'05 battery life?

[G.I.G.]

The OE Panasonic is amazing...

+1

For an OEM battery, the Panasonic in the 4R is about the best I've owned. It fires right up without hesitation even in sub freezing temps. My 4R is only about 2 and a half years old so my Panasonic performs as good as new.

IMO, if there was only one thing I would skimp on as far as replacement parts go on my 4R, the battery would NOT be one of them! Especially if you 4-wheel, camp, tail-gate (hey, you need tunes!) or find yourself driving anywhere off of the beaten path. Whatever battery you end up choosing when/if the Panasonic dies, make sure it is a good one!

 

[ToyTech99]

IMO, if there was only one thing I would skimp on as far as replacement parts go on my 4R, the battery would NOT be one of them! Especially if you 4-wheel, camp, tail-gate (hey, you need tunes!) or find yourself driving anywhere off of the beaten path. Whatever battery you end up choosing when/if the Panasonic dies, make sure it is a good one!

Yeah, that's one thing I love about the Panasonic... it not only has a relatively high CCA rating, but it also has really good Reserve Capacity. It seems that some battery manufacturers sacrifice RC for good CCA and vice versa. Well, the OEM battery is really decent in both areas. And that's really good for me because I find myself watching movies on my navigation screen when I'm waiting for someone at a store, for example. I'll just sit at the curb and pop a movie into the system and watch for however long it takes until we're ready to hit the road again. The reserve capacity is more than enough to watch an entire movie without dropping the battery charge down enough to interfere with starting the engine. I've done this to my OEM battery over and over again and never had an issue starting the engine afterwards. So I can only hope that the 27F TrueStart is as good as the Panasonic when it comes time to swap it out...

 

[Will_4R]

So I can only hope that the 27F TrueStart is as good as the Panasonic when it comes time to swap it out...

The 27F TrueStart has 710 cca and 165 min rc, which I think is the same as the OEM battery.

 

[ToyTech99]

The 27F TrueStart has 710 cca and 165 min rc, which I think is the same as the OEM battery.

Yup, I mentioned that in another post. I know it matches the OEM battery, but that doesn't mean the battery will be as good overall. I mean, I'm hoping that it is, but I don't know for sure. All I know is that my original battery has been rock solid now for about 6 years. I hope to get another winter out of it, but I guess you never know...

 

[riverwolf]

Um....no. Toyota is going to sell me a 27F TrueStart Battery, which is physically the same size as my OEM Panasonic. It also is rated at 710 CCA and 165 minute reserve capacity, just like the Panasonic that comes in the 4Runner. If I remember correctly, it also has a 7-year warranty. The 24F is a smaller battery, with lower CCA, and is a very common size so it's available everywhere.

The 27F from Toyota is the ONLY battery available that is the same size, has the same reversed terminals, and has the same CCA rating as the Panasonic battery originally installed in 4th gen 4Runners.

If you know of another source, let me know. I certainly couldn't find one anywhere other than the Toyota dealer.

Did you actually read the Toyota guide I linked or anything else I wrote? Let me try again.

There's nothing magical about the Truestart batteries, they're OEM'd by JCI for Toyota NA. 24F/27F are *standard* sizes with *standard* terminal placement. *Any* 24F/27F will fit the 4Runner without any problems...if it doesn't, it's not really a 24F/27F. I think you're getting this reversed terminal thing due to the 34R versus 34 that is required to make the Optima, among others, fit.

The Duralast/Interstate 24F both have more CCA than the Truestart 27F with about 30 minues less reserve...no biggie either way. 27F is two inches longer than 24F, same height and width so there's not that much more room to cram in more energy assuming the same chemistry is used. Chemistry is probably what sets the Panasonic apart.

The Truestart warranty is 2 years replacement/5 years prorated; clearly documented in the Toyota brochure link. The Duralast Gold is 3/5 for a total of 8 years. Not sure about Interstate or other options.

It's true that 27F is less common. Due to the *standard* sizing, a 24F will work in any application that a 27F will fit...same height & width, less length. When you can't squeeze in much more energy, it doesn't make much fiscal sense for a vendor to stock both sizes when the 24F will do everything the 27F does. Only marketing can explain why anyone still stocks a conventional 27F...Odysseys/Orbitals are a different animal entirely. For example...Interstate does offer a 27F, but it actually has less CCA than their 24F...and it has the same 710 CCA as the Truestart....no surprise since it's built by JCI, just like the Truestart. BatteriesPlus actually offers a 27F with 850 CCA and even less reserve than the 24F. I'm sure one could find other brand's with 27F batteries with a little effort.

I don't care if someone buys the Truestart or Walmart's house brand, but you need to stop repeating this nonsense about the Truestart being the only acceptable replacement.

-Brent

 

[ToyTech99]

Did you actually read the Toyota guide I linked or anything else I wrote? Let me try again.



I don't care if someone buys the Truestart or Walmart's house brand, but you need to stop repeating this nonsense about the Truestart being the only acceptable replacement.

-Brent

Did YOU actually read anything I wrote? First, nobody said anything about TrueStart being the ONLY acceptable replacement. What I said is 100% true....NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY offers a replacement that matches the OEM Panasonic in size, CCA, and RC. If someone wants a replacement battery that is the same size (not a smaller 24F) with the same CCA rating as the same RC rating, then yes, TrueStart is the only game in town. But if those things mean nothing to you, then feel free to purchase any brand 24F, as it will certainly work fine. But for me, the combination of CCA AND RC is important. Battery manufacturers typically sacrifice one for the other. So maybe you'll have higher CCA, but lower RC or vice versa. I happen to think that the Panasonic is an incredible battery and the only way to get the same specs is to buy a TrueStart 27F. That's all I'm saying...

 

[ToyTech99]

There's nothing magical about the Truestart batteries, they're OEM'd by JCI for Toyota NA. 24F/27F are *standard* sizes with *standard* terminal placement. *Any* 24F/27F will fit the 4Runner without any problems...if it doesn't, it's not really a 24F/27F. I think you're getting this reversed terminal thing due to the 34R versus 34 that is required to make the Optima, among others, fit.



-Brent

BTW, all batteries are manufactured by one of about 4 different manufacturers. So brands don't mean much to me. I consider the specs much more important than brands.

And yes, our terminals are not in the common position, they are reversed, so that in itself limits our options in replacement batteries.

 

[kimboy]

On the side of the battery there's a high/low indicator. I guess you can determine if your battery needs more fluids by checking. Also, check the color indicator with a flashlight. It's not supposed to be 'lit'.

Mine was still blue, but I run an amp and sub, so I decided a fresh battery was in order.

 

[chaz]

now this just fits ,without any cable modifying, but if you got alot of accessories, it works.

 

[Kmvreter]

now this just fits ,without any cable modifying, but if you got alot of accessories, it works...

Nice. Is that a Group 31? What did it cost?

 

[chaz]

yes its a 31m, if u turn the pic upside down , u can just make out the specs.i got mine on sale last year for 230, yea, i know thats alot of $, & way more than i need, but u cant beat the specs. its like the odyssey 2150? ,but cheaper, ha, ha,maybe good for u , ur in canada , right?

 

[Mark86]

My truck is garaged every night and experienced cold/hot temps. It was replaced after 3 years/50,000 for failing a load test. I was kind of surprised because those Panasonics should last double the time.

 

[riceandpho]

heres what i have, this should help u.
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[Bossman]

When I bought my 03 T4R used in 2007 the dealer put in a new Toyota Canada battery.

Just recently, I began having starting problems and suspected corrosion on the battery terminals. The dealer tested the battery and it failed the load test.

So after only 3 years (and 21,000 kms) I had to replace the battery. I had hoped for 4-5 years.

The dealer dropped in the Toyota Canada 72 Premium battery (group 24F) that has R/C 100 and 585 CCA.

I am also going to invest in a battery charger to help keep this battery fully charged.

 

[kimboy]

Are you cleaning the contact patches of the terminals yourself? If you suspect thats what killed the first battery, why chance it again? Cleaning terminals is easy to do, and i'd skip the charger. Just make sure the install is done right or do it yourself.

 

[DC Dude]

What's a good price for battery replacement?

I've got a dealer coupon to install a true start battery for $85.

2003 T4R with original Panasonic battery with 44.5kmiles.

No start issues to date.

 

[Bossman]

Are you cleaning the contact patches of the terminals yourself? If you suspect thats what killed the first battery, why chance it again? Cleaning terminals is easy to do, and i'd skip the charger. Just make sure the install is done right or do it yourself.

Hey kimboy,

Terminals are clean. I suspect the battery drain was from all of my in-town, short trip driving. Starting takes some of the juice out of the battery, then I don't drive long/far enough to charge it back up. Doing some highway trips once in a while would charge me back up, or using a battery charger.

 

[kimboy]

Hey kimboy,

Terminals are clean. I suspect the battery drain was from all of my in-town, short trip driving. Starting takes some of the juice out of the battery, then I don't drive long/far enough to charge it back up. Doing some highway trips once in a while would charge me back up, or using a battery charger.

Sounds good. I don't have a garage but I find it weird that when vehicles are stored indoors, they don't seem to last as long. That's just my opinion though.

DC Dude, go to walmart and they'll install a new battery for you for free. I'd pay under 65 for the battery and install. You're coupon doesn't get you much from a dealer.

 

[DC Dude]

Sounds good. I don't have a garage but I find it weird that when vehicles are stored indoors, they don't seem to last as long. That's just my opinion though.

DC Dude, go to walmart and they'll install a new battery for you for free. I'd pay under 65 for the battery and install. You're coupon doesn't get you much from a dealer.

Sans coupon, the dealer would charge $125, so it's a $40 discount, and the battery comes with a 2 year free replacement warranty.

 

[Hi-Fi]

Group 31M in a 2005 T4R SE V8?

now this just fits ,without any cable modifying, but if you got alot of accessories, it works.

Chaz,
I know this is a relatively old post, but I'm trying to be prepared for when my OEM battery fails. Did the Platinum 31M fit without any mods to the tray or clamps? If you had to do it again would you choose this battery or another?
Thanks,
Bill