Ok I had a few electrical gremlins that I traced to the battery cable on the drivers side positive terminal that has the lead for the alternator and also runs to the rear of the fuse block. The problem is now it got me thinking, looks like a few of the terminals have been swapped around. Here's the layout. Passenger side is fine, side post ground to top of intake manifold, side post positive to starter. Now here's where it's a little twisted I think. The long in-between feed cable for the 2 positives run from the top post on the passenger side to the side post drivers side, the cable in question that I'm tracing my problems to(which was on the truck when I bought it), has one of those temporary top post terminals that you slide the bare cable(s) in and the 2 bolts hold the cable in place. That has the alternator feed and runs to the rear of the fuse block. Obviously that cable with the temporary terminal on it has to go. But what do I replace it with? Do I get a side post style positive cable for the alternator and fuse block, and replace the in-between feed cable with 2 top post styles? As always, I know somebody out there will know! TIA. James.

So does your battery have both top post and side post?

Yes, Top and Sides. Was snooping around on here and saw a few trucks that had side posts only. I'm guessing the in-between feed cable has a special terminal on both ends so that it fits the other positive terminals? I found a truck parts catalog that has the correct 70" long cable and the drawing looks like it has the right terminals on it. May buy all new cables just for peace of mind. Am I on the right track here?

Most of us only have side post, like me. You are in the right track. But if you have top post, you are more flexible. I am using the brass terminal that actually have thread on both sides, one side is threaded to the battery side post while the other end of terminal for the cable tightened with a nut. I used the side post battery cable from the alt and the fuse block. Some people here use a 1.5 in length bolt with a few nut to get all the cable (I forgot the diameter of the bolt). If you want to utilize your top post, just remember that you have to buy the dual post battery next time you replace it. I am sure somebody who has both post can tell what they use. I hope this help.

STA - I have the Dual-Post batteries, specifically for that reason.

Changing the connection setup on the passengeer-side battery so there is only one cable on each post, (as you described) solves a lot of problems that are associated with the screwy setup that was there from stock.

My Driver's side battery has both cables on the side posts.

On the Passenger side, the crossover cable goes to the top post, and the starter cable is stock location and style. That means my 70" cable (using your numbers - didn't measure mine) has 2 different ends on it.

After watching all the problems that have been caused by the 2-cables-on-one-side-post setup, I think this is just another thing that GM screwed up on that can be improved on these trucks.

jifaire, I'm thinking if I make my own feed cable (70") with top post terminals on both ends, and buy the proper factory cable (side post with alternator lead and goes to the fuse block), that should take care of what I need to accomplish. Thanks also for your input JMJ. Diesel Place soes it again!

For a great battery cable thread on building and installing, check out:
"battery cable question" by bornready6.5 in this 6.5 forum.
(I can't link to other threads. Maybe I'll figure it out someday)

The thread in question can be found here (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53537)

Didn't have time to look through the whole thread, but will definitely have to check it out and read it thoroughly. Took care of mine this morning. Bought a battery cable with ends on it for the drivers side alt. and fuse box. Then switched the feed cable to both top posts. Seems to start a little better, but will wait for it to sit all day and try to start it cold (oxymoron word down here in Florida during the summer) tonight.