Under-bed Battery Box (Torklift, others?)

I’m considering a dual battery setup in my 5.7L RCSB - just in the thinking-about phase at the moment.

I’ve looked at many engine-bay setups including the SDHQ and Genesis and several other kits, as well as DIY designs.

SDHQ and similar: I have a single ARB compressor on a mount behind the air box which may conflict with a relocated washer fluid tank. The split battery would be my preference if committed to stuff it all into the engine bay.

Genesis: I’m not keen on the smaller group 25 batteries and crowding the fuse box as I’ve read can be a hassle. I gather the gen.3 kit addresses some of the crowding, but still calls for group 25’s. Love the thoughtful engineering though.

So starting to wonder about mounting my accessory battery under the bed, maybe in front of the pass. wheel well, in a box like Torklift sells (Torklift HiddenPower), with a little extra engineering to support it and make theft more difficult.

Curious if anyone here has done something similar, and where you sourced your box/rack. Torklift doesn’t have a recommended box for the RCSB, so would need to contact them for advice. Maybe there are other, better options.

For control, I’d stick with the basics - a Blue Sea ML-ACR with override switch.

Hardcore off-roading is not in my future, but Sierra snow trips are and maybe an eventual move to the Rockies. Modest lighting, winch (eventually), compressor … no refrigeration, etc. This would mostly be done for reassurance, and because I can.

 

I currently have a group 24 AGM in a vented box in my bed toolbox, but when that dies, I'll be mounting a Li-Ion in that space in front of the fender you mentioned. Seems there should be plenty of room there, gets it low, back, and to the passenger side.

 

That’s a great space - perfect for a battery, air tank, integrated storage box, even a fuel cell <gasp!>.

 

Made my own:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/cruzers-re-build-for-the-rubicon.79505/page-12#post-2348897

https://www.tundras.com/threads/cruzers-re-build-for-the-rubicon.79505/page-12#post-2355162

 

I see what you’ve done there - super simple and clean. I’ve followed some of your adventures - I guess you’re not concerned that the battery isn’t in a fully enclosed housing. You must have yours strapped down pretty good considering the kind of terrain you’re traversing.

 

The mount sandwiches the battery to the bed via bolts that go through the bed. Battery is sealed and has not had any issues in the elements.

 

What’s the benefit of a dual battery setup over a larger alternator? Wouldn’t a winch draw more power than the stock alternator can handle?

 

Yep it’s possible.