Honda Civic Del Sol Battery Tie Down

thingiverse

I headed down to O'Riley's to pick up a battery tie-down for my Del Sol and all they had was this flimsy rubber thing that was too large. I decided to buy the kit anyway, since it included the "J-hooks" - I've since learned that they sell the hooks separately as well. From there, I designed and printed my own crossmember using my 3D printer. This crossmember is specifically tailored for the Optima battery in my car but, since the battery fits neatly into its tray, it should be compatible with other batteries too - and if you need a bit more space, just adjust your print settings accordingly. The V1 model is the one I initially printed and installed in my car. To fit it onto the J-hooks, however, I had to drill out some of the holes since ABS can shrink slightly after printing. That being said, adding an extra pass or two to your wall thickness might be worth considering in your print settings. The V2 version boasts larger holes that should prevent any drilling altogether and has longer side supports for added stability - though in all honesty, the V1 performed admirably in my experience. This part is designed with ease of printing in mind; I only had to print it once before getting it just right. You might get away with using PLA, but given its intended use as an automotive accessory, ABS is actually a better choice. Its structural design lends to its resilience and rigidity, making it a robust piece - yet still, you must exercise your own judgment regarding its suitability for your specific needs, and I disclaim any responsibility in case of failure or mishap. I created these parts using 123D Design software. Note that even though this crossmember was specifically engineered with my Del Sol in mind, its compatibility is likely to extend to other Civics, small cars that utilize the same battery size included, such as Honda Del Sols and Honda Civic vehicles (or their clones). The battery allowance is roughly 129mm, which means if your vehicle's battery width matches this measurement, you can modify it for optimal fit.