Dual battery?
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6
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From: Cincinnati, O.
I have not been able to find one for a Dakota. I have seen others but I’d like to see one in a Dakota already done so I’m not drilling a bunch of holes if there is an easier place to put the second. I been kicking around the idea of putting a second alt and or a second ac compressor but that’s a bit of work and research to figure out the best mounting positioning.
Legend
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,058
Likes: 183
From: Fort Worth, TX
Put the second one in the bed, it's really your only feasable option unless you want to be crawling under the truck.
Use 2 gauge wire at the minimum. Some people like to use 1/0 for good margin, I'm having no issues using #2 in my truck.
Use marine or box connectors when going through sheet metal. I used these ->
Solder any connections that you can. As mentioned, use a fuse so that if something happens, you're covered. I have a 200 amp fuse on my alternator lead, my battery primary is not fused BUT it does not come in contact with anything metal at any point. I have it double-loomed where it does pass through. With a secondary battery, any tiny voltage loss in the fuse isn't such an issue since you're not drawing the full 150 cranking amps through that battery. With a primary, the voltage loss is noticeable.
Use 2 gauge wire at the minimum. Some people like to use 1/0 for good margin, I'm having no issues using #2 in my truck.
Use marine or box connectors when going through sheet metal. I used these ->
Solder any connections that you can. As mentioned, use a fuse so that if something happens, you're covered. I have a 200 amp fuse on my alternator lead, my battery primary is not fused BUT it does not come in contact with anything metal at any point. I have it double-loomed where it does pass through. With a secondary battery, any tiny voltage loss in the fuse isn't such an issue since you're not drawing the full 150 cranking amps through that battery. With a primary, the voltage loss is noticeable.
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, O.
I was hoping to put it in engine compartment the previous owner removed the air box and put old skewl air filter on top of engine. I was thinking I could use that space for the secondary battery. But then I also have a small air tank and compressor for a set of train horns I need to figure out. I could mount the compressor under the bed and put the horns back there as well since I won’t be using the full spare.
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Legend
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,058
Likes: 183
From: Fort Worth, TX
There is a surprising amount of room in the rear wheel wells under the bed floor. Driver forward is occupied by the gas filler, but the other 3 are wide open. I moved the charcoal canister to behind the driver rear tire, exhaust dumps in front of the passenger rear tire, and air compressor system is going in the right rear corner. Primary battery is in passenger front corner of bed. When I add a second battery, it will be in driver front corner of bed.
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,923
Likes: 19
From: NM
I don't know how the 2nd gens are laid out, but on my 1st gen, the stock battery tray is on the driver side. I got one from the junkyard and modified it and my passenger fender to mount it up. The stock battery box mounts to the inner fender and has a bracket that goes to the frame.
qaOCnqy.jpg
At first, I mounted the 2nd battery under the bed on the passenger side, but I didn't like it being somewhat inaccessible. LOL, now looking back that brace I used was too close to the battery post.
N2WqdMm.jpg
qaOCnqy.jpg
At first, I mounted the 2nd battery under the bed on the passenger side, but I didn't like it being somewhat inaccessible. LOL, now looking back that brace I used was too close to the battery post.
N2WqdMm.jpg
