Just bought my Optima Yellow Top battery for my Y2K 4Runner and when I did the test fit yesterday I found the main battery leads to the fuse block and the ground leads do not reach the top posts properly. After looking at some options I though about getting longer cables (aftermarket) or re-routing the factory ones. The winch battery and ground cables are not an issue as they have plenty of slack. It is just I do not want to change out the factory battery and ground cables only to create issues with possibly getting inferior aftermarket cables or creating issues with the ground points. I am going to be installing a battery disconnect for the winch positive lead so it can be energized only when wheeling. If in an accident there will be no potential of the winch battery lead shorting to ground since it is in the bumper and stands a higher chance of getting smashed during a frontal collision. I am using a McMaster-Carr battery switch part #69685K79 which I have on order. It is the same battery switch as used in firetrucks and such and has plenty of current capacity for my application. It is actually a dual-battery manual switch but I will only be using one of the inputs at this time.

Since the Optima has top post and side terminal mounting I thought about hooking up the winch to the top posts and coverting the factory cables to side post mounts. The Optima doc says to use the side posts for vehicle starting only and to use the top posts for both vehicle starting and heavy accessories such as audio systems, lights, etc. But is says nothing about using both the side terminals and top posts at the same time. I don't see it being a problem as they both look bridged to the same bus. Has anyone else done this and how did you approach it. My search did not turn up what I was looking for. I found dual-battery stuff but I am not at that point yet but I will be doing that later down the road.

Thanks for the input in advance.

Ricochet