ctp

Hi,

Dealer told the battery charge is running low and wanted $210 for changing it. Since I had very good experience with Optima on my WRX before, so decided to replace with the Optima myself.

The battery comes with a base to make the battery same height as the OEM one. The only problem is the holding bracket on top is so much wider than the Optima battery.
Attached the picture for your reference
Anyone know if there is another holding bracket I can use or some spacer I can buy?

*The battery is Group D35 which is the correct model as specified on Optima website.

F250

Looks to me like you could get a 1-1/2"x1-1/2" piece of heavy aluminum angle at Home Depot, cut it to about 4" in length with a hacksaw (should be able to buy a 12" long piece), and simply place it on top under the OEM bracket right at the edge of the battery and then tighten down the OEM clamp with the OEM hold down bolts. The thickness of the angle spacer will fit between the front lip of the existing angle on the OEM bracket and should stay in place well with just the hold down pressure. You could, though, also use a little JB Weld to fix the new angle spacer onto the OEM bracket if you have any worries about it vibrating loose over time.

ArmyofOne

You got me buddy. I have never used a tie down on an optima battery (they are HEAVY...much heavier than a standard battery). But I would think if you just bolt it down where it is, it will still do the job of holding it in place.

Odd that the bracket doesn't fit. Maybe contact optima and see if they have one that will?

vlad_a

When I had put Optima Yellow Top in my IS300, I made a spacer out of wooden board I had laying around.