Power steering reservoir relocate for dual battery .

I have been planning a dual battery install for some time now. I really don't like stuffing two batteries in the stock location, tight to the headlight socket, and adding even more weight to the drivers side.

Outback proven was importing a kit from piranha off road in Oz that relocated the PS reservoir so the aux battery can go on the drivers side beside the washer fluid reservoir.

Outback proven has since gone out of business and the kits went with them. piranha is no longer producing them.

Did some searching here with no luck. But I found a thread in an FJ forum. They have a similar setup, the Tacoma is actually easier.

Parts required:

-4' of 3/8 id fuel hose
-4' of 5/8 id fuel hose
- 2 hose clamps for each size
- dextron type ATF fluid

-10mm,12mm sockets/wrenches
- flathead screwdriver

remove the reservoir from its current mount using a flathead screwdriver on the vertical part of the mount.
(Sorry no pic)

remove 3 bolts from mount bracket with 10mm socket
Leave the reservoir there and check the fit of the bracket between the abs and air box mount


The bracket will fit between these two mounts, one leg just needs to be adjusted a little further towards the abs mount. I used a small vice to change the bends.

Once you remove the rubber spacers from the reservoir bracket its fits perfectly between the stud and threaded insert.

Next I pulled the skid plate to get access to the hoses from underneath. First I removed the 5/8 hose and let it drain into a pan. Still made a mess because there isn't a direct route from the hose to the drain pan.
Install the new hose and tighten the clamp. Repeat the same steps with the 3/8 hose so you have two new hoses routed up between the AC lines

Next I removed the air intake hose to get better access to the reservoir hose barbs.
Cut the hoses to length, re install the reservoir and tighten the hose clamps.

I chose to insulate the hoses wherever they made contact with the AC lines by splitting a piece of extra hose, sliding it over top and zap strapping in place to reduce movement and rubbing.
Re install the air box hose and it's almost finished.

Bleed the system by jacking the front of the truck up, fill to the cold max and start the engine.
The pump will draw in the fluid it needs, fill it up again and start turning the wheels lock to lock. Once the fluid stops dropping the system is bled. Top up fluid and you are finished.


I now have room for a Group 24 auxiliary battery in balanced location.

I will be installing a blue sea ml ACR soon.

 

I have the same type component arrangement on the passenger side as your truck. I found it easier to leave the PS reservoir alone and relocate the air duct instead using a 4-inch Spectre hose #9751.

 

Bent up my battery tray from some heavy gauge steel stud at work.

Got that mounted where the PS reservoir was. With a shoehorn and some choice words, I got the battery in there

Pick up my blue sea ml ACR tomorrow, then i can start to wire it up.

 

Did adding the battery help with "Taco Lean"?

 

Nice job...subd for later reference.

 

sub'd

 

Been looking for something on this. Thanks for the write up!

Any chance you would be willing to share the dimensions on your battery tray?

 

Great write up, followed these steps and Just finished up my PS relocate and was able to stuff a Group 34 battery in the same location its tight and a hold down is not needed but i will run one for safety. better than buying another smaller battery

 

I know this is an old thread but I was wondering if anybody makes a bracket for this spot? I have the same problem, the ABS is in the way preventing me from buying any available brackets. Are you willing to make copies of your bracket to sell?

 

I used the existing power steering bracket to mount between the abs and air intake. it just required a little bit of bending of the bracketry

 

I'm about to do this to fit an ARB 1lb tank in this location.

 

Got it in there. Just need to run my air lines.