If you put a wood spacer or something in the front of the battery, that keeps the unit pushed to the back of the compartment, which then prevents the battery from being able to be lifted out or falling out in a roll-over or accident.  Be sure to keep the plastic positive terminal cover in place, as well as securing all 4 screws on the metal cover (I also put duct tape on the bottom of the cover for added protection from shorting).  The cover will also prevent the battery from falling out.  The bolt-in metal bracket is "over kill" in my opinion.

Jack R.

-----Original Message-----
From: mcneely4@cox.net [mailto:mcneely4@cox.net] 
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 2:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM; Jack R.
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Group 41 Battery at Wal-Mart

---- "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET> wrote: 
> Jake,

> So, I took out my Wal-Mart group 41 and replaced it with the Group 48...
> A somewhat perfect fit.  The support bracket doesn't fit, but that's a pain
> anyway!

Can the battery be made to fit tightly enough for the support bracket to hold it in in case of accident?  I think the bracket is a safety feature.  I guess I irritate some with what they consider obsession with safety features, especially given that our vehicles are not stars in that regard anyway.  But to me, that's an important reason to maintain what safety margin we can.  If an accident is more likely than with another vehicle, well, I want to take care of the "what if" ahead of time.

Glad to know this battery size is a reasonable substitute for the stock size.  Thanks, David

David McNeely