[FloridaEd]

The battery on the driver's side has a shroud that covers the inspection holes used to check water levels and add water to the battery.

This shroud seems to be part of the intake air system. Any of you know any reason that I can't cut the shroud back to let me inspect and add water....and clean the battery terminals and connectors.

As it stands from the factory, I have to remove part of the air intake shroud to check the battery.

I know some engineer somewhere has a good reason for this desgin...just not sure he was working for Ford at the time.

Tks

Florida Ed

 

[Bill Cummings]

floridaed


simple mod. Just cut the raised portion out that covers the battery filler caps. Drill a hole in the support on each end and replace the part you cut out and secure it with a small bungie cord over the cap cover protector.

 

[QtrHorse]

The air duct that feeds the intake, actually has a wall/ pc of plastic that seperates it from the battery box. You can cut almost the whole top off and still have seperation from the air duct. Look here; <font color="blue">First battery box cut</font> and here; <font color="red">Second battery box cut</font>. The first pictures is what I had to do to fit a Optima battery in the box and the second pictures is what I did when I installed the larger charge and ground cables after installing a 200 amp alternator. If you enlarge the second picture, you can see that pc in the front that you have to leave on, because it has some clips that hold it to the pc that is bolted to the body of the truck.

 

[Cool_Canuck]

Or throw the stock air cleaner away and replace it with the Ford AIS unit. You get a fully exposed battery and better breathing with improved filtration. Couple of hundred bucks and maintain the factory look.