tried searching on this but didnt have the best of luck. I was curious what size wire to run, and if i run an xtra postive wire as well to the fuse box or splice in somewhere or ??? im going to put it in the front middle part of my bed since i havent found a better place yet and have to throw my quad in the back still...(gotta fab up some inner fender wells)

 

Here ya go . . .

First let me start out by saying its always better to run a larger wire than a smaller wire, ground wires should match power cabling, especially with car audio or supply voltage. Most Toyota's use a 6 gauge or 8 gauge respectively for grounds / leads. Depending on your total length, your cabling size should increase to account for voltage losses. I personally wouldn't run anythign larger than 4 gauge for any bed battery relocation, and my first choice would be, install 4 gauge cabling and grounds. You can always run extra wiring to increase capacities, but, I would recommend using 1 cable only, less wires / less confusion / less congestion. In your case . . . I would - (1) install an upgraded and additional alternator supply wire of 4 gauge ( if its a stock alternator or an h.o. up to 120 amps ) and leave the stock charging wire intact, you can combine these two wire and have only one, just make sure you account for the charging dummy light. (2) Upgrade starter cable to 4 gauge (3) Upgrade stock fuseblock wiring to 4 gauge (4) Improve chassis to ground and chassis to engine block to equal 4 gauge wiring (5) Only use the best copper or platinum connectors. (6) If you want or plan to : Install the battery in a battery box to protect it from the elements and your quad. I have also included a excellent link that I use for all my wiring installs. this site has a voltage calculator that can help you account for ( voltage loss ). It also, has a killer chart for checking awg size voltage capacties and such. Check it out, youll like it ! P.M. or post in forum if you need further help.

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

L o w N l o u d

 

Use 0 or 1 Ga. wire, on both the positive & negative cables, & run a ground straight to the engine block . I ran from the battery to the frame & from there to the engine block. I used a distribution box in the engine bay from the battery & to the engine fuse box,starter,etc. I also put a shut off key @ the battery box inline so can shut all current off there!

 

I made this with the help of lownloud.

 

Im doing a write up on this for yotascene.com right now & will take pics of all the stuff I used as well for the install. Ill try to have it all up by tomorrow cause Ive seen alot of people asking about this!

 

thanks . . .

Thanks for the props man ! ! !

L o w N l o u d

 

I made a battery box and welded it to the frame behind the cab. I'll take some pics and send them.

 

thanks for all the replys guys! I priced out wire and a local ace hardware and for 2 gauge they want 5.50 a foot! is it always that much?

 

w o w . . .

Holy cow, thats spendy, but lets consider the fact theat copper prices have jumped hella crazy. I purchased my 0 gauge for $ 2.55 a foot on sale usually its $ 2.99 to $ 3.99. Of course this is stranded cabling. I would keep searching around if I were u !

L o w N l o u d

 

With the copper price jump,I'm sure the wire (cable ) price is up. But use a welding ground cable as it is less money (or was) than a battery cable of the same Ga.. Also more flexible! Just make sure to mark the positive cable with red tape.paint,shrink wrap or other!!

 

i called some welding supply stores. cheapest i found was 2.39 ft ! thats more like it. Is it necessary to run 2 guage wire to the alternator and to the fuse box? cant i just run 2 guage from the battery box up to a junction block under the hood and then like a 4 guage to the fuse box and and alternator?

 

Here is the thread on yotascene.com that I wrote up on how to relocate your battery to the bed on your Toyota truck!! Donny

http://yotascene.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3352

 

all good . . .

Very nice write up, I looked it over and it looks all good from here, I didnt see the wire loom installed, but, I did read the whole forum / post. So, with that considered ! I think this is a nice, easy, well thought out design. Great Job !

L o w N l o u d

 

Yea...I was running around doing so much stuff that I forgot to take pics of the wireloom & grommet installed lol. I tried to make it as simple as possible & the next time I do any type of install Ill take pics of everything.

 

Just some extra help...

 

nice write up! good info thanks

 

Anyone know what the little black box with a + on it that is on the driver side inner fender well and has wires running to the alternator is for? do i leave that when running my new cable to the alternator?

 

Ill answer . . .

Post up a few pictures and Ill taka look, Im sure its just a relay, but to be sure, post up a picture.

L o w N l o u d

 

im stupid when it comes to posting pics...ill have to wait for my wife to help me out. I forgot to mention my truck is a 91. dont know if that matters..That little box is hooked into the harness as well.

 

finally got the time to do this. my only question is would it be necessary to put a inline fuse from the battery to the alternator?