kink and offset will have to go the other way (does that make sense?).

So, my question is does any model of the 90 series Prados, i.e. the petrol ones, have the starter battery on the left side so I can just go to Toyota and buy a clamp from that model? Or do I have to make one up myself? What have others done?

Your help is appreciated.
Ando

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

Not yet. Was just planning to buy a $10 plastic one from supercheap or autobahn or the like. I was just planning to replicate what holds the starter battery in.

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

Yeah, i read that one the other day. Problem with the 90 series Prados is that you can't use a 'standard' battery clamp like embi did because one of the bolting locations is the body x-member at the front of the bonnet and the other is using the typical long battery hold down bolt. So the clamp needs to be much longer than a normal one you would buy from supercheap.

Ando

[prado4x4 Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado4x4]

If by the 'left hand side', you mean the passenger side of the vehicle, then yes the 3.4l V6 petrol has it's battery there. The clamp for that is offset so it may suit you (One end bolted onto the crossmember, the other using the regular threaded rod/hook to hold it in place).

Should be easy enough to find someone with such a vehicle near you to have a look under the hood.

John

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

I'm a little confused as I havent seen a 90 series, but if you are using a supercheap battery tray like I did wouldnt the clamps just attach to the tray?

I bought a generic clamp and it just hooks into the side holes of the tray.

Maybe I am missing something here?

Got any pics?

[Dieselman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dieselman]

Hi all,
I have a 2001 model TD and fitted a second battery by going to my local toyota dealer and buying everything that the V6 uses to mount the battery (bracket same as right side but offset reversed). The only thing i found was the original V6 tray is for a smaller than N70 battery. From memory this all cost about $60

Hope this helps
Ben

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

Dieselman,

That is the track I am going down, but I wish I could get the parts for what you did. My local Toyota dealer has quoted me $58 for the little plastic battery tray and $28 for the clamp. I have ordered the clamp and will buy a cheap tray from supercheap for $15. I'd like the Toyota one 'cause then I would have to drill any holes to locate the tray but not for $60!

[Dieselman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dieselman]

Ando,
After seeing that the V6 tray does not fit 100% under a N70 battery if i was doing it again i would probably just make my own tray (thin chopping board??). The genuine tray was quite easily the dearest part of the job and you dont even see it from the top anyway!! The prices i mentioned where a very good trade discount but if you find a mate in the business you may be able to get those parts a bit cheaper (worth a go, its all $$$$)

Cheers
Ben

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

Just picked one up from the wreckers for $10 and the clamp and bolt for $15 so I am happy now.

Thanks for the feedback and advice all.

Ando