Main battery earth - best setup?

[Mark2]

The battery in my Land Rover 110 sits under the passenger seat. Currently the one and only earth lead from the battery runs from the -ve terminal, along the LH chassis rail, accross the bellhousing and terminates on a bolt mounting the starter motor. This lead is about 2m long. (the battery positive lead is also about this long) There is also a short strap from the engine to the chassis near one of the engine mounts.

I was thinking that if I ditched the long earth lead and ran a much shorter battery earth lead to the rear of the transfercase which is only about 30cm from the battery box, I might get less voltage drop? Is this worth doing? It seems that the long earth lead setup is from the factory, I'm trying to think of good reasons why they would have done this...............

[drivesafe]

Hi Mark2, there is probably a problem with bringing the earth through the transfer case because if it was viable, LR would have done it in the first place and saved a bucket load of money.

What you could do is leave the existing cable in place and add the second lead as you suggested.

Cheers

[Mark2]

I know what you're saying, but what would the problem be?
I have a feeling the army 110's run a short earth lead and being diesels would draw a lot more cranking current than my petrol V8...........