replace battery cables?

Anyone ever done it? How'd you do it?
Specifically the end clamp.
I've seen them at auto parts stores so many any will work.

I'm guessing stock looks like this, but my right/negative end looks more like the left one, and on top of that, is so bent in at the tabs that the nut holding it can't be grabbed. For some reason it's 13mm and not 10mm. And basically to tighten it, the nut is so gouged into the metal on one side that I can't fit anything over top of it. Not a wrench or pliers.
As a result, I can only get it so tight. And it's had a history of popping off while off roading.
Not sure if the previous owner replaced it due to corrosion (unlikely given the truck is from a dry state) or that they changed it to fit the previous aftermarket garbage battery.

Anyone else ever dealt with similar before?

 

I put military terminals on

 

These things are junk. They say right on the package "emergency battery terminal". It absolutely floors me when I'm watching Mecum auto auction on TV and there's a $70K muscle car with 1 of these on it.

 

Pick your poison.

I have the SDHQ set in my Tacoma.
https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/sdhq-built-billet-battery-terminal-upgrade-kit

I have these in my 3rd gen T4R.

$33 Fastronix Military Spec Battery Terminal Top Post Kit

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X36RILW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

wow never knew that SDHQ product existed
both options look like a good choice

 

You can start here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-box-battery-wire-replacement-upgrade.420450/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/battery-terminal-wire-gauge-sizes.647694/

But if you only want to replace the battery terminal you can go to Remy Battery website and get a Compression Lug battery terminal. If you plan to add accessories in future, then go for a Military style terminal and get a compression style lug or find someone with a lug crimper that can handle the larger size cables. Alternately get new cables made to length here or at any number of other places who will make cables with whatever type end you want.
https://www.batterycablesusa.com/

 

I use this for all of my cable crimping and it’s amazing

$17 TEMCo Hammer Lug Crimper Tool - Crimps 8 AWG to 4/0 Battery & Welding Cables (Workbench-Mountable)

https://www.amazon.com/TEMCo-Hammer...ttery+terminal+crimper&qid=1612133909&sr=8-11

 

Not real good on lead.

 

Your option don't like the terminal replace the entire cable or use a terminal that's been around for decades getting trucks started world wide.

 

I'm in agreement with this opinion. I never use them, when I see them, I always advise they're not good and are prone to failure. Most, the 2 bolt metal tab is bent and the cable is in but loose.

Those sdhq things are nice. I use a hammer indent crimper most of the time. Sometimes getting the end on a surface to hammer is too much trouble, then I use a theraded crimper. Same as the hammer one except you tighten a big stud to smash the terminal.

My el camino had #4 cables, what a joke. When I did the starter I swapped it all to #0000, and special ordered crimp on terminals.

Whatever option you decide to go with, brush your posts and new terminals with a battery brush. It's also a good idea to spray protector. In the past, I used motorcycle chain lube. It's oily and very sticky. There's differing opinions on this. Some insist using nothing is best. Some cover everything with grease. Some use the round felt pads...

 

I use these, been install for almost 10 years and hold up great. A little dialectic grease goes a long way to prevent corrosion

https://www.vtewarehouse.com/content/electromech/BatteryTerminals/html/3534_35.php#

 

WWWHHHHHAAAATTTT the heck is all that stuff? I thought we were talking battery terminals.

 

the question was on battery cables, namely the connectors. The terminals are part of the battery itself and are standard designs whether top or side.

 

I cut the hoop for the - battery terminal off and ground the raised lip down until what was left was just a lug terminal with the bolt hole. Then mounted an exscorpion 3-position terminal clamp and used one of the spots for the reshaped ground lug.

 

I had to double take that pic too. First I was thinking I’ve never seen a single battery with 4 posts. Then you can see it’s 2 yellow tops. It’s gotta be for something other than cranking.

 

No doubt it's very professional looking. Maybe part 12V & part 24V. The black motor looking thing looks like it has a pos. from each individual batt. connected to separate lugs.... For me very interesting, and looks like a really nice job, congrats.

 

I have to say I don't understand this. I have been working on my own cars since 1970 and have never, ever replaced the battery wiring/terminals except one time when the neg ground started to fray at the frame connection.

 

well, newer cars skimp on copper as it’s one of the easier ways to get away with saving a fair amount of coin. Batteries are cheaper, wiring is as thin of gauge as they can make it, no margin built into the design for adding aftermarket electrical accessories, and the cheapest connections are used only enough to get them through the warranty stage. Times have changed for the worse unfortunately.

 

Big 3 wiring upgrade is the first mod listed in second gen tips and tricks. If you go beyond stock you need to look at what limits the stock equipment. It not a necessity for most since the stock cables are adequate but that’s all they are.

 

I have these kicker battery terminals on the negative side it works well. The factory positive is easy to add more wires. If I ever need to replace it I would replace it with another kicker terminal.