8 rivets hold in the spare tire carrier as well as 4 bolts that hold up brackets(too thin to call braces if you ask me). Take off the bed(you almost HAVE to take the bed off to do any work back there). Grind off the rivets and bang them out with a punch and sledge. Heat helps too, but if your going to burn them out(oxy/acetylene), watch your cutting if you plan on reusing the holes. The tire carrier is in there pretty tight. I tried fighting with mine trying to twist it out but just ended up cutting the center and splitting it in half to drop it out. Excessive, but it worked. If your not up to making a rear battery holder bracket, Dan at "ruffstuffspecialties" makes an outstanding Dual Optima battery holder for things just like this. One of the best in the business if you ask me. You may want to run the cables from the batteries on the passenger side frame rail instead of the drivers side. Last thing you need is an accidental short between the positive and ground near the fuel lines turning your diesel fuel into a bomb. Just all food for thought. And there is nothing wrong with using the heaviest stuff you can afford. It will be worth it in the end, just make sure you support it sufficiently as it travels along the frame. Especially if its welding cable.
