Topic: Optima hold down

[KYOTA]

Replaced the battery in my 83 today with a red top Optima but discovered that the factory hold down wouldnt work. So with a little tinkering I came up with a way to use the factory bracket. In the first picture you can see that theres about 1 1/2" gap between the battery and hold down if bolted in stock location. sorry about the fuzzy pics

[KYOTA [OP]]

So I thought if I used a spacer and a longer bolt (8mm x 1 3/4") I could just mount the hold down from underneath the core support. This was just an extra sleeve that came with some Rancho shocks.

[KYOTA [OP]]

Spacer on top and longer bolt thru hold down

[KYOTA [OP]]

Bolted up thru from the bottom using the same factory welded in nut

[KYOTA [OP]]

I also had to add about an inch of threads to the j bolt

[KYOTA [OP]]

All done, saved me the trouble of fabbing up a new peice. Now Im going to try and find a holdown thats in better shape that still has the rubber coating intact.

[BigMike]

My optima came with some cheesy removable plastic dish on top that matches the normal battery height. Of course I threw mine away

But your setup looks stock and alot less clutter, nice

[KYOTA [OP]]

super easy and fast, not including trip to the hardware store for the bolt it took about 10 minutes

[reklund5]

I have a optima supplied spacer underneath the battery.  It clips onto the battery and makes it stock height.  You might check with your Optima dealer....

Ryan

[KYOTA [OP]]

yah  like lift blocks for batteries

[Skinny_Pedal]

nick used that "lift block" on his. but his tie down consist od a pice of 1/4" flatbar. he just spaced it simialr to kyota and bolted it down. very strong. was still in place after the roll

[WHITE_TRASH]

Dang you guys think too much.  a scrap wiece of 2x8 with short screws holding it to the battery tray from the bottom worked great for mine.  No need to do anything else.

[KYOTA [OP]]

Why didnt I think of that, I have some leftover wood from my truck build up too! thanks WT   

[BigMike]

[WHITE_TRASH]

Hmm I dunno Kyota, maybe that rig could get into and out of your driveway without hitting the house......

[Huhwhye]

I am using the stupid plastic lift block and it still doesn't fit right.  I had to rig something up but I'm going to look at it tommorow to see it KYOTA's idea will work better.  Thanks for the tip