Elementary Battery Question

Okay - this is a very elementary question, but I can't figure it out. How the heck do I get to the battery to remove it?? I have unscrewed the bolts holding the relay box that sits on top, but no matter how I rotate it, the relay box won't come off! Do I need to also remove the cross-bar that the relay box sits on?

In the past I've only had older (read: easy to work on) cars were all the basic parts in the engine are easy to get to. When I was troubleshooting a recent problem with the van (turned out it was the battery), I was shocked by how hard it is to get to everything. I read the post about changing the plugs and am dreading when they finally need replacing.

Thanks for the help!
Venecha

Yes you need to take the fender brace off and tie the relay box out of the way.

The plugs are actually not that bad. they make a tool that goes in place of the torque struts on the front of the motor that allows you to draw the motor forward making the rear plugs much easier to change. You may be able to rent one at Auto zone. I bught one at Harbor Freight tools for around $25, and it has more than paid for itself in saved knuckles and reduced cussing. follow tmorris1's advice on the battery swap.

The plugs are actually not that bad. they make a tool that goes in place of the torque struts on the front of the motor that allows you to draw the motor forward making the rear plugs much easier to change. You may be able to rent one at Auto zone. I bught one at Harbor Freight tools for around $25, and it has more than paid for itself in saved knuckles and reduced cussing. follow tmorris1's advice on the battery swap.
That special tool that I found was called a ratchet strap tiedown. It worked like a champ.