Replacing Battery Terminals?

[JWA]

2005 E350 5.4 gas engine, van previously professionally outfitted with a wheelchair lift, not sure if these battery terminals are Ford items:





The positive terminal won't tighten down to the post, the attaching nuts as tight as they can be but it can still be twisted without a huge effort. There should be no movement at all.

I'm looking to replace at least the positive terminal with something robust, has similar multiple supplemental wiring connections directly to the battery and would have an insulator or cover of some type.

Any help or direction where to find something would be helpful. I've checked a few high powered car audio supplies and Blue Sea Systems but nothing pops out at me.

TIA!

[Scalf77]

I used this

It is the KnuKonceptz Bassik Positive Battery Terminal. I believe you can still find them on Amazon, although they are no longer prime vendors. These give you good options for attaching extra cable, especial if they already have terminals. They also make a negative terminal.

Their Ultimate Positive Battery Terminal also holds a variety of cable sizes by set screws and the optional ring terminal port. Access to the three set screws is from the bottom of the terminal. Each terminal accepts one each 1/0, 4 gauge and 8 gauge wire.


And then there is the old standby military style
such as Cllena Military Style Battery Terminal Top Kit


-greg

[JWA]

Thanks Greg!

I was looking at the KnuKonceptz offerings earlier today, was waiting to see what others have used in similar situations. I like the Bassik design as it allows different attachment methods. I'll have a total of 4 cables attaching to this terminal and according to KnuKonceptz the Bassik will handle up to five. Very cool indeed!

Just ordered the Bassik positive terminal straight off Amazon; $11.99 shipped to my PO Box---can't ask for anything more. They're also readily available through eBay for pretty much the same price and free shipping as well.

Once installed I'll take photos which might be helpful other's in the future!

[86Scotty]

@JWA, I'm pretty sure those are Ford originals in your first pic. I've seen the on many Fords anyway. I like the military style Greg linked. Great value and easy to add to. I don't ever keep a vehicle forever though.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

@JWA, I'm pretty sure those are Ford originals in your first pic. I've seen the on many Fords anyway. I like the military style Greg linked. Great value and easy to add to. I don't ever keep a vehicle forever though.

Could be on the OEM Scotty----my other two E-Series ('00 & '03) don't have that style. I like 'em but since the positive clamp I now have can't be tightened down enough it has to go.

[Czar308]

Originally Posted by JWA

Just ordered the Bassik positive terminal straight off Amazon; $11.99 shipped to my PO Box---can't ask for anything more. They're also readily available through eBay for pretty much the same price and free shipping as well.

Once installed I'll take photos which might be helpful other's in the future!

Subscribed. I would like to see how they turn out and how they configure. I'm looking at going to recessed top terminals on an AGM batteries from my standard top post terminal batteries. Kinda concerned about the clearance inside the frame mounted battery box on my 6.0 E350. The flexibility of the these terminals may redirect the factory cables, allowing for more clearance without kinking the cables and reduce fear of grounding out.

[JWA]

When mine arrive I'll minimally mock-up the positive terminal, perhaps showing a tape measure in the image. I'm loathe to change the OEM stuff if I don't have too however if my existing one can't be cleaned and properly tightened it will be changed.

I'll post photos one this new terminal arrives---I really, really like the insulation cover and flexibility it offers.

[boywonder]

Those look like the stock ones on my 2008...and my positive terminal wouldn't tighten much either..replaced it with something from Ebay...works great..basically a decent quality old style basic clamp type.

[JWA]

Appears that I have is stock---nice design battery clamp but sadly doesn't tighten enough to suit me.

I'll fiddle with this one a bit more but can't see that'll do any good. Anything changes or I come up with a workable solution I'll certainly post that here.

[MadScience]

For a quick fix, the stock ones can be shimmed with a sliver of copper sheet. Presumably you could use other materials as well, it's just what I found when I had to make mine work.

I've got a set of the military style ones sitting in the tool bag in the van, but so far the shim is working just fine and is making it hard to justify the time to change them out.