Found a great deal on new Optima batteries today, $99 for a redtop. They have them in the base Commissary here in NW Florida. I couldn't pass one up at that price, especially since it's tax-free too, being on a military base. It's going in my 98 V6 F150, which was still going strong on the original battery. Here's my question...what is everyone using to secure it, since the factory hold down no longer fits? Also, are you putting the stock Ford cover back over the Optima, or just going without it? Thanks for any input...

Dave

 

I'll try to find the picture that a member posted. They went with dual Optimas in the stock tray, and put in an after market type hold down.

I seem to recall the picture had the batteries rotated 90* from the stock position. Now I can't say for 100% that this was the stock battery tray. Hopefully the member that has this sees the post and replies. In the mean time I'll keep trying to fidn the picture. The hold downs looked to be like the old hook type through the tray, with the plate over the top of the batteries. hope that made sense ).

 

Optima has the Ford adapter PN 242-0025

Check out this site;

http://www.optimabatteries.com/using...ht.asp?learn=1

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I just installed the yellow top in my 2001 F-150. It cam e with the ford adapters, Works fine, I used the orig cover, just had to inlarge one of the cutouts for the post. Beats buying a new battery cover.

 

I had installed an old Optima battery a few weeks ago when my original was starting to give slow starts. The Optima was not as wide as the original so I just drilled a new hole through the battery tray and inner fender that moved the factory hold down closer to the battery with a new bolt & nut. Worked great. The battery did not last though. It's 6 1/2 years old and had sat for about 2 of those years.