The battery box on my '69 MB 406, ag spec, is ready to drop my battery. Door long gone, floor rusted completely through . . . nothing much left to weld or otherwise salvage. I've found that OEM battery boxes are hard to find and expensive when available. The only new boxes I can find that will fit the big 12V 120 Ah battery needed to crank the monster are either over-engineered semi-truck step units or snap-top plastic jobs designed for boats (i.e., lack the side access and frame-mounting needed to retro-fit the 406).
Given the hard use most 406's have seen over the last 30 years, I can't believe I'm the only one with this problem. So I throw it out there: What are you using for a battery box? Ideas for something economical for those of us who can't weld (yet) would be greatly appreciated.
thants a tough one. i just rebuilt mine, shortly before it would have been too far gone. without welding, sheet metal and spot welding. im at a loss to recomend something. is there a truck wrecking yard near you? i often tell my non metal working friends that for under $2000 you can get set up with a small mig machine, 4' angle grinder, small plasma cutter, and some dvds on how to use em. keep in mind modern mig machines make anybody a welder....very easy to use...good luck
I had the same problem, I used the single battery box from this page, but I had to trim the opening to fit my 12v battery. If I had to do it all over I would have purchased the bigger box. It’s just an aluminum box with a door and a latch so you’ll have to fab up a battery hold down of some sort and figure out how to attach it to the supports. There are 4 holes on the top and bottom of the box that need to be filled, I used the bottom ones to attach to the brackets and I purchased some plastic plugs that work well for the top ones, I have a bunch extra let me know if you need some. How’s your battery box brackets? When I pulled my box I found the brackets in worse shape…. so I fabbed up some brackets from some 2’ square tubing. It seems to work well. Let me know if you want me to take some pictures. Good luck.
RMontez
my box had been recently replaced by the German army with a brand new MB box, but there are probably several sheet metal shops in your neck of the woods that should be able to knock one together for you. I would say in the 300 dollar range
HI,
I don't know about your 406 but I just bought a brand new one from Expedition Imports for my 404. I will receive it on Friday so I can't comment about it further.
I used a box from a 404 and mounted it using the existing frame holes on forward side and drilling at least one hole through the frame on the rear mount; btw the box was used and had its mounting brackets included. It fits perfect between the step and air tank; vertically now, box end outward with the use of a studded truck battery like it was meant to be.
You could fabricate your own by bending in a brake a heavy gauge sheet metal of the appropriate size, two pieces of 90 deg, two squares and slice them diagonally, you end up with four filets to weld at the ends of your two 90 deg pieces, one piece slightly larger so the top will close over the bottom piece, finish nicely with loving craftsmanship and you have a nice battery box.
Not sure where you are, but you could use the shear and finger brake at my shop, or I could put something together for you. 16 gauge would be more than adequate with the right bends to give it stiffness. Couldn't take more than an hour or so. Same for any other mog owner, I have a ton of metal working gear, mig, tig, shear, cold saw, slip roll, shear, brakes, punches and more if you are close to Philadelphia, send me a pm.
seth, thats a generous offer . its posting like yours that contribute to the positive, helpful and supportive nature of this forum. access to sheet metal equip has always been a tough one. i may have to consider a move to phily!
been away from the internet for a couple of weeks, wanted to say thanks to seth for your generous offer and the other responders for your advice. i'm near syracuse, NY. rmontez, i like the look of that double battery aluminum box. would also be nice to have some extra room for a battery shut-off switch and a tender (this mog tends to sit between snowstorms in the winter). i don't know what condition my brackets are in but will have a look this weekend. i like the idea of adding another of the boxes elsewhere (for chains, etc.) and having a unified look. since this seems to be a problem for others, i will post some pics of the project once it's finished.
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