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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Battery Box (Replacement)

I'm going to replace my battery box due to acid damage. I have a spot welder to do this. Looking at the Moss replacement, it appears not to have the proper holes in it. I don't feel we should have to drill the proper holes after paying what they want for one. I see no holes for the oil line etc in the left hand lower corner. Also, mine has two holes in the bottom center, 1.5 inches apart, diagonal from each other, the side holes look the same. Any feedback on this Moss box? Where else can they be had, if any? PJ
Paul sr

Looking at Kirk Triggs template for a DIYS battery box, it indicates two holes in the back plate that are not in my original TF box. In fact the two smaller holes directly below them are not in mine either. Are TF & TD boxes different? I don't intend to build my own box, it's just these holes have me baffled. It doesn't even show the two larger holes in the back. PJ

Paul sr

Paul I used the Moss box on the TF. I didn't do any drilling.

L E D LaVerne

It was a lot better than this.

L E D LaVerne

The only real problem with the Moss box is the lip at the top is wrong. The buffer spacing is slightly wrong but no big deal. See prior threads on it.
Chris Couper

The TD got a new box as well. Both looked the same to me coming off and going back on.

L E D LaVerne

Do you have the details of the wood spacers and the hold down bar, hooks and L-shaped rubber parts that go around the edge of the battery?
colin stafford

Hello Paul. For the very reason you are replacing your battery box I carried out a small revision and installed the one in my T.F. with fasteners, It can be removed and re-installed in minutes. I do support originality providing. there are no other more practical alternatives. John
J .R.C Cavey

Thanks guys for your input!
LaVerne, y
Your photo shows the two lower holes in the back plate, the Moss photo doesn't show them and that's where the confusion came from.


I just ordered a spot weld cutter from NAPPA, $12.50. It will cut out the top layer and not put a hole in the outside sheet metal. I have come to one conclusion though, they spot welded mine in so many places plus two Mig welds, If the car was in a Nuclear explosion, the battery box would still be attached to the firewall! Grin. PJ
Paul sr

Paul: See my thread on the battery box lip earlier. I ended up using a modern panel adhesive. You don't need a welder and it won't warp your panels.

And it will hold up to a nuclear explosion even better than all the spot welds.
Chris Couper

Jeez LaVerne, That would have buffed out.
J E Carroll

I buffed it out alright

L E D LaVerne

Paul,

Please don't take my template as absolute gospel. I think there may be quite a degree of variation as to the quantity, diameter, and placement of holes between early and late TD as well as TF. Others are certainly more qualified than I on any and all points of originality. I merely did the best I could with what I had to work from, which wasn't much. I do hope that the template may be of use to others, but I strongly encourage doing your own research and comparison.

Kirk
Kirk Trigg

The new box is on it's way, but I don't know about using panel adhesive in a battery compartment. Chris, appreciate the info on the glue, but I have a spot welder and will go with the factory method using the original dimples, (original spot weld marks). The back of the old box is eat out quit a bit, including the lip. Fortunately no damage to the tool box.
There's a small block of wood in the bottom of my tool box favoring the right side, is that factory? PJ
Paul sr

Paul, on a TD that block locates the jack inside of the toolbox. Bud
Bud Krueger

"small block of wood in the bottom of my tool box favoring the right side"
Paul,
Pretty sure that is in my TF as well for the jack.
David Sheward

I kinda thought that it was for positioning the jack, as that's where my jack was located, just didn't know if it was factory. Thanks for clearing that up! PJ
Paul sr

Well, the new box arrived. Personally, I'm not happy with it! 1-It's made from a thinner material than my original box! 2-The top lip is too short! And 3, the most important of all, it's too narrow! My old box is 14 inches wide, the new box is 13 3/4 inches wide!
Question, how wide is the TD box? Is it narrower than the TF box and that's where they took the measurements from or is this box just a cheap, poor design and the chinese workers couldn't read the proper measurements!? Someone screwed up on this item. I can see them using a cheaper grade of material, but physical size? I think I ought to fabricate my own. PJ
Paul sr

1. I mic'ed mine and it was the same as original. Maybe a hair thicker
2. Should have seen the post I referred to above. LaVerne even posted a picture above too
3. It was fine for my TD. In fact I used it as a template for a new back piece before sending it back for reason #2. I measured mine and its 14" wide so I cannot say why yours is 13 3/4". Maybe LaVerne can measure his as a comparison.

If you are not happy with it Moss will take it back for full credit. Shipping will be lost of course. When there are problems with quality the only way we are going to get them resolved is via the feedback process. Returns are one way.

You might try to find a custom chop shop in your area and have them fabricate one for you. I'll bet it is less than $50 US to do if you give them drawings etc as above. The guy that built my back piece with lip only charged me $20.
Chris Couper

I have no idea why this new box is 13.5 inches wide, when others are saying theirs is 14 inches wide, the proper width. I'm not going to modify the firewall to fit the box, Moss will get it back! Probably fabricate my own. My son has a 56 inch wide metal brake and shears for cutting and bending aircraft panels. PJ
Paul sr

Notified Moss of the box being 13 3/4 inches wide verses 14 inches wide. Haven't heard back since sending measurement photos, so we'll see what happens before I get into making my own. PJ

Paul sr

Firewall hole. To look factory, the box has to be tight in the corners to get welded without a filler.

Paul sr

Well, It was stated that Moss said, believe it or not, I should bend the side tabs on the firewall in to fit the box! That's not going to happen as they need to be flush for spot welding as original! So I'm now looking for a sheet of 18 gauge/.040 metal. I need a sheet 20X30 to cut out a box sides back and bottom. Haven't had any luck finding a vender so far. Probably send the Moss box back. I'm going to check with Abington Spares and other venders for a 14 inch wide one first. Such is life.PJ
Paul sr

Any chance you have a sheet metal shop in your area? A local HVAC/sheet metal shop made a perfectly fitting tool box for me a few years ago. A race fab shop could also make. If they supposed to be 14" wide, Moss should be embarrassed telling you to bend your flanges. George
George Butz

This thread was discussed between 04/09/2013 and 18/09/2013

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