Improvised Battery Tie Down.

I think it cost me about $5 to make?!!

Dude, I love that. I am so going to steal it. I'd cut off the pointy end, though, just to make it neater and avoid snags.

how is it attached on the back side ?

The hinged side is bolted to the firewall (cowl box).

If I get a metal blade for my jig saw, I'll probably cut it down too. Not trying to hack that by hand!

Nice... That will hold it...

Nice work; I think I'll use this on my truck.

I'm going to use this as a suggestion for those dudes that use bungee cords.

Bungee cords? Now there's an idea!

Pure genius! This should be called the Wile E. Coyote forum! Seriously though, I am going to do this on my '96 Legacy...

I passed tech inspection at the Challenge using zip ties. Yes, he saw them.

But I like the hinge better.

as an a-x tech (local/regional only) I'll pass a zip tied hold down (depending on the size of the zip ties) but don't bring any bungee cord tie downs to me … I've passed ratchet strap tie downs … but still no bungee cords

In reply to wbjones:

I honestly didn't have a problem with it.

Besides, it was a Miata with the battery in the factory position (trunk). There's a complete metal separation from the trunk, so it's pretty hard to hit the driver with an airborne battery.

but if the pos. post isn't covered it can short out, if bounced around, which tends to act like a welder … and/or start a fire … which is the reason we don't allow bungee cords (even in the Miata trunk mount)

if the bat.box were totally lined with plastic, the owner could make a case for bungee cords … don't know how I or our chief of tech would react … but a totally closed plastic battery box … securely fashioned top included, might get by

That'a my issue with the hinge setup...you are relying on downward pressure alone to keep the battery in place, and should the retaining bolt loosen it can slide and make contact with the metal of the hinge. I would want the hinge dipped in plastic or wrapped in electrical tape to insulate it and help provide some grip to prevent sliding laterally.

Idea isn't bad at all, but I think you can shorten up a bit the tip for safety purpose.

That's brilliant! I'm going to borrow that idea to assist in the battery relocation project on my c900. I will also plastidip mine.

welll....no E36 M3, I'm actually impressed with this.

Heh--mine's very similar. Two rods of allthread and one piece of metal in between. The hinge is pretty clever, though!

I can sort of see mine up at the top right of the engine bay here: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/zxnotj6axjj1j5hpvjon.jpg

Here is my version. I started with a strap hinge and cut several inches off the end that got bolted to the firewall. I found that the hinge on the strap hinge was a lot narrower and not as bulky as the style of hinge the OP used.

I used allthread at the other end and cut a slot for it instead of a hole. That way I can double nut the allthread in place and bring the hinge down to it.

Next time I have the battery out I might narrow the top piece and make it more straight instead of triangular. That would give me more clearance for the battery posts.

I used a nyloc nut instead of a wing nut. I just hate wing nuts-- that's how my last battery hold down got lost!