Bookmaker

I was working under my "new to me" 2005 CTD today, changing the oil and the differential fluids. While under the truck I spotted what looks to be an Optima yellow-top battery at the rear of the transfer case mounted on top of the skid plate. It looks like it came from the factory this way.

What's it for? Is it part of the tow package? Coach battery?

This thing has more batteries than a Prius...

DynoDynamicsNE

I wonder if the previous owner added the 3rd battery. Could be for just about anything, so your guess is as good as mine.

06PSD4ME

Maybe someone has put out contract on you....

Pooter

Any pictures? That deffinantly isnt factory!

phloop

Any wire's? If so follow them, they will lead you to what it is for. Maybe a stereo or some sort of back up battery for a trailer? Dodge would have put one like under your hood there. Actually for safety, they would not have mounted one there. Also, I think the yellow top is a deep cycle battery.

Cummins Freak

the blue tops are the deep cycle i'm pretty sure of that

cameroneod

The yellow tops are generally used for large stereo systems.

willtravel

The yellow top are deep cycle the blue are for marine applications. These gel style batterys are ten fold better than the standard cell type.

Bookmaker

Tomorrow I'll get under the truck, chase down where the wiring goes, and snap some more detailed pics while I'm at it. This thing was installed so well you'd swear it came from the factory that way. Thanks for all of the input.

Here's a pic taken by aiming my camera under the truck from the side (shooting blindly).

belgianmagic

MAYBE for a slide-in camper

Steven K

Yep, probably added a battery for a camper. I would have never thought about putting an extra battery there. If it's mounted good it seems like a good idea to me. You can never have enough batteries when your boondocking. I bet it's tied into the camper plug charging wire.

How is it mounted exactly? Can't tell for sure from the pic.

Buckshotmckee

It could be for a transfer pump for a aux. fuel tank, if the truck was used for a maintenance truck?

carharttfarmer

neat place for a extra battery and hey at least you got a optima cuz there $$$$$$$$ spendy

Bookmaker

This truck wasn't used as a work truck. When I found it, the dealer hadn't even cleaned it up from the trade and it was clean as a whistle. A non-smoker vehicle too. What I did find inside was coax cable with BNC connectors going from the center underseat console to the front and rear pillars. I'm wondering if the previous owner had some sort of amateur radio equipment in there. The truck has the original 6 disc changer radio in it and I've found no evidence of an aftermarket stereo installation. The only thing I've done to this truck is change out the front POS door speakers.

I haven't had a chance to get under the truck and chase down the third battery wiring yet. I'm betting it hooks to the electrical system somewhere to get its charge and also has wires running to that center underseat console.

Sevir

The coax cable is for a CB radio. But there would be no reason to have a extra battery for just that