TJ Battery Terminals

ncsutj

ncsutj

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
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Was taking the battery out of the TJ to replace with a new one and noticed the positive terminal is cracked. Should I replace them while I got the battery out? What kind of terminals do you recommend? Do I just cut the wires just below the terminal or is there a way to get these off without cutting the wires?

Looks like I will be getting the O'Rileys AGM battery.

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Replace it. It will fatigue and break and leave you stranded somewhere.

You will need to cut it off if you want to reuse the OEM cable, else you can buy a new OEM cable or a compatible replacement. I just did a quick search and most all of the drop-in replacements are over $100, which is completely ridiculous. You can get aftermarket cables with the stamped terminal type (a lot of cars come with those from the factory) for about $20 for your TJ most likely, but it's not going to be the same quality as the OEM.

If you have an automotive electrical shop near you, they could likely make a nice set without you having to buy the really expensive crimpers for the nice terminals. There are various types of replacement terminals with screws/bolts/clamps/etc. for the battery cable, but most of them aren't really great solutions.
 
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No need to get fancy. Cut the old end off, strip back about 3/4" of the insulation, install one of these and be done.
If you have a soldering iron, bonus points for adding a little solder as well.
 
If you lived in Raleigh, I'd let you use my crimper. But you can crimp on an eyelet with a hammer and drift, too.
 
shawn said:
If you lived in Raleigh, I'd let you use my crimper. But you can crimp on an eyelet with a hammer and drift, too.
Click to expand...
That was going to be by next question, what you needed to crimp it. Do you need to use a certain kind of solder?
 
They make crimpers that look like bolt cutters as well as ones that you strike with a hammer to secure the wire.
As far as solder goes, I have always used standard silver solder from a good parts store.
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This is an example of a crimper that you strike with a hammer (or press) to crimp the terminal.

The only issue with soldering is if you lack the experience it can be difficult to get the lug, solder and wire hot enough without damaging the insulation.
There are some good videos on YouTube demonstrating how to properly solder batter cables.

Or just buy a $.99 end from the parts store like I showed earlier and attach it with a 7/16 wrench. If you lack the tools or experience, that will work just fine.
 
Not a fan of hammering a pin and collar tool to crimp, if using that style a bench vise is a much better option, a formal press is even better.

Agree with Jody on solder..done right its as good an anything for a connection, very, very few do it right.
 
I have laid a 2x4 on top of the battery and crimped slip on eyelet ends with a hammer and a drift. Still going strong, as a matter of fact.
 
Going to go with the military terminals and crimb and solder lugs. Anybody know what gauge the wires are for both wires on the positive and negative?
 
Ron said:
Not a fan of hammering a pin and collar tool to crimp, if using that style a bench vise is a much better option, a formal press is even better.

Agree with Jody on solder..done right its as good an anything for a connection, very, very few do it right.
Click to expand...

I drilled a hole in the connector and slid the wire inside. Heated end with oxy-acetylene torch and melted solder through the drilled hole then applied heat shrink. It was easy and still holding after 4 years or so now.
 
I like to use marine style battery terminals and solder lugs on the ends of my cables. I did that on my Ram about 6-7 years ago with great success. Still working fine today. I also did it on my Samurai several years ago.

Like this:

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