I gutted mine as well. I don't remember how long it lasted, but not more than 3 or 4 years at most.
I put a Odyssey PC925 in it. That was 3 years ago, and it too is starting to crank slow. But better a $157 replacement.
Should have taken more pictures, but here we are.
Good job.
I seen guys who cut bottom put but cutting the top off to.me is the way to go.
I started mine by cutting a window in the bottom but it soon became obvious that wasn’t going to work due the solid construction of the plates being attached to the top.
So I grabbed my sawsall and CAREFULLY. Cut off the top. Once it was all cleaned up, and internal cables attached, I siliconed the top back on to bottom. Perfect. I mean perfect. I made a bottom (not really necessary) out of 1/4 plywood and some 1/4” bolts to serve as locating pins. The batter hold down serves its purpose of holding everything together, and secure to the tray.
