Dual Battery Tray for a 1973 CJ5

I have been looking through catalogs and websites, and I'm having some difficulty in finding a dual battery tray that will bolt up in my '73' CJ5. Most of the sources list them for '76' on up. Any ideas?

 

Ever try a M38A1 ????

 

Depending on how it mounts I would think the 76 up would fit.

 

I'd think so too. Have a link?

There's so much that changed for the '76 model year, and so few 72-75 Jeeps are still on the road is low compared to '76 on (I'd think) ... aftermarket suppliers don't list much for '72-75.

 

I'm not sure what a m38a1 is; is it a part number or a jeep model? Also, I have almost given up hope of finding a dual battery tray for the '73', heck, I can't even find a brand new replacement single battery tray. I've looked at 4WD hardware, Quadratrac, JC Whitney and searched online. At this point, I may have to just have the old tray sandblasted and use a rattle can on it and stick to one good battery.

 

M38-A1 is the military version of the CJ-5, introduced in the early 50s. The battery box of the M38-A1 is in the cowl, accessible from the top outside. It's on the passenger side, and uses two 12V batteries to provide 24V for the waterproof military electricals.

You can't put your batteries in the cowl unless you remove your heater and glovebox.

Link to the '76-on part?

 

That one is from collins brothers and I would sure think that would work in an intermediate. I dunno, might need to make some modifications but I think it will be really close?

 

I bought a 76 and up battery tray off of eBay and it fit great.
Granted, I'm pretty sure when the PO put the glass body on he used a 76 battery tray then as well so all the holes lined up perfectly. I think you should be fine with the newer model tray. You might have to punch a new mounting hole, but thats the brakes I guess.
Besides, I doubt you could ever find an original one, they are one of the first things to rust away.

Also, a thought on the dual trays, couldn't you just mount them on top of each other?
The only thing below the tray is heater hoses, I think there should be enough room to fit a second one below the first. You would definitely want to put some reinforcement in on the firewall, thats a lot of weight to hang on it.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the ideas. I finally called a friend who works in a machine shop to see about just sandblasting my old tray, and he wants to build a dual tray for me. I just didn't have the tools to fabricate it myself.

 

Sweet!
Its good to have friends like that.
Good Luck

 

:iagree:
I'm usually the 'friend' that does work for someone else. Not Fab work, usually construction/labor!R)

 

you'll 'prolly be happier with that... most of the of the shelf stuff is not very strong.