Battery Lug Upgrade...opinions??
#1
Battery Lug Upgrade...opinions??
Hey guys, I int he process of ordering some parts for replacing my battery lugs. The previous owner either killed his batteries alot, jumped alot of friends, or poured salt water on his battery lugs once a week. Seriously though, the lugs are all pitted and cracked. I'll have to post pictures. You can't even tighten them down really good.
So, I wanted to post what I was going and the products I was going to use.
Here are the lugs I was going to change to.
I decided to change to a post design for a few reasons:
1. Ease of adding items (Stereo, battery minder, inverter, etc)
2. Easier to take battery out
I would then cut the old clamp style connectors off the current cables and inspect the cables. Looking for corrosion, breaks, etc. I would also check the ground points also.
I will only use solder on style lugs, its so simple to do, looks better, lasts longer and works better.
If the cables look bad, I will probably do an upgrade to a 2/0-3/0 combination.
(Sizes of the lugs are depending if I replace the cables)
Here are the lugs im going to use.
Fusion Solder Connector
This one for the starter cable. The passenger side battery that has two wires coming off of it.
MagnaLug Fusion Solder
So let me know what you guys think.
I found this on custombatterycables.com
"Stock negative cables are 1/0 with #10 gauge chassis grounds. The stock positive cable uses 1/0 for the crossover, 2/0 for the starter and #6 for the fuse block."
So, I wanted to post what I was going and the products I was going to use.
Here are the lugs I was going to change to.
I decided to change to a post design for a few reasons:
1. Ease of adding items (Stereo, battery minder, inverter, etc)
2. Easier to take battery out
I would then cut the old clamp style connectors off the current cables and inspect the cables. Looking for corrosion, breaks, etc. I would also check the ground points also.
I will only use solder on style lugs, its so simple to do, looks better, lasts longer and works better.
If the cables look bad, I will probably do an upgrade to a 2/0-3/0 combination.
(Sizes of the lugs are depending if I replace the cables)
Here are the lugs im going to use.
Fusion Solder Connector
This one for the starter cable. The passenger side battery that has two wires coming off of it.
MagnaLug Fusion Solder
So let me know what you guys think.
I found this on custombatterycables.com
"Stock negative cables are 1/0 with #10 gauge chassis grounds. The stock positive cable uses 1/0 for the crossover, 2/0 for the starter and #6 for the fuse block."
#2
I'm not a huge fan of those clamps. At the very least strip the paint off the contact areas.
If mine were really bad I'd just throw a new cable set on there.
New Positive Battery Cable 99 01 Ford F250 F350 F450 F550 Excursion 7 3L V8 | eBay
If mine were really bad I'd just throw a new cable set on there.
New Positive Battery Cable 99 01 Ford F250 F350 F450 F550 Excursion 7 3L V8 | eBay
#3
Another option is, instead of using the Marine style clamp (there are heavier duty ones out there than what you linked), you can get the old fashioned replacement battery terminals in a heavy duty option, but instead of using the compression fitting to hold you cable in place, install the lugs like you're talking about and use the 2 bolts to clamp the lugs to the terminal (and any additional accessories). I've found that adding those star washers helps keep the bolts tight.
You can see what I'm talking about here.
You can see what I'm talking about here.
#4
Hey guys, I int he process of ordering some parts for replacing my battery lugs. The previous owner either killed his batteries alot, jumped alot of friends, or poured salt water on his battery lugs once a week. Seriously though, the lugs are all pitted and cracked. I'll have to post pictures. You can't even tighten them down really good.
So, I wanted to post what I was going and the products I was going to use.
Here are the lugs I was going to change to.
EPOXE COATED WING NUT MARINE TERMINALS : Amazon.com : Automotive
I decided to change to a post design for a few reasons:
1. Ease of adding items (Stereo, battery minder, inverter, etc)
2. Easier to take battery out
I would then cut the old clamp style connectors off the current cables and inspect the cables. Looking for corrosion, breaks, etc. I would also check the ground points also.
I will only use solder on style lugs, its so simple to do, looks better, lasts longer and works better.
If the cables look bad, I will probably do an upgrade to a 2/0-3/0 combination.
(Sizes of the lugs are depending if I replace the cables)
Here are the lugs im going to use.
Fusion Solder Connector
This one for the starter cable. The passenger side battery that has two wires coming off of it.
MagnaLug Fusion Solder
So let me know what you guys think.
So, I wanted to post what I was going and the products I was going to use.
Here are the lugs I was going to change to.
EPOXE COATED WING NUT MARINE TERMINALS : Amazon.com : Automotive
I decided to change to a post design for a few reasons:
1. Ease of adding items (Stereo, battery minder, inverter, etc)
2. Easier to take battery out
I would then cut the old clamp style connectors off the current cables and inspect the cables. Looking for corrosion, breaks, etc. I would also check the ground points also.
I will only use solder on style lugs, its so simple to do, looks better, lasts longer and works better.
If the cables look bad, I will probably do an upgrade to a 2/0-3/0 combination.
(Sizes of the lugs are depending if I replace the cables)
Here are the lugs im going to use.
Fusion Solder Connector
This one for the starter cable. The passenger side battery that has two wires coming off of it.
MagnaLug Fusion Solder
So let me know what you guys think.
I like the idea of making your own ...... wayyyy cheaper but contact on batteries in these truck is so critical i don't know if id risk it.
I'm not a huge fan of those clamps. At the very least strip the paint off the contact areas.
If mine were really bad I'd just throw a new cable set on there.
New Positive Battery Cable 99 01 Ford F250 F350 F450 F550 Excursion 7 3L V8 | eBay
If mine were really bad I'd just throw a new cable set on there.
New Positive Battery Cable 99 01 Ford F250 F350 F450 F550 Excursion 7 3L V8 | eBay
#5
Another option is, instead of using the Marine style clamp (there are heavier duty ones out there than what you linked), you can get the old fashioned replacement battery terminals in a heavy duty option, but instead of using the compression fitting to hold you cable in place, install the lugs like you're talking about and use the 2 bolts to clamp the lugs to the terminal (and any additional accessories). I've found that adding those star washers helps keep the bolts tight.
You can see what I'm talking about here.
You can see what I'm talking about here.
I just don't care for too many connections that can come loose. I kinda perfer the factory oem stuff but i don't like the cost
#6
Thats a good solution Chris now that you mention it. Where would one find the HD clamps? Also on the Passenger side batt do they make a clamp with a dual connector to inline the cable from the driver side to the passenger to the starter ?
I just don't care for too many connections that can come loose. I kinda perfer the factory oem stuff but i don't like the cost
I just don't care for too many connections that can come loose. I kinda perfer the factory oem stuff but i don't like the cost
For the passenger side, you just do the same thing. Put a lug on each cable (crossover and to starter) and clamp one on each post, or clamp them together on the marine style terminal. Quite a bit cheaper than replacing all the wiring. Grounds can be done the same way, but it seems to be easier to just use a marine style terminal for the grounds.
#7
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#8
I have never had any good luck with the HD ones from my local hardware store or tractor supply. After a while they tend to corrode and bend when tightened. So I used the following for mine.
Wingnut - Brass Battery Terminals
Then used some brass lugs and some soldier slugs when I did the install. I haven't had a problem yet and they have been in for over a year.
Also just a side note as a test I put Noalox between the terminals and the lugs. So far so good.
Wingnut - Brass Battery Terminals
Then used some brass lugs and some soldier slugs when I did the install. I haven't had a problem yet and they have been in for over a year.
Also just a side note as a test I put Noalox between the terminals and the lugs. So far so good.
#9
I know at one time I saw a thread that had a link to a place that sold better battery cables than oem but I can not find it. Does anyone know what I am talking about?
Nevermind I found it http://www.custombatterycables.com/index.htm
Nevermind I found it http://www.custombatterycables.com/index.htm
#10
I'm not a huge fan of those clamps. At the very least strip the paint off the contact areas.
If mine were really bad I'd just throw a new cable set on there.
New Positive Battery Cable 99 01 Ford F250 F350 F450 F550 Excursion 7 3L V8 | eBay
If mine were really bad I'd just throw a new cable set on there.
New Positive Battery Cable 99 01 Ford F250 F350 F450 F550 Excursion 7 3L V8 | eBay
Here is the link for the '02-'03 cables. Looks like they are about $25 cheaper....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-BATT...item53f28e836a
The later style will work on the '99-'01 models but you'll have to salvage the fender solenoid cable. It's not really that hard to do. I posted a thread a while back when I did this to my F-450 truck..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-01-truck.html
#12
Nice link!
Here is the link for the '02-'03 cables. Looks like they are about $25 cheaper....
New Battery Positive Cable 2002 2003 Ford F Series Excursion 2C3Z 14300 CA | eBay
The later style will work on the '99-'01 models but you'll have to salvage the fender solenoid cable. It's not really that hard to do. I posted a thread a while back when I did this to my F-450 truck..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-01-truck.html
Here is the link for the '02-'03 cables. Looks like they are about $25 cheaper....
New Battery Positive Cable 2002 2003 Ford F Series Excursion 2C3Z 14300 CA | eBay
The later style will work on the '99-'01 models but you'll have to salvage the fender solenoid cable. It's not really that hard to do. I posted a thread a while back when I did this to my F-450 truck..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-01-truck.html
#13
#15