Literally the exact same way a $3 dollar sleeve does: extremely well.

 

^^^ yeah..right.

 

Busted. I go around to random forums telling tall tales about how I shim battery terminals. I don't actually have a car sitting in the driveway right now that's used this method since the day I bought it and hasn't skipped a beat in 2+ years. It's all just a big elaborate ruse that gives me a power trip. You got me steve37... you got me.

 

Glad a solution was found here!! I like the idea of adding a pan to the new battery and compensating for surface irregularities underneath with rubber. I've ordered thick strips of rubber off of amazon before! It wasnt very cheap so I wont bother with a link. As for a pan, sometimes new batteries come with one of some sort. A recent purchase of an upsized battery for our tacoma came with a plastic grid purposed to increase overall height for some applications. One could also be made out of a sheet of ABS through use of either a heat gun and folding, or a soldering iron for plastic welding, still finding something pre-made would likely have a nicer finish than homemade (and you wouldnt have to worry about cutting the plastic to size. Blades for MDF and plastic are expensive

I was so relieved when I saw the image of the old tray removed!

Oh, you know, if there is a gap between the terminal clamps and the new, smaller terminals, I don't see why nails couldn't suffice. I wouldn't want to go that route because I disconnect the battery fairly often for services, the aesthetics would also bug me (I'm petty). For one insistent on that route, nails used as shims could be soldered into place for peace of mind. I definitely appreciate the outside of the box thinking!

 

 

For the tray, just buy the one for a 00 Civic. It's like 15$ from Honda. #4 on the diagram, P/N 31521-SR3-000.

Sorry, could not post the picture...Hope the link will work: https://www.hondapartscheap.com/auto...t/battery-scat

 

That part looks like a plastic "insert." I'm much more concerned with the metal platform that supports the battery. The 51R has to fit onto the metal platform if it is going to be secure. Zero looks like he has achieved this (much to my surprise -- I would have guessed the bigger battery would not have fit).

 

Those look great, but I must admit that I have had trouble making them work because they don't grip the battery posts not matter how much you tighten the clamps on the leads.

 

It's a plastic tray. I used a rubber mat under this tray, then placed it on the metal support of the Fit, then installed the battery. The rubber should help to stop vibrations from the car to be transferred to the battery.

 

I've used this style before...would prob grip better.....

 

Guys- for the record, ive had no issues with shaking/vibrations due to removing the stock black plastic battery housing after the 51R install..the securing rods do a spot-on job so unless you're worried about "metal to battery" contact, the rods will secure the battery plenty imo..ofcourse i havent gone off-road or any crazy driving to test this theory further but the usual point a-b driving, its secure.

 

PS -When i purchased the 51R i asked the costco counter guy if the battery i was about to purchase had a Japanese or Standard post...he'd never heard of the 51R having a "post option", so i deduced that the one i was buying must have the standard...and so it was, it could be a regional thing but apparently in NorCal, the Costco 51R's have the standard battery posts.