Dual Batteries on an 05+ Tacoma

[Dipodomys]

Any thoughts on this good people? They didn't leave us much room in the engine compartment, and I can't find anyone on this forum who has done it (maybe I didn't look hard enough). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, especially in regards to how to relocate engine compartment items to make room for Battery Number 2. Thanks.

[ECVMatt]

but haven't found any info either...

Matt

[Schattenjager]

For space limitations, I chose one MONDO battery - an Odyssey 2150. These are also re-badged and sold as Sears Platinum batteries. Details:

http://www.enersysreservepower.com/PC2150_Intro.asp

I have upgraded headlights, four LF 170's and will soon have a Mile Marker E9000. There is plenty of room to grow with the 2150. I have gotten more than one favorable comment from the wrenches at the dealership - many have never seen a battery that powerful before.

[Jacket]

Interesting how different people's perceptions are.....To me, there's quite a bit of room in the engine compartment, especially on the passenger side, but also on the driver side by the brake master cylinder.

Anyway - I've seen one guy that used a Slee battery tray to install 2 batteries in the stock location - IIRC it was two Optimas. I don't know if there are any pictures out there, but I'll poke around. You also have the option of using the truck bed for a second battery.

And FlyingWil has two batteries in the stock location of his 1st gen Tacoma, which can't have more room than we do. Take a look at his truck thread.

[Dipodomys]

I guess what I meant is that there are no obvious locations for a second battery. That doesn't mean there aren't creative alternatives to get around the problem. The last time I put in a dual battery setup was on a 1985 Chevy pickup, and it had a readymade battery tray already built in opposite the primary battery on the other side of the radiator. Of course, that was a horse of a different color...

Anyway, there may be room in the stock location for two smaller batteries mounted side-by-side, as has been noted. I'm a big fan of clean, OEM-looking installations, and that might be the best bet. I'll get out the measuring tape and look at battery specs.

[gearbox]

This guy has it all figured out. (http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67738)

[Dipodomys]

Very nice setup this guy has. He clearly knows what he's doing. The other, and probably easier and cleaner option appears to be placement of two Odyssey PC1200MJT batteries side-by-side and longways in the stock battery location.

FlyingWil (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=89760&highlight=Dual+batteries#post89760) has this setup in his first generation Tacoma and based on measurements of my 2008 it will fit second generation Tacomas as well. These batteries are remarkably small (7.87"L x 6.66"W x 7.75"H) but are comparable in power to the stock battery. It seems like a simple matter of fabricating a larger battery tray and adding some hold-down components. Add a battery separator and you're all set. I think I'm covered. Thanks, guys!

[soonenough]

Be sure to take some pics of the install. I'd like to see how yours turns out.

[SLOwag]

Post up a pic of your engine bay, because my '09 has the ABS mounted on the driver side so there is some room on the passenger side where I believe the ABS was mounted in the past....It even has the studs in place that I was thinking of mounting a base for a secondary battery.

[rambrush]

Yes on my Tundra I was able to mount twin odyssey 1200's side by side in the stock location. worked out great.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/members/rambrush/albums/dual+battery+install-623/

[Tacomedic]

My 03 setup....

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2/XJMedic1/IMG_1753.jpg

[smokymt]

Part of the Maya Hunter Tacoma project included installing a dual battery setup. They put two Optima batteries in the same space as the stock battery.

http://www.oramagazine.com/pastIssues/0503-issue/050301t-maya-hunter.html

[cruiseroutfit]

Pics of a setup I built in a late model Tacoma here: :D
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=183101&postcount=17

[Jacket]

Pics of a setup I built in a late model Tacoma here: :D
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=183101&postcount=17

Is there no limit to the usefulness of zip-ties?!? :D :ylsmoke:

[soonenough]

Pics of a setup I built in a late model Tacoma here: :D
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=183101&postcount=17
cruiseroutfit - do you happen to happen to remember what needed to be relocated for the batteries to fit there?

[cruiseroutfit]

cruiseroutfit - do you happen to happen to remember what needed to be relocated for the batteries to fit there?

I moved the fuse block assembly back, other than that I don't recall relocating anything.

[heeltoe989]

I run 3 red tops mounted in the box of my truck in a big rubbermaid action packer which is bolted down to the bed. The batteries sit in 3 taylor battery boxes. Ran 2ga wire for the batteries. Wanted the batteries in the bed of the truck to take a bit of weight off the front of the truck.

I also run the Painless dual battery hook up mounted in the center console of the truck with the painless solenoid mounted where the old battery used to be. my ARB compressor also lives in the same place.

Works great and loads of power for future wiring upgrades.

[Switch]

Very nice setup this guy has. He clearly knows what he's doing. The other, and probably easier and cleaner option appears to be placement of two Odyssey PC1200MJT batteries side-by-side and longways in the stock battery location.

FlyingWil (http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=89760&highlight=Dual+batteries#post89760) has this setup in his first generation Tacoma and based on measurements of my 2008 it will fit second generation Tacomas as well. These batteries are remarkably small (7.87"L x 6.66"W x 7.75"H) but are comparable in power to the stock battery. It seems like a simple matter of fabricating a larger battery tray and adding some hold-down components. Add a battery separator and you're all set. I think I'm covered. Thanks, guys!

I don't spend too much time on this forum but that's my setup (so thanks "gearbox" for the compliment). My goal was MAX Amp hours which is why I went for the PC1700 rather than side by side PC1200's. IMHO since you'll have to fab battery mounts either way and pop for fuses and isolator the difference in cost between PC1700 /PC 925 Vs. PC1200 X2 is negliable. The 925 is just there to crank the engine if the 1700 has been drained...


Dipodomys: regardless of battery size and position, the thing to pay attention to is securing wires to prevent movement and insulating between wire and chassis. Use zip ties to secure wires and split conduit and gromets to make sure that nothing rubs (maybe you know this already, so sorry for car wire kindergarten - I've seen writeups that make me cringe...).