[adman02]

started a new thread

[geochaf1]

How involved is it to make your own battery cables? Is it easier to make the negative cable from the battery with three cables to the starter, grounding bolt, and alternator?

[Bubba Ray]

My local NAPA store made anything I wanted at a fair price.

[featured]

I see how Jeep Hammer said it is not necessary to use 4 ga everywhere, but are there any drawbacks? I know i`ll have more trouble finding quality 10 ga cable than 4 ga welding lead material. In fact I probably still have 10 ft or so of new left over 4 ga material.

Where can I find a brass bolt?

I also really like the way Fatman's setup turned out.

Thoughts on using the heavier stuff if its already available anyone?

[way_of_life]

I made my own main battery cables out of 2ga copper wire with solid copper ends

maybe a little overkill but whatever.

The cable could be mistaken for garden hose if it wasn't clear.

If you use 2ga-- you will need HUGE wire crimpers or bolt cutters to crimp the end terminals (they eyelet ones for using on a battery cutoff switch or ground)

[Bubba Ray]

I had trouble finding the bolt so I made my own on a lathe. Easy if you have access.

[featured]

Originally Posted by Bubba Ray

I had trouble finding the bolt so I made my own on a lathe. Easy if you have access.

Yep, exactly what i`d do also. I really need to stop selling my super useful tools! When I get a permanent house that will be the first thing I replace.

[featured]

BOLTS

I have put together a short list of brass bolts available online for dirt cheap - these are all from Amazon which makes life easy with very inexpensive shipping, etc. I am ordering some other stuff so might as well throw a healthy mix of these into my order for future re-wiring projects.

25 pack of 3/8" x 16 Nuts

5 pack of 3/8" x 16 x 1" bolts

5 pack of 3/8" x 16 x 1 1/4" bolts

5 pack of 3/8" x 16 x 1 3/4" bolts

5 pack of 3/8" x 16 x 2" bolts

See these links for varying other sizes of bolts:

List of ALL 3/8" brass bolts sold by Amazon

List of ALL brass bolts of varying sizes sold by Amazon

And nuts:

List of all brass nuts sold by Amazon

As for the nuts - a 50 pack is only $2 more than 25 pack, if anyone needs some let me know...

[geochaf1]

Thanks for the listing of brass bolts, etc., at Amazon.

[243]

There is no shortage of brass bolts on Fastenal's website...

Cap Screws & Hex Bolts | Fastenal

[geochaf1]

Thanks for the Fastenal link. I just completed an order with them. They seem to have decent prices and save me the hassle of driving all over Houston for brass bolts.

[featured]

Originally Posted by 243

There is no shortage of brass bolts on Fastenal's website...

Cap Screws & Hex Bolts | Fastenal

lol, I didnt even think to check Fastenal and there is a retail store in town.

[brian181]

Great thread!
Quick question, when running the dedicated ground to the grill housing, do you use an existing bolt, or drill a hole and use a brass bolt?

[way_of_life]

Originally Posted by brian181

Great thread!
Quick question, when running the dedicated ground to the grill housing, do you use an existing bolt, or drill a hole and use a brass bolt?

you can do either, but if you use an existing hole you'll have to make sure you get a good metal to metal connection (clean rust to bare metal) and then once your ground is established then seal it up with paint/clear or something to keep it from rusting or corroding

brass isn't necessary, but it does make a good connection and won't rust-- it is fine to put a ground lead under an existing steel nut/bolt though

[82JeepCJ7]

I run one from the battery to a bolt on the starter. Direct link to the highest amp draw. I run one to the body, and one directly to my winch. I never truck chassis grounds for the high amp draw items.