Sorry to double post, I meant to include this in my last note but hit the button too fast. How the heck do I remove the OEM battery? I could get a much better look at this nut if that battery weren't in there. I see a torx (I believe its a t30) bolt that appears to be holding it down. When I use a ratchet and start turning it, nothing seems to happen. Am I screwed again?

 

so you pulled the AC bolt and sounds like you lost the pressure so it will have to be re-gassed,

the other well just cut the nut off but dont damage the thread if possible or find another place to clamp the ground wire

 

there should be a clamp holding the battery in place on the lower edge, and yes that ground cable is well shot and the cause of your problem

edit: dont forget your radio code when you remove the battery and when you put it back on put the live on first then the ground because that's what resets the airbags

 

Cutting the bolt off completely I can get down with. Should I sink a new bolt somewhere near where the current ground is? Will that be a sufficient ground for the battery?What ifput the cable on that A/C bolt (there is plenty of room on the thread) and cap it off with a new nut?

Are any of these good ideas or am I showing my ignorance?

 

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dont connect the ground wire to the AC bolt

 

Ok,

If you're going to ground in a different location, just cut the cable off right next to the bolt. No need to cut the bolt if you're not re-using it.
Then the big bolt right next to the stripped one looks like a good ground for the new cable. I wouldn't mess with the ac-related bolts.

 

So do i need to remove the torx where #4 is pointing to remove the battery? I took a ratchet to that earlier and it felt like it was just spinning... could it possibly also be stripped?

 

The big nut is connected to the front right suspension.

 

Won't use that bigone then. Probably wouldn't able to get it off anyway.

I'm thinkingof just drilling a hole in the metal wall that separates the battery compartment from the engine and putting bolt there. Would that work?

 

How long is your battery cable? stock length? I'd try to find an existing bolt/location nearby myself. there have got to be some possibilities.
You can always get a longer cable if you need to.