So when I bought my 1998 it had a battery from 2003, I replaced it, but the battery had been leaking and destroyed the battery tray, I just replaced that today.

I wanted to post some pictures as an FYI as to why you never let your battery get that old and just let it leak.

It had rusted so much the rubber piece could not be bolted down anymore.

That’s what happens when you let your battery leak for a decade



Where the bolt used to be, it completely rusted out

It rusted right through the wheel well, I still wont be able to bolt it down properly

The old one compared to the new one, top view

The old one compared to the new one, bottom view

The new one installed, I put a light coat of CLP on it to try and keep it from rusting.

 

I see this a lot on these trucks in junk yards actually. Probably why a lot of manufacturers make them out of plastic now lol. I managed to find a solid one and I cleaned it, prepped it, and hit it with some underbody spray on coating. It's held up great now

 

Collector, if you don't mind my asking, where did you get the new tray, and how much was it?

 

Battery acid can be the pitts and even tho I agree with looking things over the age of the battery has nothing to do with it.
The two battery's in my 83 K20 Scottsdale pickup with a 6.2 were installed 1 in 1999 and the other in 2000, both are holding up well.
Even tho I have no idea how far you have run it in I did notice a standard bolt and nut on the positive lead.
For those that have thought about doing it be aware just how far and tight you go.
When it's run in too far or too tight it may pull the internal threaded unit loose and crack the lead around it, the bolt can be also run in too far and crack the lead inside the battery post. In both cases it can and will cause a acid leak ....

 

I got it here:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ery+tray,11671

It is $14.52.

 

Rust makes me sad. Even more so when it is from what should have been an avoidable source.