Hey guys, I have an Optima Red top in the 7 and was wondering what you guys are using as tie downs for it(assuming it's still in the stock position)? My stock tiedown is too tall. I either need a piece of wood under it or something. Just wanted to see what you guys were doing. Thanks
RotorKopf

 

That's odd, mine fits fine, but I don't have the stock tie dowm bar. A wood shil should work fine, just don't use bungee cords, lol.

 

Bungee cords have actually come accross my mind and I laugh everytime LOL. What kind of tie down do you use? I should be able to find some wood at work but I'd like to replace the tie down if possible because mine is getting rusted and what not

 

I misplaced mine when the car was apart and didn't find the part that hooks to the rad shroud, so I have 2 long hook rods and the stock cross piece. You can find a universal one at the parts store that has an adjustable plastic cross piece, that or BD sells one.

 

Universal kit for now...

 

Dont laugh at my bungee cords! They hold half the car together

 

What's wrong with bungee cords ... I've got 2 holding mine because everytime i go to car parts place i keep on forgetting to grab one ...

 

The battery should come with a plastic spacer to lift it.

 

metal aftermarket tie down from auto parts store..have to cut studs though so they dont hit the hood.

 

As jeff says it comes with a spacer just for that reason, at least both of mine did.... I have mine back in the bin area, so I can't comment on how it fits in the stock location...

 

I used a rubber strap with new long bolts, it was a kit at kragen for under $15..the original tie downs wouldn't work on mine either, the battery would come loose after a few drives

 

All three Optimas I've bought did not come with a spacer and the spacer from another battery had its 'hooks' in the wrong place so it couldn't actually grip the bottom of the Optima battery.

This is an Optima battery thread, after all...if someone has a spacer working underneath their Optima right now, please post the close-ups...

 

That is what I used to install my blue top Optima battery. I had to cut the plastic spacer to get it to fit in the stock battery tray location.

 

I would need a spacer for the top as my link wire would ground on the hood if the battery was any higher. I could try cutting the top piece the Optima came with to fit the top with posts connected

 

I use 3 bungee cords till I relocate it.

 

I'm going to relocate as well. The only reason I even bought an optima red. But, mine does have the spacer/carrier that came with it and no hood issues.

 

I had to fab my link cable when I replaced and have big brass ends on it so to fit it on the end it sticks up. Eventually I will relocate it to the bins as well

 

costco sized zip tie!! woot

 

topped w/block of wood here too. tho a nice piece of billet aluminum would be sweet-
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Hell, just use treated wood and spray it with aluminum colored paint.

 

Remanufactured Optima's are a hit and miss on that but new ones will have them. The last two had the spacers and I use the factory battery hold down now. The reman Optima I got from "Hollywood" just died last week....mind you, it wasn't new. Cal had written the date of sale on the top of the battery from when I bought it.....October of 2003.

 

I use a block of wood and it works very well

 

I also use a block of wood under the battery and the stock tie downs.

 

I have the spacer thing, if you need it PM me.

That said I'm on my third Red top under warranty for my truck. Crap IMO.

Went w/ a Big walmrt job for the 7. Was flipping the Optima back & forth till I got the 7 right.


Edit... Just noticed this is a really old thread.

 

I lost my origional battery hold down and bought one for an FD, which works fine