Correct battery tray/hold down sizes

[1960HDGMC]

Hello, I have a 1960 GMC Model 1002. The Battery Tray was for a 29NF Type Battery. Is this standard? When did the 1960-66 GMC trucks switch to the modern footprint battery tray? I had to modify my tray to accept a modern footprint battery. Will a newer tray designed for modern batteries bolt right up where my 29NF tray is? I run an Optima Yellow Top Battery, because it is the best battery I have ever run up on. I do not want a Billet anything on my truck, but I see they make a wrap around hold down for the Optimas. Has anyone ever used a 1957 era GM wrap around (painted stamped steel) type hold down with one of these factory battery boxes? it looks like it would work and look clean too. Any factory or modified battery box pictures sure would help. Thanks for any help, Greg Mead

[1960HDGMC]

Here are a few pictures of my battery tray. It was made for a 29NF battery. Has anyone ever seen a 1960 GMC with a 29NF Type Battery? Were they common at one time? When did GMC change the Battery trays to accept the modern type batteries? I had to cut and bend to get a modern battery in. Surely there is a fix that will look at least close to original, and still take the newer battery size. I do not care for the billet aftermarket stuff designed for the Optima Battery. They are great batteries, but I wish they had a NOS looking option. Any help greatly appreciated, Greg Mead

[1960HDGMC]

Here are the 1960 and 1961 Operating Guide pages concerning batteries. The 1960 page is first ,and has the B series battery placed differently than the 1961 page. The 1961 page shows it out on the fender step area, while the 1960 page gas it tucked away inside. The conventional battery box that I am dealing with is the same both years. I find it odd that GMC failed to mention the Battery Type in the Operating Manual. I assume it is described in the OPP, but I have yet to find one to read. Does anyone know when GMC changed to the modern type battery tray? Will the first new type trays bolt right up with little or no modification? Any help greatly appreciated, Greg Mead

[1960HDGMC]

I found some answers in the 1960 GMC Maintenance Manual. There were two battery options for the 1000 Series trucks. I bet they each had a specific battery tray. This would explain why I had a 29NF battery in my truck, in a tray that looked too original not to be. Anyone ever swapped to the bigger tray? I bet they bolt right in.