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08-04-2020, 08:21 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 252
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What do you call this battery box and where can I get another?
I’m interested in adding a second battery to my van. I’d like to reproduce the existing setup from the passenger rear corner on the drivers’s side rear. The existing battery is a group 27 in a fiberglass box. The box appears to have flanges that support it after dropping in the hole cut in the van floor. I kind of like the battery access from the inside for security and protecting the battery from the road salt.
I’ve searched all over google for fiberglass boxes and the only similar boxes I can find are used for European race cars. I found UK and German sites with something similar, but as you can imagine the cost+shipping is too much. Where the heck did SMB get these originally? Any idea where I can get one now? Is there a modern/better way to box a second battery? Thanks in advance.
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2001 E-250 SMB 5.4L MG Coil Kit, Modified EB57
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08-04-2020, 08:46 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: West Central Mountains, Idaho
Posts: 479
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I've never seen a set-up like that before. I agree that it's a handy way of carrying the batteries with better access and protection from the elements. Seems that a local welding shop could replicate that in either steel or aluminum for around $600?
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2001 Sportsmobile RB50 7.3
West Central Mountains, Idaho
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08-04-2020, 10:31 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Renton, Wa
Posts: 438
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That looks totally custom to me as well.
Not sure $600 custom. But will probably be at least a few hundred for sure.
Not a bad way to mount them. Will need a few more dollars in wiring it up.
Maybe check with a stereo shop. They could probably build a glass box like that.
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08-05-2020, 05:54 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: boise idaho
Posts: 2,625
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Google flush mount or recessed battery box. There’s a few different companies out there that make them. Here’s the first one that came up when I searched. No idea if any of them make ones big enough for van needs.
https://jfmco.com/product/battery-box-flush-mount
Fabbing one of those up shouldn’t be $600 unless you have a shop in a resort town do it. Aluminum would definitely be more than steel, but I’d hope you could get one made for under $300. Then again, anything attached to #vanlife will be 3 times more than it should be, so steve may be right on the mark with his guess.
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"understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of your car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of your car, horsepower is how hard your car hits the wall, and torque is how far your car moves the wall."
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08-05-2020, 07:24 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 252
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Thanks for the responses everybody. Using the term “flush mount box” definitely opens up a few more options. The original is fiberglass, which seems to be holding up well and is lightweight and corrosion proof. Quick search didn’t show any made of FG. I guess 20 years of marine/automotive progress has eliminated this product from the market. I had no idea this was such a rare setup on top of it. Is it possible that SMB fabricated this custom for the original owner?
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2001 E-250 SMB 5.4L MG Coil Kit, Modified EB57
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08-05-2020, 09:43 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ree-know, nuh-vah-duh
Posts: 335
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__________________
Chris
2006 E350 EB 4x4 SMB: 6.0L-5R110-Atlas-D60-D60FF-yada-yada-yada
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08-05-2020, 10:21 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 478
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__________________
New Van: 2000 Ford E350 SMB RB42
Old Van(sold): 1995 Dodge B3500 SMB RB33
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08-05-2020, 12:56 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,241
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Yep, that is an older SMB setup. Many vans from mid 90's back had them done that way.
They might still sell you the box, who knows. It's worth a call. Remember all SMB locations are different. You'll have to call each one. My guess would be Nancy at the Indiana SMB location would be your best help.
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08-05-2020, 06:10 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Michigan
Posts: 63
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I have the exact same thing in my 2001 Ford E350 SMB, debating on lithium or AGM and that will determine if I make it bigger to fit a couple batteries or not.
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02-08-2021, 04:18 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikerson
Thanks for the responses everybody. Using the term “flush mount box” definitely opens up a few more options. The original is fiberglass, which seems to be holding up well and is lightweight and corrosion proof. Quick search didn’t show any made of FG. I guess 20 years of marine/automotive progress has eliminated this product from the market. I had no idea this was such a rare setup on top of it. Is it possible that SMB fabricated this custom for the original owner?
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Hello, I'm checking to see if you found an original fiberglass box from SMB or went another direction. I had two of these installed in my 95 E 250. I now have only one.
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