Got my Optima Redtop installed (pics)

[Kenz]

Installed my optima today. It looks allot nicer then the OEM battery. I had to redo all the wiring, but I took my time and did everything properly... Also added wire loom on all of the wires and got some terminal covers. I'm kind of a neat freak so everything had to be perfect.

I think it looks nice

Yeah, I could have got the direct fit battery, but I had this one already from my old car. So it took about 20$ of parts, a spacer to raise the battery about an inch, and a few hours to make everything fit nicely.





In the last picture you can see the silverstar bulbs I put in the corner lights. I like they way they look over the amber color ones.

[ClassySolaraGuy]

Nice install. Nice job on keeping that engine bay clean! I like!

[NVDIS1]

looks really good! great job!

[SleeperSolara]

Looks nice man.

[woa_its_j3ff]

I need a red top. did you buy yours online?

[Kenz]

Thanks for the comments, I did a quick write up in case anyone else wants to put one of these in their Solara.

I got mine at autozone about a year ago. They go for a bit less on ebay , but shipping a battery has got to suck.

You can get an exact fit redtop battery and not have to change anything. But they aren't as common. I don't think the yellow tops (deep cycle) are even made in our OEM size.

If you do get the standard model like mine...
-You have to relocate one of the ground wires.
-Reroute the positive wires, they are bunched together in this big mess of plastic tubing and electric tape.
-Replace the OEM battery terminals with new ones of your choice.
-*Most Important* you need to make a spacer to get the battery about 1.4" taller, or it won't hold in place. The last thing you want to happen is your battery to move out of place, or worse fall out and take all the wires with it
- Don't forget to spray some anti corrosion on the terminals, then cover them with rubber or plastic protectors.

[Sebas007]

Why do you have to do those step ??

...
-You have to relocate one of the ground wires.
-Reroute the positive wires, they are bunched together in this big mess of plastic tubing and electric tape.
-Replace the OEM battery terminals with new ones of your choice.
...

[Kenz]

Why do you have to do those step ??

...
-You have to relocate one of the ground wires.
-Reroute the positive wires, they are bunched together in this big mess of plastic tubing and electric tape.
-Replace the OEM battery terminals with new ones of your choice.
...

One of the ground wires is to short unless you move it to a different threaded hole, or replace it with a longer one.
Same deal with the positive wires, they are bunched together in this tubing behind the battery tray, taking them out of it gives you extra wire.
The factory terminals are not deep enough/ the wrong ones to fit the redtop.

[aleki2424]

i had to look twice to confirm u had a gen 1. great job on the clean bay man, . neat