Since i have not seen a how to on this. I thought i would post of few pics of how i did my dual battery conversion.

After several test fittings i ended up doing these things.

Trim headlamp bracket bolt to be flush with it's nut.
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...12054477_n.jpg

Add a spacer to the bottom of the prop rod & bend the top for clearance.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...97401416_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...78400641_n.jpg

Remove locating tabs at front of battery tray.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...24691744_n.jpg

Make a plywood support plate for the batteries
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...95796961_n.jpg
The notches are right above the hold down bolt holes. It is 15.5 x 11.5 & yes i painted it.

Remove the clamp holding the positive cable to the engine mount bolt.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...51661068_n.jpg

Move ground connections out of way of batteries.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...37658006_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...19645756_n.jpg

Here are my nothing special battery cable connections. Not the preferred set up, but the 2 gauge jumpers work great. Factory terminals are marked 2 Gauge too.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...79018191_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...78400641_n.jpg

Here are dzl_damon's battery cables showing best way to do them.
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...dJackie032.jpg

Here is my battery hold down bar.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...43461493_n.jpg

Here is the finished install.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...27432705_n.jpg

 

Nice. How's it crank now

 

Much better. low 30's last night it cranked better than it did in middle of summer before.

 

Looks great!!!

 

I definitely want to do this. I was hoping to convert mine over to the stud post batteries that you see on commercial trucks and Big Rigs. I figured I could use some of the cables of off a wrecked Semi from work. I may have to do it this summer.

 

Looks good.

BTW the factory cables are 2/0 gauge not 2-gauge.
Jim

 

Do first gens crank? I just turn the key and bump it and its running

 

I thought that seemed odd . . .thanks for the correction

 

Does the battery trey have to be modified or is the plywood just an extension?

 

The plywood is simply there to evenly support the bottom of the batteries .
The required mods are very simple. Flatten the locating tabs or remove them.
(mine snapped off)
You will see them when you remove the stock battery.
Bend the top of the support rod & add a 1" spacer & longer bolt at the bottom end.

 

Thanks man ;-)

 

For you guy's that have them around you the Military dodges M880 series has a dual battery tray that I believe will fit in the same spot as the reg 1