Maya Hunter setup question

Ok so i've been doing alot of research about where to stick a second battery for a dual battery setup, and someone sent me a link about this Maya Hunter Tacoma which has a really freaking awesome battery setup. I was wondering, has anyone (other than the professionals who did the maya hunter) actually accomplished something like this? Getting two optimas to fit in the stock battery location. I'll post a link to the article for those who arent familiar with it. I liked it all until I got to the spot where they say "A few stout, well-directed hits with a hammer flattened out a small hump on the inner fender allowing the new battery tray to lay flat". They used two yellow-top D34s. I'm ok with that, but I dont have the tools to fabricate a tray like they did...and I dont know comfortable I feel about placing "a few stout, well-directed hits". I wouldnt mind that happening, but I have doubts in my skills...so anyway, has anyone attempted this, or found a better way to mount to batteries in the stock location? Thanks!

 

The link for the Maya Hunter is:

http://www.oramagazine.com/pastIssues/0503-issue/050301t-maya-hunter.html

 

...has no-one successfully popped in two batteries in the stock location?...

Looks like I'll have to be the first...once I figure it all out...if I do, i'll post lots of pics

 

Looks like they did a outstanding job

 

They really did, and I would LOVE to do that to mine...I'm just curious if anyone has experience as an 'average' mod'er doing this. As far as wiring it's not bad at all. I'm worried about having to fabricate a battery tray for them and whatever they were talking about flatting out a hump near the wheel well so they sit flat...

 

Im going to try it, did they move the fuse box

 

No, they got two D34/78 yellow top optimas that just fit in the stock space. The only two issues I'm going to have is hammering out the 'hump' which doesn't seem as bad as I originially thought, and fabricating a battery tray, thats the part that I'm not sure how I'm going to tackle as I have no welding tools etc...

If you can make a box, and get it to work for yours, would you be willing to make one for me if I pay you for material, time, labor, and profit? Thanks a million, let me know how it goes for you, i really want to do this, it looks super nice.

 

Soooooo I just found out my company has 15 welders on the full time employees...Just made a few new friends today ^_^ As soon as I get this thing going...I'll try and take as many pictures as possible...It won't look as nice as the maya hunter, but It will look semi stock and definately be functional. Does anyone know where I can buy those nice battery cables with terminal connectors and covers?

 

Found this dual optima battery box online, anyone think this might work to copy the maya hunter build? It looks like it should...

http://www.ultimatejeepstore.com/products/Optima-Battery-Box,-Dual,-Widthwise.html

 

Bought it, once it comes, I'll try and mount it in the stock position. I'll post pictures!

 

not a bad price

 

The battery tray finally came...its heavy as crap, but very stable. I put the batteries in, to see how they fit, and they weren't as close together as I would have liked, it will be a very tight fit, if it fits. I went to take out the bolts on the top, and the one little f'r got stuck, and then stripped, so I had to cut the damn thing off...but that really wont be a problem because its over engineered. I litterally would be fine with just 3 bolts, no need for 6. I have contacted a company that makes custom optima battery trays though, to see if they can fabricate one that would space the batteries right next to each other to be sure this will fit. I'll keep you all posted!

 

Thanks for the tip. I was wondering about the extra weight. i just ordered 5100 billies for the front. think that will help at all? (i didnt order them for the purpose of running duel batteries...just to level out the truck) As far as engine parts, the only thing it will be close to touching is the radiator pipe hose thing. Once it's done raining, im checking to see how close the battery tray and batteries will be to it...I dont want to hit a hole, and have it jerk a bit to the left, and end up breaking anything...

 

looking forward to your set up. your new shocks will be nice but wont compensate for the added weight from this. you may want to get a 1/4" spacer to help with the lean.

a lot of people do this anyways to accomidate for the fuel tank and driver weight

 

Hm good to know. I'll definately look into that.

 

Also, to note, the dual battery tray from the link above, will not fit, at least not easily. I'd have to move the radiator pipe (which actually does look do-able...id just rather not if i can avoid it). I am waiting to hear back from the company that makes custom optima trays, I also told him if this works, they may be other people interested in it. I'll wait to hear back from him before I start to look into choping and re-welding this battery tray and perhaps slightly moving the radiator pipe/hose. The guy said he can definately fabricate a dual tray to my liking, i sent him pictures of the maya hunter build, explained it etc, so that way he has a better idea what I need. I'll post once I hear back from him!

 

Dang...found the perfect battery tray that will work, and the price wasnt to bad either! 79.95. Then as I was checking out, it all fell through. 120 bucks for shipping. Utah. I think not. Utah to PA can not be that much...and its parcel post, which is uber cheap. Back to the drawing board...hmmm...

 

the link to that website with the tray is
http://www.moab4x4outpost.com/servlet/the-92/Optima-Dual-Battery-Tray/Detail

 

Win! Some amazing person got back to me in another thread about that shipping issue...for whatever reason, they have a weird set up for their shipping. There is this 3 dollar map, and if you add it to your cart, its a dollar for shipping, which also carries over for the rest of your order. Basically, I'm looking at 4 dollars for shipping, with a map of Moab Utah Trails...which I probably wont ever use, but 4 dollars shipping ftw!

heres a link to that map thing, once it arrives, i'll get it set up and installed and take many pictures and post links where to buy it with instructions how to add it to your cart and such to make shipping not cost your right arm and left leg.

http://www.moab4x4outpost.com/servlet/the-100/Moab%2C-Utah-Backcountry-Trail/Detail

 

Any updates on that "perfect tray" ?