How To: The Big 3

[Frogfish]

EDIT: Changed the position of the engine to body ground. Placed pics in my post on page 3.

Not sure if this is already on the site. I searched, but no luck. Mods, feel free to sticky or move this thread if it needs to be in the tech forum. I also didn't resize the pics so the details would be clear (be careful 56k).

The "big 3" upgrade is a common mod done by owners. It involves upgrading the size and quality of wire for the battery and alternator. This will provide better current flow which can affect many aspects of your vehicle (i.e. less voltage drop, no dimming lights, even better mileage, etc...).

There has been some debate on whether or not to fuse the lead from the battery to the alternator. I chose to have the extra insurance and fused it with a 200amp waterproof ANL fuse.

For parts, I ordered my supplies from http://www.knukonceptz.com/. Good quality and value for the price. Most go with 1/0 gauge wire. You could even use welding cable.

I followed the paths of the factory cable and finished everything off with wire loom.

On the (-) side:
Battery to chassis
Battery to block

On the (+) side:
Battery to alternator

On with the pics:

Le parts

Test fitting the battery terminals

For the battery to frame lead, I used a common ground bolt almost directly below the battery.

Here's a shot of the bolt looking from underneath the truck.

The ground bolt on the block is hard to see. Removing the plastic splash guard just under and behind the front of the truck will help immensely.

Making progress.

Some finished pics:

Please feel free to ask any questions or add comments. Forklift or Rattron, let me know what you think.
:endofshow

....

 

[linden]

nice write up i really like those battery terminals, im getting ready to do the big 3 in my truck but i gotta do it x2

 

[HackMcMaster]

so i did my own version today
i used the following cables

Battery to frame 30.75" 2 3/8" ring terminals
Battery to block 42" 5/16" and 3/8" ring terminal
battery to Fuse box 23" 1/4" and 3/8" ring terminal
battery to alternator 37" 3/8 and 1/4 ring terminal
i also redid the battery to starter which is 3/8 and 1/4" ring terminal but its useless imo
first thing to do is remove the fuse box cover, to do that remove this brace it has $ 13mm bolts

will see this connection on the side of the box right under where that brace was
once u get the box partly off ull have to remove that
pull the side of the box over these tabs before lifting up

push out that connection i mentioned earlier

we will be using this stud in the back left (front right from drivers seat) it has a 7mm nut

have the cable exit the stockish location when you reinstall the cover

reinstall the brace

install the alternator cable to the back of the alternator, 10mm nut
should have something like this

drop your frame to battery cable down this void

grind the gunk off ur frame and the bracket previously here

reinstall bracket, i used a washer under the other bolt

install the frame cable, 15mm bolt
and your done except i added the worlds most expensive jumper cable while i was at this

 

[Jared]

nice dude

 

[slicksierra]

I gotta do this too to help reduce voltage drop while plowing. What's the average cost involved with this mod?

 

[HackMcMaster]

i cant say i spent alot on shit u probably wont use

 

[slicksierra]

What extra stuff did you get?

 

[HackMcMaster]

I swapped out the starter cable, made Special jumper cables, heat shrink and silicone on all the connections


Sent from a secure terminal using the classified military network

 

[HackMcMaster]

I paid $4 a foot for wire and $2 per cable end found itemized receipt when I was cleaning


Sent from a secure terminal using the classified military network

 

[BOO5TED]

Really need to do this on the Sierra.

 

[Oktain]

I need to do this.

 

[2005_Silverado]

Me too, stupid previous owner put a small battery in the truck....cranks alright but you can feel the AC blowers slow down at idle, rpms dip when i turn on lights or the efans kick in and batt needle is always moving around

 

[slicksierra]

Eventually I need to do this, dual batteries and a either a high output single or dual alternators

 

[HackMcMaster]

id go with one high output before two smaller ones imo, easier to upgrade down the road, less hassle

 

[Cleanoh4]

so i did my own version today
i used the following cables

Battery to frame 30.75" 2 3/8" ring terminals
Battery to block 42" 5/16" and 3/8" ring terminal
battery to Fuse box 23" 1/4" and 3/8" ring terminal
battery to alternator 37" 3/8 and 1/4 ring terminal
i also redid the battery to starter which is 3/8 and 1/4" ring terminal but its useless imo
first thing to do is remove the fuse box cover, to do that remove this brace it has $ 13mm bolts

will see this connection on the side of the box right under where that brace was
once u get the box partly off ull have to remove that
pull the side of the box over these tabs before lifting up

push out that connection i mentioned earlier

we will be using this stud in the back left (front right from drivers seat) it has a 7mm nut

have the cable exit the stockish location when you reinstall the cover

reinstall the brace

install the alternator cable to the back of the alternator, 10mm nut
should have something like this

drop your frame to battery cable down this void

grind the gunk off ur frame and the bracket previously here

reinstall bracket, i used a washer under the other bolt

install the frame cable, 15mm bolt
and your done except i added the worlds most expensive jumper cable while i was at this

Why your pictures no work? Agggh


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[BOO5TED]

Work fine for me. :shrug:

 

[Ginger]

work for me too, will this cut down my stereo whine?

 

[BOO5TED]

Maybe, but usually whine is from a bad ground at the amp.

 

[Cleanoh4]

Perhaps it's a tapashit thing. And stereo whine is usually grounding issue as previously stated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[Cleanoh4]

So it was tapashit, work fine at home....
Would love to see intall of jumper cable set up as I was thinking about doing the same