Jon,
This has been posted many times and recently within the last couple of
weeks.... Lay it on its side.... top terminals pointed forward; side
terminals up... notch the lip of forward battery box to pass top terminals;
notch lid to prevent contact with side terminals.
I called Optima and they were quite specific that the warranty would be
voided by cutting the top terminals.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Clay <Jonyqest22@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, April 01, 2000 2:11 PM
Subject: optima owners

>hey everyone,
>With camping season here (almost), i am now getting around to installing ye
>ol' yellow top battery.  Bought the battery, made sure it would fit, and it
>does.....sort of!!!!
>I guess what the project has amounted to it this.......battery fits
>vertically but it is going to be a major PITA to get it hooked up with the
>side terms. that way, not a lot of room either way (forward/backward).  Ye'
>ol' yellow top with fit laying down, to mounts pointed forward,.....but i
>would have to chop off the top mounts.  I've tried calling the place i
>purchased the battery, and there not in.  I also called sears and she does
>not recommend doing so...."safety sake".  Has anyone done this or can this
be
>done to begin with.
>any sugg from other optima batt. owners will be appreciated
>tia
>jon
>90 westie
>