55 CJ3B odd battery location

So the PO relocated the battery to underneath the tub behind the rear axle. Does anyone know the reason for that? I would much rather put it under hood. My only thoughts is that he put it there because of the SBC 305 swap.

 

Yea I would move it. I put mine(Optima) behind the dash above the passengers feet on it's side in the 2A. Tight but very doable.

 

Lower center of gravity where it's at. Unless you want a rear tank, I would just leave it. I put mine in front of the axle, but also under the bed with an access hatch. Not really room for it in the stock location with a sbc.

 

As a follow up, what did they run for battery cable? With that long lead, you want something pretty heavy to limit the resistance loss. I used double ought welding cable. And since that lead is also probably not protected, make sure it is well insulated with proper mounting. I put split loom over the welding cable and used EPDM lined Adel clamps. If the cable does get abraided and shorts out, you will have your own, and likely very expensive, on-board welder in action.

If you are using a sealed battery, maybe not a problem but with the old wet cells, checking/filling the battery with no top access is a royal pain in the posterior. Bobcat did that to me with their Toolcat-have to remove the battery to check it.

 

That's very common in racecars. It's done for weight distribution and to locate the battery in a safer location. If yours is out of harms way, I'd just leave it.

 

I'll have to check how they ran the cables. The only reason I want to move it is because I do want to take it on trails and stuff and it seems like it is least protected there. The jeep is at my friends garage. He is helping me with an engine swap. Honestly, I'll be happy when it's running. I just wanted some opinions of whether to leave it or relocate it. I like RattyFlatty's idea but I really want easy access as I go on an start with the add-ons.

 

Here's what mine looks like

From about 1974 and just about everything but the battery box has changed over those 40 years


Floor access.


That location has proven immune to damage to this point in time. I tore the spring hanger off the frame right next to it but no damage to battery box. If you do decide to relocate it, make a plan for how you want the rest of it to come together. Personally, I didn't want the battery anywhere inside the tub and wanted the firewall for other uses, including a glove box and a heater.

I always though a 305 would make very good Jeep power with the relatively long stroke for the displacement. It should be better than any other small displacement sbc for this use, especially a TBI or Vortec version.

 

Duffer- thanks for the pics! That's a sweet rig!

 

Mine and my dad's batteries are located in the exact same spot as Duffers. Very common spot for jeeps built in the 70's with V8 swaps. Ours have a passenger side tool box lid welded into the floor there for access with a box built under it to house the battery. Room for a qt or two of oil and spare belts too.