Car Battery Boxes, Trays & Mount Kits

What Is the Difference Between a Battery Box and a Battery Tray?

A battery box encloses the battery on all sides, while a battery tray supports only the base and relies on a hold-down. Trays suit under-hood mounting, where the factory location already shields the battery. A box adds protection and containment, which matters when the battery rides in the trunk or cabin.

You'll also see the terms battery holder and battery mount. Both describe the part that locates the battery and fastens it to the vehicle, such as an open tray, billet bracket, or full enclosure. Many builds pair a tray or mount with a separate battery hold down, such as a J-bolt and crossbar.

Start by deciding where the battery will live. Under-hood swaps usually need a tray that matches the factory footprint. Trunk and interior installs call for a sealed, vented box with a secure hold-down. Once you know the location, you can narrow your choices by material and mounting style.

How Do Aluminum, Plastic, Steel, and Billet Battery Boxes Compare?

Pick the material based on where the battery mounts and how much the finish matters to you. An aluminum battery box from Taylor uses .040 in. aluminum in a 3-piece design with a heavy-duty, 1-piece welded hold-down and included mounting hardware. Its 13.5 in. L x 9.5 in. W x 10 in. H box is also offered with 2-gauge cables.

Polyethylene and plastic boxes cover sealed and everyday installs. Moroso builds a sealed, externally vented polyethylene rear-mount box. NOCO offers snap-top plastic boxes in sizes such as Group U1 and Group 31.

Billet parts suit builds where the engine bay is on display. ICT Billet makes a universal billet aluminum battery tray that fits most car and truck battery sizes. Billet Specialties offers billet battery mounts in polished and black finishes. Steel shows up in universal J-bolt hold-down hardware, which you can pair with many trays and boxes when the original hardware is missing or worn.

Should You Pick a Weld-In or Bolt-In Battery Box?

Choose a weld-in battery box when you're fabricating a permanent mount, and a bolt-in box when you want an install you can reverse. A weld-in battery box attaches directly to the chassis or trunk floor, so it suits race cars and dedicated builds. We carry a weld-in battery box that measures 9.5 in. wide, inside to inside, so check that against your battery before you cut or weld.

Bolt-in and bolt-on boxes fasten with hardware, so you can move or remove them later without cutting metal. Allstar Performance offers a lightweight bolt-on battery box in black, plus a battery hold-down kit for Group 34/78 batteries.

Either way, measure the battery's length, width, and height before you order. Then confirm you have clearance for the lid, the hold-down, and your cable routing. A few minutes with a tape measure saves you from a battery mount that won't close or a box that blocks other parts.

What Do You Need to Relocate a Battery to the Trunk?

You need a sealed, vented box, a secure hold-down, longer cables, and a plan for routing power back to the engine bay. If you race, check your sanctioning body's rules first. Plan the location so the vent tube can exit the vehicle and the hold-down bolts reach solid structure. Taylor boxes meet NHRA Rule 8:1, and the Moroso rear-mount box is sealed and externally vented with a foam-gasket lid.

The Moroso box holds a Group 24 battery and includes 3/8 in. hold-down rods, a vent tube, and grommets. That covers the enclosure, but the rest of the system matters just as much. If you'd rather start with a package, browse our battery relocation kits.

The longer run to the trunk also means new battery cables sized for the distance. Many builders add one of our battery disconnect switches to the setup. Our guide on how to wire a battery disconnect switch walks you through the wiring.

Which OE-Style Battery Trays Fit Classic Chevy and GM Vehicles?

OE-style replacement battery trays are available for a long list of classic Chevy, Oldsmobile, and GM applications. They're made to replace the original tray, so your engine bay keeps a factory look. Each one is a direct swap for a rusted or cracked original tray. Current fitments include:

• 1968-1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass
• 1968 Chevy II and 1969-1974 Nova
• 1962-1963 Impala
• 1965 Bel Air, Biscayne, and Impala
• 1966 full-size Chevrolet and Chevelle
• 1955-1957 Chevrolet and GMC pickup
• 1973-1980 Chevy pickup, Blazer, and Suburban
• 1999-2006 GM trucks and SUVs

Confirm your year and model on each product page before you order. If the original hold-down is gone, add universal steel J-bolt hold-down hardware to finish the install. Pairing a fresh tray with new hardware keeps the battery from shifting on rough roads. For the rest of your electrical refresh, shop the full Batteries, Terminals and Wire category now.