We just had to replace the battery on the Caravan we just bought, swapped it out of the Taurus, both are group 58 batteries, but it wont fit into the hold-down tray.
I had to trim some of the plastic housing on one side of the battery, like a 1/4 inch, then had to bend the metal bracket on the other side of the battery, when I was done I realized it isn't being held down securely.
I went to Home Depot today and bought some hold-down straps to hold it in place. Has anybody eles had a problem getting a battery to fit in the stock tray?
Thanks
six pack
11-13-2004, 09:44 PM
I don't think the van is a group 58.
I am positive it a group 34/78
Dave C
11-14-2004, 04:35 PM
" had to replace the battery on the Caravan we just bought, swapped it out of the Taurus, but it wont fit into the hold-down tray.
I had to trim some of the plastic housing on one side of the battery, like a 1/4 inch, then had to bend the metal bracket on the other side of the battery, when I was done I realized it isn't being held down securely.
Why on earth would you do that ? ...
"Newsflash" You can go to any Battery dealer, and they will either sell you the proper Battery, or tell you the proper type to use...
SHEESH.... :huh:
vipergg
11-15-2004, 07:09 PM
Six pack is correct it is a group 34 , looked it up at Advance auto and is why it wouldn't fit correctly .
Dave C
11-15-2004, 07:33 PM
Six pack is correct it is a group 34 , looked it up at Advance auto and is why it wouldn't fit correctly .
I concur...Just checked my new Battery which was installed by dealer. :cool:
DANVAN
11-16-2004, 04:11 PM
Thanks Six Pack and Vipergg, its odd that a group 58 was in there, its the same size demention wise as the 58 that was in the Taurus, the taurus battery had 40 more amps, other then that and the ridge at the bottom of the battery, it all looked the same. The dead caravan battery fit right into the taurus with no difficulty.
I can only assume that the orig owner of the caravan maybe switched out this battery at some time.
Im gonna go Sams, where I bought my last couple of batteries, I need to see their book and to what the differance is between a 58 and a 34. Its secured down now with a hold down strap, not moving a bit. If a 34 is differant I guess I will buy the proper one.
Dave c, it was 8pm at night, the battery was dead, my wife had come home from the DMV and had switched her plates from the car to the van, she needed it the next morning, I wasnt going to jump it and send her on her way hoping it would start for her at the end of her work day, I needed to get a good battery in there.
Dave C
11-16-2004, 05:26 PM
Dave c, it was 8pm at night, the battery was dead, my wife had come home from the DMV and had switched her plates from the car to the van, she needed it the next morning, I wasnt going to jump it and send her on her way hoping it would start for her at the end of her work day, I needed to get a good battery in there.[/QUOTE]
No offence meant here, sorry if you took it... I just couldn't understand why you'd start butchering a nice Van right off... :rck:
