Battery cable

[Jeepmedic46]

My 2000 XJ has been having trouble starting. Was sounding like a dead battery. Got the battery and alternator tested and both were good. Apparently I need new battery cables because of corrosion. Should I go with a heavier cable as I intend to put a winch and lights on the Jeep? Will a garage install the heavier cable as I can’t get on my Back because of injury and surgery?

 

[smritte]

It’s going to depend on the shop, their knowledge of aftermarket and their willingness to go search for a thicker cable that actually fits. The heavier cable will do the most for your starter, the smaller one that comes off the battery is for your accessories. If you install a winch, the cable will be separate and go straight to your battery, lights...ect, you will want to add in a seperate fuse block and that goes to the battery.
I build my own cables using welding cable and heavy ends. This way I can choose how long and how thick. Finding heavier premade cables is difficult and sometimes unnecessary.

 

[64Trvlr]

It’s going to depend on the shop, their knowledge of aftermarket and their willingness to go search for a thicker cable that actually fits. The heavier cable will do the most for your starter, the smaller one that comes off the battery is for your accessories. If you install a winch, the cable will be separate and go straight to your battery, lights...ect, you will want to add in a seperate fuse block and that goes to the battery.
I build my own cables using welding cable and heavy ends. This way I can choose how long and how thick. Finding heavier premade cables is difficult and sometimes unnecessary.

I agree making your own custom cables is the way to go, all my battery and winch cables are 2/0 welding cable.

Since you're having a hard time doing it yourself how about getting a couple of buddys to help you do it. It would make a good day, getting a project done right and maybe some burgers and dogs for lunch.

 

[LostWoods]

I would absolutely go fatter if you're replacing them anyway but not necessarily because you are attaching a winch. For your winch you should run dedicated 2/0 for both and tap the battery directly so the rest of your electrical is irrelevant.

For accessories, I typically do a split like a 0 AWG positive and 2/0 negative so you can run them via dedicated power and body grounds without issue. Any competent shop should be able to order and install custom length cables for you but personally, I don't trust most shops to properly make them. As a former computer/electrical tech, most people really half-ass electrical and battery cables are very prone to corrosion if done poorly - especially somewhere in the northeast like MA.

If you have a boat/marine shop near you, many will do custom cables and in general, they take proper procedure much more seriously with how dangerous an electrical fire can be on the water and how prone electrical is to problems in a salt environment. They normally use heavier lugs with proper double crimps and generally seal the cable so you'll see fewer issues.

 

[Downs]

Check www.jeepcables.com That's where I got my prebuilt set of XJ battery and ground cables. I could have built them for cheaper but the guy does top notch work, and it's something I don't regret spending the money on. Any decent shop should be able to put them in for you.

XJ Battery Cable Upgrade — JeepCables.com

Made in USA. Top quality parts & service. More power and better performance.

www.jeepcables.com

Good choice to replace them. Nearly every XJ at this point that's still moving should be replacing these cables. No telling how many Jeeps were sold or sensors replaced prematurely due to just bad grounds.