I need to replace my battery cables. The negative cable on my 1991 f150 is about impossible to get to where it attaches to the block. Any ideas of how to get to it to replace or ideas on where to attach the new cable if I can't get to the old to take off?

 

From what I remember, you'll need a ratchet/socket, an open end wrench and lots of patience. You might need to disconnect the smog pump for better access if it's really a bear for you to get to.

This is assuming you have a V8.

 

I have a second battery (-) cable attached to the frame. I don't know why you couldn't do that and do away with the ground to block.

 

Isn't the frame ground for the electrical stuff such as headlights, turn signals, etc and the engine ground for the starter? That was always my take on the design.

 

I ran a separate frame ground when I upgraded to the 3g and added the fans and such. Would it not perform the same way as the block mount? Seems like there are ground straps from the block to the frame. I'm not sure.

 

The more grounds the better. I'm thinking of changing out my body/frame grounds and engine/body grounds. My engine/frame is a 4ga battery cable, fixed my hot start issue until recently.

 

The other engine to frame grounds are the driver's side rear lower intake manifold stud, passenger's side upper intake manifold and battery to frame right in front of the battery.

A bit off topic, but I had to relocate that lower intake manifold ground because I went with all new intake manifold bolts. When I bought my hydraulic wire crimper, I ended up adding a few 4 gauge grounds to other locations on my truck and upgraded the stock grounds and it seemed to help with the electronics such as the turn signal blinking a bit faster and the gauges no longer wildly wavering and I noticed a slightly smoother idle among other things.

Anyway to the OP you might want to remove that smog pump for clear access.

 

Hi, just curious how you replaced your neg batt cable in your 91? I have same truck and forget it...no way you can access the end of cable attached to the block. I'm hoping you were able to connect to frame or block somewhere with much easier access and can tell me where. Thanks..

KC

 

I just changed my negative cable yesterday and I had no issues reaching any of the bolts. I have the 4.9 and I used a long extension to get to the ground bolt on the frame and crawled under the truck and used a short socket to get the negative off the starter. If you have a V8 then I cannot provide any recommendations as I do not not know that set up. Rockauto had the exact cable I needed and its a SMP (very reputable).
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...14583&jsn=1440

 

I just changed my negative cable yesterday and I had no issues reaching any of the bolts. I have the 4.9 and I used a long extension to get to the ground bolt on the frame and crawled under the truck and used a short socket to get the negative off the starter. If you have a V8 then I cannot provide any recommendations as I do not not know that set up. Rockauto had the exact cable I needed and its a SMP (very reputable).
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...14583&jsn=1440