Ford 2600 Battery cables

mbmcewen

New User
Hi all. I'm new around here.

I bought a '77 Ford 2600 a few months ago and need to replace the battery cables. My local parts store has #2 and #4 gauge wires.

Will either of these work? If not, can anyone recommend?

Thanks,
Matt
 

Assuming its a diesel.. the 2ga will allow it to crank faster, and that is critical for developing the heat from compression, to fire off a cold engine. So the larger cables will do better. Gas engines, not as critical as the plugs will provide the spark. If original ford battery 30 inch cables were used. If aftermarket where one post is on the opposite end, you might need a longer cable. ALWAYS route the postive cable carefull, away from the outside where the sharp hood edge, and bolt ends can vibrate against the cable and short it out. Lost of fords lost due to a fire from a bad positive cable. Even placing an outer cover over the cable and tiewrapping it on is good measure for long safe life.
 
The larger the cable the better, on a cold morning you want all the current possible flowing,

I have a small gas engine tractor, but when it came time to replace the battery cables I bought #1 size cables, was over kill, but it gives the old
tractor the best possible chance of starting on a cold morning,

#2 size cables should be fine, do not use cables with the ends cut off and replacement battery clamps added as this does not give you the best
connection,
Just my opinion
 
I highly 2nd the advice, for whatever the reason, there is not enough protection, I've sleeved both the 3600 and the 4630's positive battery cable, not trusting the routing and just the insulation on the cable. A piece of garden hose seems to work well, one could use a variety of similar materials, (corrugated sleeve for wire loom etc.).
 
Regarding cable routing, the factory used a nice clamp that tied the both battery cables behind the battery support tray. It worked very well until the first time someone removed the battery cables and chucked it.
 
I'm going to throw in my 2 cents, sleeve the positive cable with a piece of heater hose or the like where it passes by the seam on the fuel tank. They can and do over time wear through the insulation at this point and eventually can wear a hole in the tank and one day you look out the window and your tractor is on fire. Ask me how I know.
 
I always put 2/0 on them... and I think it was either that or 1/0 that was there originally. If you're in a cold climate, 2ga is NOT enough.

Rod
 
Thanks folks. I went ahead and bought cables through this website's store. Hope that was a good decision!

I will wrap the cables in some type of sheathing. Also purchased a new starter and mulling over buying the DLT4 battery.

Thanks again,
Matt
 
I think 2/0 would be a little overkill for a 3-cylinder, especially considering the short distance. I believe the factory used 1 gauge all the way up to the 6-cylinder tractors.
 
If you have a "Batteries Plus Bulbs" store near you, they will prolly offer the best price on a 4DLT battery. I just put one in my 5610-2 for about 2/3 the cost of a dealer supplied battery.
 
(quoted from post at 06:25:45 01/17/17) If you have a "Batteries Plus Bulbs" store near you, they will prolly offer the best price on a 4DLT battery. I just put one in my 5610-2 for about 2/3 the cost of a dealer supplied battery.

Awesome thank you!
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top