There used to be a hybrid tray that put a 67 style tray into the 66.   You might want to look for that.

I think I am the originator of the idea. I welded a 65-66 brace to a 67 tray and bolted it in place.  Then the repro sheetmetal companies copied the idea and started selling them.
That is how it is done but not really necessary unless you want the 67’s factory hold down rods to work with it.
To get the 24” radiator to fit in a 65-66, you can simply trim off the useless extra part of the 65-66 tray where the original battery hold-down clamp bolted on. If you plan the job out, leave a little extra metal to dolly vertically to re-form the vertical edge you just cut off, then grind it smooth with a flapper wheel, you can make the modification virtually undetectable. Then weld on a bracket for the hold-down rods.

This shows 67/66 hybrid tray with 24” radiator

Todd5.0 wrote:

Ron I read your tray post and like that idea

Steve, thanks for all the photos. They help a lot. The battery in your pic looks smaller than a 24F. My rusted out battery apron needs to be replaced. My thought was just weld in the 67 battery apron and use the 67 tray as well. This will be for servicing the car and not permanent.
Long term goal is installing battery in the trunk using Ford Tempo Diesel battery cable parts. These cars had the battery in the trunk. This is a junk yard find.

In re-reading your original post, I see that you are wanting to install a 24" radiator. My install was with a stock radiator, so MS's suggestion may be more applicable to your install.
 

I have been using an H5 size battery since 2018.
Just another suggestion for a smaller battery.
H6 size might fit, not verified.

Those are nice charts Rufus.

I would also suggest a size that is common to find too.
The H5/Group 47 is common in modern cars like Mini’Coopers and VW’s.

If you select a battery in the charts, it shows additional info and comparable sized replacements…if any.

Last edited by Nos681 (1/05/2024 6:22 PM)

Thanks for all the suggestions.  The easiest method for me, would be to buy the CJ Pony Parts PN M3535A for $20.  Cut it apart and weld the mounting bracket to the long length of the tray and then bolt it in to the factory 66 style battery apron.