Prospect62 Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 I did search but didn't find much... MY 85 IDI is in need of new batteries. I've heard here and there that Group 31 truck and tractor batteries are a good, high CCA upgrade. I have heard some say they fit right in "plug and play" style and I have heard some say mods are needed to the battery tray to either lower the battery or make the tray wider. I can get a 925 CCA Group 31 battery for $79 each at my local heavy truck dealer, which is about half the cost of new Group 27 batteries from WalMart. I'm thinking I have to make this work somehow - the cost savings alone are worth some tinkering, plus I'll be in there doing a 3G swap anyway. Has anyone here ever put Group 31 batteries in an IDI-powered Bullnose that can speak from experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1986F150Six Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 A search brought this up: https://www.oilburners.net/threads/group-31-batteries-in-80-86.70928/ https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1348889-group-31-battery.html https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1438638-what-battery-do-i-need.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prospect62 Posted October 12, 2022 Author Share Posted October 12, 2022 A search brought this up: https://www.oilburners.net/threads/group-31-batteries-in-80-86.70928/ https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1348889-group-31-battery.html https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1438638-what-battery-do-i-need.html A search of this forum didn't find much... I did see those results on other forums. I wanted to ask here because people here seem to have voluminous knowledge and experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 A search of this forum didn't find much... I did see those results on other forums. I wanted to ask here because people here seem to have voluminous knowledge and experience. I'm running a Group 31 in the starting slot on Big Blue, but a 31 wouldn't fit in the aux spot as it was too tall and would hit the hood. So I went with a Group 34 there. And while BB has a gas engine it does have the factory aux battery compartment in the factory spot, so that's the same as a diesel would have. Also, I have a later Ford battery mount in the starting spot, so it may sit higher or lower than the Bullnose mount - I don't know. But I can say the Group 31 battery's negative post is very, VERY close to the hood. Bottom Line: I do not think you can go with a pair Group 31's in a Bullnose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuroraGirl Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 I'm running a Group 31 in the starting slot on Big Blue, but a 31 wouldn't fit in the aux spot as it was too tall and would hit the hood. So I went with a Group 34 there. And while BB has a gas engine it does have the factory aux battery compartment in the factory spot, so that's the same as a diesel would have. Also, I have a later Ford battery mount in the starting spot, so it may sit higher or lower than the Bullnose mount - I don't know. But I can say the Group 31 battery's negative post is very, VERY close to the hood. Bottom Line: I do not think you can go with a pair Group 31's in a Bullnose. I dont know how they mount or look like in bullnose, but if its an AGM 31, all you need is to find a way to positively secure it sideways which would either require a lot of extra.. stuff.. modification, changing the bracket position, or maybe its as simple as laying it down and bam. lol. prob not that easy, but as long as its agm you could even do it UPside down if you have a bracket in which the posts would be clearign the bracket, but I doubt that too Those usually come with a handle they are so heavy, so its definitely something youd have to want bad to contort that under the hood etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuroraGirl Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 I dont know how they mount or look like in bullnose, but if its an AGM 31, all you need is to find a way to positively secure it sideways which would either require a lot of extra.. stuff.. modification, changing the bracket position, or maybe its as simple as laying it down and bam. lol. prob not that easy, but as long as its agm you could even do it UPside down if you have a bracket in which the posts would be clearign the bracket, but I doubt that too Those usually come with a handle they are so heavy, so its definitely something youd have to want bad to contort that under the hood etc https://www.winterfabonline.com/product/group-31-battery-tray found a decent tray that is fabricated and affordable that would probably do the job. just finding a spot becomes the difficult part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 I dont know how they mount or look like in bullnose, but if its an AGM 31, all you need is to find a way to positively secure it sideways which would either require a lot of extra.. stuff.. modification, changing the bracket position, or maybe its as simple as laying it down and bam. lol. prob not that easy, but as long as its agm you could even do it UPside down if you have a bracket in which the posts would be clearign the bracket, but I doubt that too Those usually come with a handle they are so heavy, so its definitely something youd have to want bad to contort that under the hood etc I'm confused. You said you don't know how they mount in a Bullnose but you have an '85 IDI, so surely it has two batteries? And the one on the driver's side should mount just like my aux battery, which is shown below. But you are right, some batteries can be mounted sideways or even upside down. Are the ones you are looking at AGM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 I'm confused. You said you don't know how they mount in a Bullnose but you have an '85 IDI, so surely it has two batteries? And the one on the driver's side should mount just like my aux battery, which is shown below. But you are right, some batteries can be mounted sideways or even upside down. Are the ones you are looking at AGM? Prospect62 is looking at a sub $80 economy battery from the local heavy duty truck dealer. I doubt very much that it is AGM. It seems Gary is the only one who has one in a Bullnose (and that is in the bigger Bricknose battery tray) I don't have an answer or comment beyond that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prospect62 Posted October 14, 2022 Author Share Posted October 14, 2022 Prospect62 is looking at a sub $80 economy battery from the local heavy duty truck dealer. I doubt very much that it is AGM. It seems Gary is the only one who has one in a Bullnose (and that is in the bigger Bricknose battery tray) I don't have an answer or comment beyond that. They're not AGM. I was just curious if anyone put them in their bullnose. I took some time to inspect the truck over the last couple days and it looks like they'll fit. I'll keep everyone posted if I end up doing it. Thanks for the responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuroraGirl Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 I'm confused. You said you don't know how they mount in a Bullnose but you have an '85 IDI, so surely it has two batteries? And the one on the driver's side should mount just like my aux battery, which is shown below. But you are right, some batteries can be mounted sideways or even upside down. Are the ones you are looking at AGM? No I have a 1996, I dont own a bullnose lol. You must thought I was the OP. I was sharing some thoguhts about AGM and a possible tray if there was a way to mount one sideways(it would allow the fitment of another 31 if desired if it was possible) haha sorry for that mix up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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