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How To Install A Top-Mount Battery Tray

Virginia Classic Mustang's Top-Mount Battery Tray Offers Relief For '65-'66 Mustangs With Specialized Battery Needs
By Jim Smart
Photography by Jim Smart
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Here's the PE-13 top-mount... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Here's the PE-13 top-mount battery tray kit from Virginia Classic Mustang-battery not included. Everything you need is here, including installation hardware. Virginia Classic Mustang also offers the AMK Products' kit, which is dead-on accurate to original equipment. The PE-13 kit is close to OEM in appearance, but cadmium-plated for corrosion resistance.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
The factory '65-'66 Mustang... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
The factory '65-'66 Mustang battery tray utilizes a screw-down clamp that retains the battery at a base lip. Nearly all lead-acid batteries had this lip until approximately 10 years ago. Only a few replacement batteries have it now. Unless you're concerned about originality, Virginia Classic Mustang has a solution with its top-mount battery tray for '65-'66 Mustangs.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
To access the battery-tray... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
To access the battery-tray mounting hardware, the right-side bumper bracket must be disconnected from the framerail. This moves the bumper bracket far enough from the frame-rail to access the bracket bolts, which are behind the bumper bracket. You need a 11/42-inch socket for this operation.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
This is the view from underneath.... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
This is the view from underneath. Two flange nuts retain the battery tray as shown. There are two different kinds of bolts: a carriage bolt and a conventional body bolt with a star washer.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Lift the battery tray out... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Lift the battery tray out like this, taking care not to damage the paint. If you have any corrosion or rust-through issues, now is the time to fix them. Virginia Classic Mustang can supply an inner fender apron if there are rust problems.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
We opted for the PE-13 kit... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
We opted for the PE-13 kit and wove in some improvements of our own. Large fender washers provide support and reduce the risk of corrosion underneath. A washer gives nuts and bolts a surface to bear against.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
This is the view from above:... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
This is the view from above: one carriage bolt and one conventional body bolt. Tighten the body bolt from above and the carriage bolt/nut from underneath. We suggest the use of 3M rope caulk between the battery tray and body for corrosion resistance.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Body bolts and tinnerman's... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Body bolts and tinnerman's nuts retain the battery tray at the framerail. Tinnerman's nuts clip to the battery tray support bracket.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Battery hold-down studs attach... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
Battery hold-down studs attach from the inside out or the outside in. The choice is yours. The trick is keeping them in place while you're installing the top mount.
Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
If you run out of threads... 
   
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Top Mount Battery Tray Photo
If you run out of threads due to battery height, use cadmium-plated flat washers beneath the nuts. Regardless, this is a good idea to protect the coating on the hold-down.
Optima Batteries
Dept. 5.0
(888) 867-8462

www.optimabatteries.com
Virginia Classic Mustang
P.O. Box 487
Broadway
VA  22815

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