[DeTomaso] Battery Relocation

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/02/06 10:39:03 AM, jmontero at fcmat.org writes:

<< Does anyone have any experience relocating the battery to the passenger 
side rear, in front of the rear tire and behind the splash shield? >>

Yes. Don't do it. I ran mine this way for 6 months. First, the area is 
completely inaccessible unless you jack up the car, remove the wheel and splash 
shield. Then you can tighten a loose battery clamp or add water. Most people 
including me won't do preventive maintenence on the battery when its that much 
trouble. So on a rainly day 80 miles from home during a wine tour, I got a loose 
battery cable & the engine would not crank. Did I mention the stock Pantera 
screw-jack does not work well in dirt parking lots? Did I also mention that 
"maintenence-free" batteries occasionally need water if you use a battery tender to 
keep them charged up? 
Second, the LAST thing a Pantera needs is more weight on the rear wheels! 
Very early Panteras had the battery in this location, but DeTomaso/Ford changed 
it to its present front location even though it cost more there (longer cables 
needed). IMHO, the best option is to dig a hole in the front trunk and drop 
the battery in it ala the post-Ford factory Panteras. My 2¢- J DeRyke