Replacing Battery... Simple, until it's not.

Hey, all.
I just got a new battery. Size 27F like the old one that was in the truck. Took the old one out. No issues. Put the new one in, and when I went to put the bracket back on it was a struggle to mount it back on the battery. I took out my tape measure to see if the batteries were the same size and it looks like the new one is an 8th of an inch taller than the old one... It's driving my OCD crazy lol. I got the bracket back on there, but I kind of had to force it into place... y'all think I'll be alright or have any recommendations for me? Thanks.

 

Isn't the oem bracket adjustable for height?

 

an 1/8" is nothing to worry about. It's fine. What brand is the old vs new?

 

Mine is, I'm assuming it's the oem part that came with the truck. I bought my truck used though so I'm not positive. I had to loosen the nut to it's maximum height to get it to fit over the battery and into the two holes that the bracket grabs on to.

 

As long as the nut on the tie down bracket engages enough threads I think you will be ok

 

Sandman, the old one was Duralast Gold. The new one is Napa Legend.

 

Are you sure it was a 27f you took out? There is an option for group 24 and I believe that one uses a spacer. Check and see if you have a spacer under your 27f.

 

I replaced my battery with an OEM from the dealer. It is a quarter inch taller than the original. Since my tie-down is only adjustable on the front side there was no way it would work. I tried talking to my dealer parts department if only to make it better for the next guy - to no avail. I got a set of J- bolts from Napa and drilled out the rear fixed J-bolt from the OE tie-down. Now both sides are adjustable and my new battery is in and is solid. Best thing is I will be good to go with any slightly different dimensions on future batteries. Cost = 10 bucks and a half hour of my time.

 

There are variances between various manufacturers' batteries of a given model (e.g., 27F). My Northstar AGM27F was a bit taller than the OEM (Toyota) 27F I had. I solved the problem with Coupe's TRD Battery Hold Down, which included longer threaded rods to accommodate taller batteries.

 

That is genius.

 

He fabricated those himself? They look awesome.

I think I'll be alright. I don't think my battery is going anywhere. I wrenched the nut down pretty tight. I was mainly curious (and frustrated) about why I was having an issue with getting the bracket back on the battery.

 

I can't speak for him, but I'm pretty sure the answer is yes. TW has a lot of talented and industrious members! I'm biased, but I agree - I think they look great.

You should be fine. FWIW, you're in good company - I suffered the same confusion and frustration when I couldn't reinstall the OEM battery bracket over the Northstar battery (including its handle).

 

@Norton Yeah, dude, I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, and my truck is my daily driver, so I leave most repairs to my mechanic (thankfully I found a good one). But oil changes, light bulbs, battery replacement, stuff like that I try to do myself to save some cash. But I'm sitting there sweating and cursing under my breath (I'm in Florida and it was hot today lol) trying to figure out how I screwed up what's essentially a 3 step process lol. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

 

had the same problem with replacing the 27F battery in my truck. A bunch of gentle persuasion to the j bolts AND the top bracket and eventually got it all back together.