[osufireman]

Hi all,

I had been getting by with clamp-on terminal ends on both negative battery cables (a shop installed them when I was younger and didn't know better). Now the wire is so corroded on the drivers side that it is flaking apart and the truck won't start.

My question: who offers a good replacement option for a 1990 f250 with 7.3l idi for the negative battery cables? I found a cable on ebay for 1992 - 1997 in the title; is this the same length as the 1990?

Replacement is the better option I think. I'm stationed on the other side of the country and will have to coach family via skype on replacing it. I don't think trying to repair would be easy for them.

Thanks!

 

[chuckster57]

I prefer to make my own. Local A/P store or welding shop is the best place to get the cable. Your A/P store should have a variety of cable ends so you can make them to your specs.

I made new Positive cable about 6 months ago. Including the tool to crimp the cable ends I spent less than $100.00

 

[Bill1013]

Sounds like he's in the service across the country someplace. Might be difficult for his family to make up cables.

Most A/P stores only have a #4 gauge negative cables. You need at least a #2 gauge cable 24" to 30" long from drivers side battery to front of engine where it bolts on. I wouldn't worry about the pass side cable for now.
The smaller the gauge #number, the larger the cable size, ie: #1 gauge is larger than #2 gauge, all the way to #0000 gauge in case you don't know.

I would try a truck repair shop, they should carry cables for the big trucks. Negative battery terminals are all the same size.

osufireman, is that Ohio State University?

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Gauge-Diesel-Truck-Battery-Harness/dp/B00C7YJK4Y/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1462287861&sr=8-8&keywords=truck+battery+cables[/ame]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WC9074-NEGA...ash=item2eea3b1d2d:g:Ip8AAOSwstxVf1jj&vxp=mtr

This last cable from U-haul is the one you need. Frank at U-haul will ship quick. All F series IDI trucks take the same neg cable from 83 to 94.

 

[Steve83]

This photo album shows (& its captions explain) how to replace your own terminals in a few minutes with no special tools, and inexpensive high-quality parts that are available locally & online:



It also explains why clamp-on terminals are made by Satan, and what to do about damaged cables.

 

[bugman]

If you don't want to mess around trying to put them together yourself here is a shop that will build just what you want