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Wed Aug 22, 2018 7:23 pm

Perhaps with newer batteries taller is the reason my WW battery strap won't reach by almost 3 inches. What are some of the solutions to extend it besides designing a longer bolt down hole? Or perhaps I ordered/was sent the wrong strap? this is for 12 volt 67 bus. I see nothing in my search.

Wed Aug 22, 2018 7:26 pm

67s don't have a strap, they use a clamp

See this thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=240883

Thu Aug 23, 2018 11:47 am

And, although not necessary to bolt it, part 84 is a special bolt that cuts through the rust and acid muck if.

Thu Aug 23, 2018 4:56 pm

Why is that bolt so long it only goes through sheet metal unless I'm getting all this wrong.

BarryL wrote: And, although not necessary to bolt it, part 84 is a special bolt that cuts through the rust and acid muck if.

Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:07 pm

Post a picture of your battery tray

Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:13 pm

LAGrunthaner wrote: Why is that bolt so long it only goes through sheet metal unless I'm getting all this wrong.

because the captive nut that the bolt threads into is on a bit of an angle, on a V shaped plate of sorts. that, and it helps with variances in battery casing thickness. the battery tray should also have a C shaped channel for the battery to slide in and the clamp pinches the whole mess together

Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:46 pm

LAGrunthaner wrote: Why is that bolt so long it only goes through sheet metal unless I'm getting all this wrong.

BarryL wrote: And, although not necessary to bolt it, part 84 is a special bolt that cuts through the rust and acid muck if.

The bracket is upside down and backward (sorry) and missing the lock washer. See Everett's diagram.

Fri Aug 24, 2018 3:32 am

The tray I bought was for a pre 67 bus probably 66 which has the loop for a traditional strap, 10 years ago I was a novice about a lot of bus information. I am not replacing that metal battery tray, well not in the near future anyway.

Therefore knowing that how is it that the strap is too short and what are people doing as an easy fix? I thought of taking hollow tubing and longer bolt for the opposite side so the hook can reach and yes I can always drill another hole and buy an aftermarket hold down battery bracket. I can't imagine I am the only one with this problem. I'll get a photo today.

Fri Aug 24, 2018 7:09 am

Not in a Bus but since I was driving the car off-road, the original clamp was not enough to keep the battery in place so I made a bracket to secure it out of a section of angle iron & threaded rod.

Fri Aug 24, 2018 9:24 am

LAGrunthaner wrote: The tray I bought was for a pre 67 bus probably 66 which has the loop for a traditional strap

LAGrunthaner wrote: short and what are people doing as an easy fix?

Don't thread the nut all the way down on the captive bolt on the tray.

The threads lower down on my bolt are ruined, so I can only thread the nut down half an inch or so. That leaves the strap loose over the 12V Bosch battery that I have in my truck.

I have to put a length of 2x4 on top of the battery to increase the height so I can clamp it down firmly. That also keeps the strap clear of the terminals so I don't risk shorting to the body (12V battery covers are like rocking horse poo). It's also the block of wood that I use on my trolley jack. I cut a notch cut in it to clear the center pin if I'm lifting by the front beam. Using it on the battery means I always know where that special block of wood it is, and it reminds me to disconnect the battery (usually :roll: ) when I'm working on the truck.

Sun Sep 02, 2018 6:23 pm

Thanks Who.Me?, I would like to use the 66 strap being I bought it, although I like what you designed. Back to the drawing board.

Who.Me? wrote: LAGrunthaner wrote: The tray I bought was for a pre 67 bus probably 66 which has the loop for a traditional strap

LAGrunthaner wrote: short and what are people doing as an easy fix?

Don't thread the nut all the way down on the captive bolt on the tray.

The threads lower down on my bolt are ruined, so I can only thread the nut down half an inch or so. That leaves the strap loose over the 12V Bosch battery that I have in my truck.

I have to put a length of 2x4 on top of the battery to increase the height so I can clamp it down firmly. That also keeps the strap clear of the terminals so I don't risk shorting to the body (12V battery covers are like rocking horse poo). It's also the block of wood that I use on my trolley jack. I cut a notch cut in it to clear the center pin if I'm lifting by the front beam. Using it on the battery means I always know where that special block of wood it is, and it reminds me to disconnect the battery (usually :roll: ) when I'm working on the truck.

Mon Sep 03, 2018 8:23 am

I’ve fixed this two ways:
1(easiest)- use a coupling nut and a small piece of all thread or cut off bolt to lengthen stud.
2- you can use the end of an old gas tank strap to cut and weld the battery strap to the correct length. Cut it so the seam isn’t seen behind the battery.

Mon Sep 03, 2018 8:56 am

LAGrunthaner wrote: Thanks Who.Me?, I would like to use the 66 strap being I bought it

Are different vendors selling different length straps? When I needed a strap, I bought this one from Autocraft here in the UK that says it's for all years. It is too loose even with a 12V battery (because I can only secure it part way down the stud). http://www.autocrafteng.co.uk/shop/search-All+Vehi...5-67_1968/

I don't suppose you've ended up with half of a Type 1 strap like this?... http://www.autocrafteng.co.uk/shop/search-All+Vehi...6-66_3599/

Mon Sep 03, 2018 9:35 am

OMG Krustybus I just realized you are 100% correct with your solution, threaded rod or even longer bolt either way that would be an easy fix which I will try. Thanks

Krustybus wrote: I’ve fixed this two ways:
1(easiest)- use a coupling nut and a small piece of all thread or cut off bolt to lengthen stud.
2- you can use the end of an old gas tank strap to cut and weld the battery strap to the correct length. Cut it so the seam isn’t seen behind the battery.

No, Who.Me? it's not a half strap but interesting either way. What I would like to know is why the strap will not go over my 12 volt battery, I will assume 12 volt batteries are higher than the 6 volt. Is this correct? If this is so what do owners of pre 67 with straps do when they switch over to the 12 volt system? I like Krustybus's idea. Pictures to follow.

Who.Me? wrote: LAGrunthaner wrote: Thanks Who.Me?, I would like to use the 66 strap being I bought it

Are different vendors selling different length straps? When I needed a strap, I bought this one from Autocraft here in the UK that says it's for all years. It is too loose even with a 12V battery (because I can only secure it part way down the stud). http://www.autocrafteng.co.uk/shop/search-All+Vehi...5-67_1968/

I don't suppose you've ended up with half of a Type 1 strap like this?... http://www.autocrafteng.co.uk/shop/search-All+Vehi...6-66_3599/

Mon Sep 03, 2018 10:34 am

If you can get a battery box that fits pretty closely to the L/R side of the battery, it is a good investment to get a box. Keeps the battery acid that the batteries tend to sweat out of the top, from getting to the body work and causing more rust.

Mon Sep 03, 2018 10:45 am

LAGrunthaner wrote: I will assume 12 volt batteries are higher than the 6 volt. Is this correct?

Battery choice may the problem.

I googled the battery in TDCTDI's picture above. Walmart's website says it's 8.9 inches high and 6.9 wide (226mm x 175mm).

I'm using a Bosch S3 065 battery that is 175mm high x 175mm wide.

A strap would need to be 100mm longer (about 4 inches) to go up and over TDCTDI's battery than the Bosch.

Mon Sep 03, 2018 12:16 pm

LAGrunthaner wrote: OMG Krustybus I just realized you are 100% correct with your solution, threaded rod or even longer bolt either way that would be an easy fix which I will try. Thanks
Krustybus wrote: I’ve fixed this two ways:
1(easiest)- use a coupling nut and a small piece of all thread or cut off bolt to lengthen stud.
You put the "all nut" onto the existing stud then go up from there with the "all thread" , which I'm sure you got that.

LAGrunthaner wrote: What I would like to know is why the strap will not go over my 12 volt battery, I will assume 12 volt batteries are higher than the 6 volt. Is this correct? If this is so what do owners of pre 67 with straps do when they switch over to the 12 volt system?
Depends on how tall your battery is and it should have a cover. 6 volts had a cover that actually had a place for the strap to lay on.

Mon Sep 03, 2018 8:26 pm

Linda, here is my setup in my '66 bus converted to 12 volt. Tall battery like a 6 volt but it is a 12 volt with cutouts in the battery cover.

Tue Sep 04, 2018 1:13 am

Fits perfect with a 12V optima

Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:05 am

Linda, here is a picture of my 12V Interstate battery shaped like a 6V from an old thread and other ideas.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8167955&highlight=#8167955