09 Battery access a joke.

[VIPER GTSR 91]

While washing the car today I noticed underneath that the red/positive cover was not in place and just hanging there. Another factory inspection issue that did not happen. But whats worse is their design to access the battery. 5 huge extra long bolts just to keep the cover on where just 4 plastic zeus type fasteners would work, save weight, cost, and be a lot easier to get to the battery.

 

[kcobean]

I'll give you $100 for that poorly designed piece of junk. I'll PM you my shipping address. Thanks.

 

[redtanrt10]

With a power tool I get the cover off in 30-45 seconds and can get the battery out in another 30-45 seconds. You had a gen II, you can't jack the car up and remove the LR wheel in the time it takes to get the cover off. If your worried about weight take the owners manual out of the glove box, it would probably be a wash for the cover and the bolts.

 

[Neil - UK]

the five long bolts could be a safety thing, you wouldnt want a battery hitting you on the back of the head, or a cost saving if they had over stocked on bolts

 

[PaViper]

I'll give you $100 for that poorly designed piece of junk. I'll PM you my shipping address. Thanks.

With this big of a flaw, you better negotiate for "shipping to be included", otherwise you will have too much invested to ever get your money out

 

[Flexx91]

While washing the car today I noticed underneath that the red/positive cover was not in place and just hanging there. Another factory inspection issue that did not happen. But whats worse is their design to access the battery. 5 huge extra long bolts just to keep the cover on where just 4 plastic zeus type fasteners would work, save weight, cost, and be a lot easier to get to the battery.

Yeah.... could be little better but I'd take that any day over my '96.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

I'll give you $100 for that poorly designed piece of junk. I'll PM you my shipping address. Thanks.

Still waiting on the PM. Talk is cheap.

 

[AviP]

While washing the car today I noticed underneath that the red/positive cover was not in place and just hanging there. Another factory inspection issue that did not happen. But whats worse is their design to access the battery. 5 huge extra long bolts just to keep the cover on where just 4 plastic zeus type fasteners would work, save weight, cost, and be a lot easier to get to the battery.

You are lucky. The Gen 2 has it behind the left rear wheel requiring wheel and mud flap removal. The funny thing is that it there were all sorts of low center-of-gravity claims at the expense of a PITA.

And if I'm not mistaken, hasn't the Gen 3/3.5 added about 50-100 lbs to it's weight.

When it comes to engineering for performance, I like how the *** motorcycle manufacturers work. They keep improving the engine without increasing displacement. So a 600cc stays within 50cc of the stated displacement over the years. Horsepower keeps increasing. And weight keeps reducing. Of course, they don't have tough crash standards but still the engine improvements are worth some merit.

 

[MarcRoth]

WOW Sounds like a Lemon Law Claim....

 

[kcobean]

Still waiting on the PM. Talk is cheap.

LOL...Well, I'm a realist. I wouldn't expect much more than "find a lake and jump" in your reply.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

With a power tool I get the cover off in 30-45 seconds and can get the battery out in another 30-45 seconds. You had a gen II, you can't jack the car up and remove the LR wheel in the time it takes to get the cover off. If your worried about weight take the owners manual out of the glove box, it would probably be a wash for the cover and the bolts.

Good idea on the power tool use. They use a funky type torx bolt in stead of a simple slot type too. An ounce of weight is not a big issue with me but when the pig weighs almost 3400 lbs. and Dodge is trying to reduce weight in the Viper (recent thread) it all adds up. Funny no one has addressed the factory lack of inspection part.

 

[VIPER R]

I always thought the battery was over the wrong wheel.

 

[J&R3xV10]

thats the lamest complaint I have ever heard.