buzzboy
New Reader
4/17/17 7:34 p.m.
I drive a BMW 318ti, with a few extra cylinders and 100 extra horsepower. When the previous owner did the swap they moved the battery to the trunk to make room for everything under the hood. The battery went into the tray where the tool kit would reside normally. The issue is that it sticks up higher than the tool kit would have so the factory cover won't fit. I'd like to have a cover for the battery for transporting stuff in my trunk that I can open to get to the battery. I have no idea what I should do here. It would need to be sorta strong because I like to carry heavy stuff in the trunk, engines and the like.
Does GRM have any ideas?
Robbie
UberDork
4/17/17 7:45 p.m.
Get a small, lightweight battery?
D2W
Reader
4/17/17 7:54 p.m.
Is there room to lower the battery some more?
mndsm
MegaDork
4/17/17 7:57 p.m.
Hollow out a ammo can, tip it on its side, and hinge it so it's a cover.
It'd be pretty easy to make a fiberglass cover for it. Easy to make it plenty strong enough, screw some small aluminum angles to the cover to keep it locked in the edges of the box, glue some carpet to it and you're done.
Shorter battery? Have metal working skill? A box lid using angle as the frame with a plate over the top made from something like diamond plate? Or wood plank 1/4" or thicker? Box lid made from wood, maybe 2X4 or 2X2 frame w/1/4" or thicker plywood? The photo doesn't really show how high it would have to be to clear the battery. Hard part would be to secure the top to the trunk floor. Flange using screws? Might need a small vent for the battery unless the battery is already vented out.
Plus
But the real question is do you have your NHRA required cut off switch?
buzzboy
New Reader
4/17/17 8:13 p.m.
A metal or fiberglass cover would work well, but I'm not sure how I would attach it to the floor. Studs would be easy but would protrude into the trunk area and leave lumps under the carpet. A hinge would be the next easiest but I'm not sure how it would latch.
mndsm
MegaDork
4/17/17 8:14 p.m.
In reply to buzzboy:
Offset latches on either side, flat hood pin style.
the spare to the 318ti attaches to the underside of the car. As that battery sits now, do you still have access to the mount that holds it in place?
Personally, I would go with a lightweight brail or odyessy. I ran a lightweight hawker odyssey PC680 in my old ti. This slim battery can be laid down on it's side and maybe be about 5 inches in height?
buzzboy
New Reader
4/18/17 7:56 a.m.
The spare tire mount is gone. The battery box was installed right where the spare tire mount was.
I realize I could go to a smaller battery. I just like using cheap batteries that I can replace from any autoparts store.
Make a cover that sticks up a bit but also retains a spare tire up against the right shock tower?
In reply to Stampie:
I concur. Re-relocating seems in order. LOL
buzzboy
New Reader
4/18/17 11:35 a.m.
The issue still is covering the hole in the floor. Unless I can find somebody selling that part of a 318ti trunk trim.