2016+ Dual Battery Question (Placement)

I've tried searching but haven't really found any answers.

Basically, I am going to run a dual battery setup but don't want both batteries side by side like some of the setups I've seen. I'd rather run the house battery on the opposite side of the vehicle for weight distribution.

I have a 2016 TRD Sport and it looks like there is something in both of the cavities on either side of the airbox. I looked real quick the other morning and it looks like there is a power steering reservoir on one side and either an ABS or A/C component on the other.

So, are either of these two components easily movable? Has anyone crammed a battery in one of those places that can offer some guidance? I no longer have my welder or my garage so custom fabricating a new bracket is no longer an option for me. I looked into one of the manufactures that makes a battery tray for the passenger side of the Tacoma but they didn't mention anything about relocating under hood components to fit the box and I haven't had any time to call them yet.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated as I really don't want the second battery in the cab or in the bed. If nothing works, I think I'm putting in the cab though.

 

Take a look at this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/off-grid-engineering-dual-battery-trays-wiring-kits.420680/

 

Yea, that's the company I'm going to call. It appears the TRD sport and the OR are different in what they place in the cavity behind the airbox. Just about everyone that posted in that thread has a Gen 3 TRD OR and nothing was mentioned about relocating the ABS module.

 

Looks like no one makes a passenger side battery tray for the TRD SPORT as the ABS module fills the cavity where the battery normally sits. So, your options are bed/cab mount or side by side. I went with the side by side from Off Grid Engineering mainly because Matt over there was extremely helpful. Can't wait for his battery tray to arrive to hook up my dual battery system.

 

Thanks for the good word Chris! Im working on getting your tray cut out tomorrow. Expect to see it by the end of the week!

 

Awesome. Thanks again.

 

Did you get the tray installed? Do you have any pics of it? I'm in the exact same boat right now - debating on if I find a solution for the engine bay or run it to the bed.

Thanks!

 

I did most of the work this weekend. It's a great kit, very clean. I was planning on using my stock battery as the start battery and the optima yellow top as my aux. But, the two different sizes didn't work together and I ended up getting a red top for my start battery. See pics below, I think it ended up very clean. Also attached is a pic of the voltmeters I installed in the overhead console. Start battery is wired to turn on when the key is on and the aux meter is activated by the switch to the right. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

That is perfect, thanks a ton! Nice install also, very clean - good work!

 

Thank you. Good luck with your install. Can't wait to test out the kit in the next few weeks in the backcountry.

 

Thanks, hopefully it performs flawlessly. One more question if you don't mind...what size optimas did you use to fit in that spot?

 

The yellow top is a group 35. I think the red is a group 34 maybe? I basically had to buy whatever autozone had and found the closest in size to the 35 yellow top I already had. I was impatient and wanted the project done that day. I guess I was lucky they had that red top in stock. I get pro deals on optimas but didn't feel like waiting a week for it to be delivered.

 

I feel you, I am the same way haha. Appreciate it!

 

Anytime