Where to buy LONG top post battery to starter cables?

[JellyBeanDriver]

1986 C30 crew cab, dually, 454 engine, dual battery setup but 2nd battery not installed.

Whoever did work on this in the past swapped the cables and battery over to a top post configuration. Problem is the positive cable is running under the right motor mount and is tight from end to end - no slack. Eventually this is going to wear through and short.

Want to replace the cable with a longer one but don't know who sells them, preferably online. Don't know the length at the moment as I need to measure it (unless someone out there already knows?)

Eventually need to figure out what alternator is in there too - it's not the stock one, might be a C130 but the output at idle is lousy.

TIA,
Dave

[VetteVet]

Where is the positive post? Is it next to the radiator or the fender? You can put the battery in either way but if the Positive is next to the fender the cable will need to be longer. Have you tried to route the cable on top of the frame? Can you use some type of loom around the cable where it touches the mount?
I think about 42 inches would be plenty to reach without a problem.
You can buy longer cables at most any parts place. Walmart sells them but they are 4 gauge and that's too small for me.

The alternator is probably a 12 SI which is a great one. Here's a couple of pics.

The 12 SI is on the left and was used on the later trucks until the CS series cam along. The 10 SI is on the right and was used after the external VRs were discontinued.



here's a CS style used on the later 80s trucks. It has a different plug for the wiring.

[JellyBeanDriver]

The positive terminal on the batt is towards the firewall, negative towards the front of the truck. Your description makes me think on some trucks the battery is oriented right and left instead of front and back like this truck?

I don't think it will route over the top of the motor mount, the drop down to the starter would then be too sharp or have to loop back - I think. I'll look more tomorrow when I'm at the ranch.

The current cable is REALLY heavy duty. Feels like welding wire.

Alternator is neither of the SI ones - someone already 'upgraded' it as it has the same plug as your CS pictured one but only two wires are coming off it - the others are snipped flush.

[VetteVet]

I apologize, you clearly stated that you had an 86 and I had the impression it was 67 to 72 or whenever the battery was left to right.
It sounds like someone has converted from the SI. I seem to remember reading that the 86 was about the last year of the SI.

[bk2life]

get long cable from a welding supply store. they have lug ends also. sometimes you get lucky and some stores have bettery ends.

i only use welding cable cause its cheap, and when runnin a battery in the bed or trunk it is the cheapest and easiest way to go.

enjoy..

[franken]

I'd just go to the napa a mile away and snag one. Ditching the side terminals was a favor so don't feel bad.

[_Ogre]

hopefully he fixed the cable problem 5 years ago

[dmjlambert]

That is funny. I read this thread several times and didn't even realize it is an old resurrected thread. I've got to pay more attention to detail....

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

That is funny. I read this thread several times and didn't even realize it is an old resurrected thread. I've got to pay more attention to detail....

sometimes I search for old thread topics and forget that they are old and find myself wanting to reply. Perhaps that is what happened in this case, or maybe it was seen as a message and just info.

In any case ---- Merry Christmas to all my forum members. VV