99 GT Battery Fitment.

[dmontzsta]

I bought a nice 850cca red top Optima, but it does not fit in the stock battery tray. I could not return it since I peeled the top tabs off, so I figured I would use it for my boat. My question is, what battery do I get? I want a nice strong battery that I do not have to worry about for a long time, especially since mine is getting a little old.

 

[hotrodnut]

I don't think Optima has a perfect fit Battery for the Mustang . . . . why? . . . I can't figure that out since there are so many Mustangs out there. But, either way, they don't.

I made the Optima Red Top fit in my Mustang by drilling a new hole in the clamp down bracket. The stock mounting of the clamp is the longest side up, if you lay it down to where the shortest side is up, drill a new mounting hole near the longest edge of the short side the clamp will reach the Battery with no problem. I also used the stock insulation wrap buy cutting one corner and putting velcro where it was required to make up for the shorter length so it had a snug fit around the Optima.

Optima does make a new mounting bracket to hold their Batteries in but I felt what I did was good enough until I mount the Battery in the trunk.

 

[dmontzsta]

Mine doesnt even have a clamp down bracket. The battery is just sitting in there. Also, the Optima is wider than the holder, so it sits in there crooked cause the sides of the holder need to be grinded off for it to fit flat.

Any pics?

 

[SaleenGT2001]

my optima red top fit perfectly. there are different hold down tabs included with the battery. i think there is only one size for the red tops, right?

 

[hotrodnut]

Mine doesnt even have a clamp down bracket. The battery is just sitting in there. Also, the Optima is wider than the holder, so it sits in there crooked cause the sides of the holder need to be grinded off for it to fit flat.

Any pics?

No pics, but I'll try and get one tonight.

my optima red top fit perfectly. there are different hold down tabs included with the battery. i think there is only one size for the red tops, right?

There are 2 different sizes of the Red Tops, you must have the 900 CCA version which the length is perfect but the width is a tad narrower than the Factory Battery but fits better than the Model 75/25 that I have. Hummm, mine didn't come with any extra hold down tabs.

 

[bgrd351]

yea, there is 2 different ones and I bought the wrong one by listening to a speed shop. mine fits the same as yours with the ends of the stock battery tray pushing out. I'm just going to mount mine in the truck once I find the right kit for the remote mount

 

[CdnNavybob]

I thought the Ford batteries were wider than a normal battery? Shouldn't the optima be too small for the bracket? Summit Racing has a fairly cheap battery relocation kit. Get that and put your optima in the trunk.

 

[hotrodnut]

I thought the Ford batteries were wider than a normal battery? Shouldn't the optima be too small for the bracket? Summit Racing has a fairly cheap battery relocation kit. Get that and put your optima in the trunk.

My Factory Battery was wider and a tad loger too, the height was the same though. By modifying the stock bracket a little made the bracket clamp the Optima Battery in the proper location.

 

[bdcardinal]

there is a 75/35 and a 78/34 red top. there is also a straight 35 that doesnt have side posts. the 78/34 is going to be the closest to the ford generic battery shape. just sure that the battery comes with the ford grp 65 adapter.

 

[hotrodnut]

Mine doesnt even have a clamp down bracket. The battery is just sitting in there. Also, the Optima is wider than the holder, so it sits in there crooked cause the sides of the holder need to be grinded off for it to fit flat.

Any pics?

Here's the pics of the mounting bracket, notice how the tray is larger in width and I used the factory mounting bracket, layed it down and drilled a new hole for the mounting bolt.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Do what I did, take your battery tray in to the store with you and test fit the Optima batteries until you get a good fit. There are only 3 bolts holding the battery tray... I got the smaller Optima with a special hold down, it fits perfect with no modifications.