My SHO won't take ANY battery!?!

[mlatten]

I want to replace the battery. Sounds simple, right?

Then why can't I find a SINGLE battery to fit the bracket (they all fit into the pan). Every company apparently puts a handle bracket mold on the sides of them, meaning they are too wide to fit into the brace. Even my local Ford guys were stumped. So then I tried Sears, Pep Boys, Napa, Autozone, and Aid, in that order. Nobody's got one that will fit.

She's a 95 MTX, and I know it's the original bracket. The SVT guys wanted to shave off the molded edge, but I asked him if he wanted to drive with cut battery. Long story short, I got my money back for the battery, but I let them keep the core.

So, what is the answer. I really don't want to cut and weld the bracket to fit around this carrying handle. Is it possible to fit in the brace that the SC's used, with the screw that compresses the bottom of the battery? I don't think there's enough room.

I guess in the 90's we had to carry a battery by the bottom! The horrors!
Anything is appreciated, especially solutions!
Thanks guys and gals. Matt

 

[EMB2580]

LOL, I know what you mean! I can't get the bracket to fit over my battery either. After messing with it for over an hour, I finally said "screw it" and threw it in the trunk!! Now the battery that was in the car was smaller than the bracket, WOW, huh? Because it was smaller, someone shimmed it with 2 pieces of slate.

 

[mlatten]

Nice. Some pool table was salvaged for your SHO. I'm glad it's not just me then. What a bummer, I feel like I'm gonna end up with an Interstate under the hood.

Thanks for the reply,
Matt

 

[SHObill]

I just installed a new battery tonight & had to remove a section off both sides for the silly handls! Not hard to do,wont hurt the case as long as you do not get carried away! It was just molded on ribs, you wont get into the wet side by removing them. I used my die grinder with a cut off wheel & cleaned it up with a sharp utility knife. I got a JCI Driving Force Platium 850 CCA on sale at Murry's Auto for $69. Perfect fit.

 

[mlatten]

I was hoping to avoid cutting, but if that's what it takes, that's what has to happen. Thanks for assuring me that I'm not crazy and batteries nowadays really do come with the rib molds.

That should do - thanks - Matt.

 

[keny_kimmel]

Weird, too bad you dont live over here in the tri-state area. (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) GI Joes has batteries that fit perfectly in there. Oh btw, I need a new one but my battery tie-down bracket is battery acid corroded and doesnt work anymore. Where can I get one?

 

[mlatten]

Yeah, they said that bracket is obsolete, and there's no chance of retrofitting. When I asked what they would have done if I dropped the car off to get the battery changed, the sales rep said I would have driven out with a crap load of duct tape. That leaves with a sick feeling. Best of luck scoring one at a yard.

Matt

 

[Mike Jones Who?]

go to walmart and pick up a tie down kit, not bad imho for like 5 bux