Dual battery cage/firewall reinforcement

[RockinChevy]

Guys, I'm gonna try ripping out my stock A/C and heater core today then start welding up a dual battery cage with some 2" angle iron. I needed another excuse to practice more mig welding.

Need feedback from those who have dual batteries mounted at the firewall, what are you using to reinforce the sheetmetal there? And how? I'm not too sure if simply drilling and bolting it on is sturdy enough to hold the weight.

 

[ryoken]

I take it you've seen mine.. 1/8 plate over a wide surface... just fender washered bolts tack welded from in the cowl and at the bottom of the firewall...

it's been flawless.. hasn't budged... backing plates certainly wouldn't hurt... But with my large contact patch, it's been fine...

it's back apart now with no sign of pulled stud areas or anything...

mine are # 27's too... it does intrude into the wheelwell, about the size of a cigarette pack..

 

[RockinChevy]

I remember this now... I was curious to see if anyone came up with different solutions. I don't have the inner fenders and wheel wells anymore and my batteries are still in the stock tray locations. I had to brace the bottom mounts to the lower core support. I used some leftover 3/8"x 2" plate, 2 pieces per tray. It was just enough to get by through my next wheeling trip.

I didn't originally decide on scrapping my a/c until I bought the Summit heater last week so plans are changing. No a/c, no doors and no top... I'm gonna get baked this summer

 

[ryoken]

f*ck AC...

I'm happy with mine, don't think I'd change anything...

 

[RockinChevy]

f*ck AC...

LOL I wouldn't need it in the east coast either! This isn't my daily driver anymore so I figured, screw it.
I had my blazer, what, 3 years? And I've only used the a/c less than 10 occasions. I don't use it when I drive solo but mostly for the passengers that can't stand the heat.

I guess they won't be riding with me anymore.

I'll go ahead and take out the a/c box and stuff then figure out how much support to put in. In your pics, it looks like the weight will be ok.

 

[lak2004]

Man I wish you lived closer to me Ryoken I could use a battery box setup like yours and fan shroud . What is holding your batteries down? I am doing a diesel swap soon so I am having to add a batt. and I want to put it on the firewall and get the majove heater as well.

 

[ryoken]

my hold-down is 1" angle iron, 3/16ths... the ends are cut, bent and welded to square it off.

It sits on a 1/4 thick rubber strip and is bolted thru the sidewalls with 1/4x20 hardware... simple, easy to pull and they don't budge...

eh, I'd love to have a shop and do it fulltime... I think I could do some pretty cool work...

 

[lak2004]

Sorry to Hijack brian .

 

[matt96shee]

can i have you a/c system?????

 

[RockinChevy]

Sorry to Hijack brian .

No worries, Luke

can i have you a/c system?????

I'm not sure yet, I might need it for another truck later.

my hold-down is 1" angle iron, 3/16ths... the ends are cut, bent and welded to square it off.

It sits on a 1/4 thick rubber strip and is bolted thru the sidewalls with 1/4x20 hardware... simple, easy to pull and they don't budge...

Thank you Paul for the pics. I didn't have time to get the a/c out today. I was busy modifying the tube doors that used to be on Supersize75K5's green '86 blazer. Had to drill new holes to bolt to the hinges since I cut my rockers a bit too high. Then drill more holes to bolt the side mirrors on.
Maybe next weekend, I'll get to the a/c removal then fire up the Moab heater. I'll worry about the battery cage later.