My Willys 3A and 3B Community
3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: Chuck W. on April 11, 2020, 10:49:36 PM
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Still working on my 1964 CJ3B restoration. I am looking for a period correct 12 volt battery. The hold-down bracket and J-bolts are missing on my jeep, but I see that Walck's has a reproduction hold-down bracket that matches the one shown in the photos of the 1963 "Showroom Original" CJ3B on the CJ3B page. Walck says the I.D. of the bracket is 10-7/16". The modern batteries that I have looked at all have molded brackets on the end for a carrying strap that would interfere with the hold-down bracket. I guess I need to take the hold-down bracket to the battery store and see what they can match it to? Thoughts? Thanks!
From Walck's On-line catalog:
(https://walcks4wd.com/assets/images/thumbnails/919824_thumbnail.jpg)
From the CJ3B page:
(https://www.cj3b.info/Photos/Owners/Charnok/AllenPhotos/CharnokEngineRight.JPG)
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Yeah it’s probably best to take your hold down bracket with you when buying a battery.
At times I have trimmed plastic off from the sides of batteries.
I usually opt for a group 24 or 24F.
If you want a lower profile you might like the group 34 or the 34R.
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Chuck,
That's exactly what I did: Took the hold down to the store. I wanted the older style and didn't have one. Found an after-market and had a shop cut it and expand it to fit the 12V case I wanted and to ensure I had clearance around the positive post.
As you can see, not all batteries will have the carry strap. Different brands do different things (sometimes within same brand different battery case). I used L bolts to secure to the tray.
http://www.batteryweb.com/bci.cfm
This helped me narrow down the size I wanted (but I still did the trial fit).
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Thanks for the thoughts. The battery that was in the jeep when I bought it is too small and does not fit the tray. There was no hold-down, so I built something to get by, plus it is a modern battery with the plastic strap handle. It would be great to find a battery that looks period correct for 1964, with individual cell caps and no handles. I, too, have cut the plastic handles off of a battery to make it fit, and that may be the route I have to go. I am going to have to find a better place to look other than the local auto parts stores.
I did find this that might be the answer:
(https://www.classicchevy.com/media/catalog/product/cache/e8278bb62b6191f0a2c63cf38a3ced70/1/2/57-170998-1.jpg)
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Just do a google search for Vintage look car Battery
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Yeah, those are all in the $350 -$400 range! I think I can simulate the effect for less money. Maybe this:
https://www.ebay.com/i/312735114902?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=312735114902&targetid=883441960689&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9012526&poi=&campaignid=9426387573&mkgroupid=96480184500&rlsatarget=pla-883441960689&abcId=1140476&merchantid=6296724&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrd-ygq7k6AIVgbbICh0x1AGuEAQYEiABEgLq3vD_BwE (https://www.ebay.com/i/312735114902?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=312735114902&targetid=883441960689&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9012526&poi=&campaignid=9426387573&mkgroupid=96480184500&rlsatarget=pla-883441960689&abcId=1140476&merchantid=6296724&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrd-ygq7k6AIVgbbICh0x1AGuEAQYEiABEgLq3vD_BwE)