TechWrench
Senior Member
Well, I now have 116k on my '03 and the oem Panasonic battery is still going strong. Will it make it through another northern winter................Time will tell.
2004 4Runner still on OEM Panasonic battery
- Thread starter Jed
- Start date
Well, I now have 116k on my '03 and the oem Panasonic battery is still going strong. Will it make it through another northern winter................Time will tell.
Mileage has absolutely nothing to do with battery longevity. Adding water will do nothing.
TechWrench
Senior Member
Well, my oem Panasonic battery finally died on me last week, but it was from 'sabatoge', and not a 'natural' death. I just picked up a new 'Landscape' trailer to haul my ATV and yard tractor to camp. This was the first trip with it loaded. I didn't notice any thing unusual on the way there, but did notice that the tires were a bit close to the fenders. The trailer is rated for 2,990 lbs, and weighs just under 900 empty. I had my Polaris Sportsman 500 HO (weighs in at about 750, my Wheelhorse 416H (at about 500), three 5 gal jugs of water, three 5 gal gas cans, some assorted tools and equipment (about 200), and about a face cord of wood. I don't know the exact weight, but thought the load was within the trailers limits. The trailer towed well, and I made it to camp without incident. 6 days later, after packing up to leave, I checked the trailer lights, and noted that the right side tail/brake/running lights were not working. I checked, and eventually found the wire harness on the right side of the trailer had been 'cut' and was dragging on the ground. It looked like the wires had been crushed at the separation point, and there wasn't enough slack in the harness to just splice them together. So, I tied the loose ends up, out of the way, and expected to drive the 75 miles back home with the lights as they were. It was getting close to night fall, and I didn't have the time to mess around with it.
When I got back in the truck, it was then that I noticed that the BATT indicator lamp was lit on the dash. OH SH&T. I assumned that the wire harness, when it was cut, shorted out, and fed back through the vehicle harness and had popped a fuse. Since everything else seemed to be working, and it was getting late, I decided to try and make it home on just the battery. I made it 10 miles to the nearest town (and cell service), called home to warn them of my problem, and put my brother-in-law on 'stand-by' incase I needed help. I checked all the fuses I could find, both under the hood and in the dash box, and couldn't find any bad (I did have a VOM meter). I checked, and the battery read 11.85 volts, but there was no output from alternator when I started vehicle. I decided to try making it home. I got another 15 miles to the next town, but by then (with headlights on) i realized I wasn't going to make it the rest of the way. The headlights had dimmed to parking light level, and I was getting other warning indicators flashing on. I made it to a Mobil mini-mart just short of the interstate I had to take, and decided to wait there for help. I didn't want to breakdown on the interstate. While waiting for my B-I-L to meet me, I again checked all fuses and relays, and found nothing. He arrived about 8:00 pm, and he didn't have a tow hitch receiver on his vehicle. I called a neighbor with a Ford PU, who did have a hitch receiver, and he agreed to meet me so I could at least get the trailer and equipment home. An hour and a half later, I got the trailer home. I wasn't comfortable leaving the 4Runner where it was overnight, so I went to the only place open at that time of night, WalMart, and bought the best battery they had (Everlast MAXX-24F), took it to the vehicle, installed it and the engine would now start. I drove it the rest of the way home (about 45 miles) on the battery, and made it home. The next day I called around, and no one in the area had an alternator in stock. NAPA was able to locate one in Conn., and promised to have it at the local store by the next evening. I picked it up Friday evening, installed it Saturday morning, and all looks good, so far. I put the old oem battery on a charger, and after 24 hours, it now reads 12.36, and might still have some life in it. I will keep it as a back-up.
As for the trailer, it seems that the manufacturer ran the wire harness's under the wooden bed, next to the outer frame rails. But, when the u-clamps that hold the axle to the springs hit the bottom of the bed, from the load, they cut the wire harness which was run right above them. The right side was completely cut through, and the left side was badly damaged. I had to splice in new wires on both sided, and route the wires away from the axles to keep it from happening again.
So, in the end, the oem battery would probably still be going if it wasn't for the 'sabatoge' caused by the poor trailer wiring. :redbrick:
peter78
Super Moderator
OK, I am impressed with the 2004 Panasonic battery. It is still running fine with 10 years and 131,000 miles. My 2001 4Runner had to get it's 3rd battery 2 days ago. It was acting up and being rather slow.
I guess I will keep the Panasonic battery in the 2004 until it too shows signs of aging. :thumb:
I guess I will keep the Panasonic battery in the 2004 until it too shows signs of aging. :thumb:
Kmvreter
New member
I'm an advocate for keeping the Panasonic alive with maintenance (see http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/39626-06-battery.html). However, I finally replaced mine at over 10 years, 6450 engine hours, 301500 Km (~187K mi.) It wasn't a catastrophic no-start failure as it was still holding 12.3V after 24 hours of being disconnected. It tested at less than 50% with 331 CCA (spec is 710 CCA) even though the indicator eye was still blue. It had an excellent run and I hate to see it go. I'm not sure if it contributed to my alternator failure (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...r-alternator-removal-assistance-required.html) but I don't want to risk it.
The specified standard replacement is a Group 24F or an optional larger Group 27F. Shopped around and found the best deal was a Canadian Tire Eliminator 24F with 800CCA/120RC and 4yr/10yr warranty. A MotoMaster 27F with only 750CCA and 3yr/9yr was the same price at C$120 +tax. I would have gotten an Eliminator in the 27F but they don't make it. Couldn't justify the 50% cost increase for the 24F CT Ultra AGM with only 710CCA/120RC. Stealership wanted C$205 for a 24F with 2/7yr and others couldn't match the 800CCA.
The specified standard replacement is a Group 24F or an optional larger Group 27F. Shopped around and found the best deal was a Canadian Tire Eliminator 24F with 800CCA/120RC and 4yr/10yr warranty. A MotoMaster 27F with only 750CCA and 3yr/9yr was the same price at C$120 +tax. I would have gotten an Eliminator in the 27F but they don't make it. Couldn't justify the 50% cost increase for the 24F CT Ultra AGM with only 710CCA/120RC. Stealership wanted C$205 for a 24F with 2/7yr and others couldn't match the 800CCA.
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Finally replaced my panasonic battery after 10 years and 203,000 miles. It was a good run but I went to get it charged and autozone said the plates inside the battery had come in contact with each other and had made some sort of acidic smell and wouldn't hold a charge. Went to Sams Club and got an energizer battery that was size 27. I think it was $99. Wanted to use costco but they didn't carry that size. Hope everybodys battery lasts that long.
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BlueBalls
New member
04 with 152k checking in on stock battery. I've even killed it a few times and had to jump due to amped stereo while the truck was off (though it did take around 4 hours to drain it on a 600w system)
I'm sure when the funds allow I'll be looking into another yellow top. Had one of those in my Cheep-- I mean Jeep GC running 2000w no problem
I'm sure when the funds allow I'll be looking into another yellow top. Had one of those in my Cheep-- I mean Jeep GC running 2000w no problem
peter78
Super Moderator
I been moving to Florida and have been putting a lot of miles on my 2 4Runners. Last week, my wife said the 04's battery seemed a little week. When I came down with a load of stuff in the other 4Runner, I checked out the battery. It seemed a little weak so I tried it a few times and the third time it started to click.
So, I replaced the Panasonic battery, the original battery on the 2004 last week with a 146,000 miles.
I have replaced the 2001 battery 2 times, so the Panasonic has been the longest lasting battery by far.
So, I replaced the Panasonic battery, the original battery on the 2004 last week with a 146,000 miles.
I have replaced the 2001 battery 2 times, so the Panasonic has been the longest lasting battery by far.
BrightLight7
New member
My original Panny battery just died on me this morning. After a temp of 19 last night, it couldn't start this morning. AAA came and did a test for me and BOOM it's push 250, when we need 650 to start in cold. Well panny...it was nice knowing you. Original battery in my 2003 T4R with 120k on her. You'll be missed my dear.
macgyver_ga
New member
This amazes me that these factory batteries are lasting this long. We bought my wife an '06 w/ 94k miles on it a couple months ago and I was surprised when I saw it still had the original Panasonic battery.
The Panasonic in my old '07 tacoma went out at 45k miles.
The Panasonic in my old '07 tacoma went out at 45k miles.
black4vcobra
New member
RIP Panasonics. My 06 T4R with 99k on it still has the original battery and I'm keeping it until it completely dies. It already discharges if I leave the interior lights on for 10 minutes and it was already cranking slow last winter when really cold so I have been lugging around a Duralast Platinum AGM battery which is the best battery you can get for the money. I can jump my truck off of the battery and it has saved my butt a few times.
Duralast Platinum/Battery 34R-AGM at AutoZone.com
For those of you who don't like Autozone parts, this battery is not made by them. It is a rebadged Deka Intimidator. Intimidator 9A34R Group Size 34R AGM Battery - Remy Battery It has 750 CCA's and at 41 lbs it is about 10 lbs lighter than lead acid batteries.
viggen337
New member
My truck still had the original Panasonic when I bought the truck last year. For an '03 with around 100k, I was very impressed! I replaced it with an Optima Yellow Top and I can guarantee you that won't last another 100k or 10 more years. Although I plan to eventually add a second battery, so I guess I'll never know.
silverbullet07
Member
2004 4runner OEM battery still going......
My OEM battery is still a ticking in my 2004 with 104,000 miles. Would like to find another Panasonic to put back in her in the future.
Update: 110,000 now and still ticking
My OEM battery is still a ticking in my 2004 with 104,000 miles. Would like to find another Panasonic to put back in her in the future.
Update: 110,000 now and still ticking
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S p a r k y
New member
My 2004 went until this past fall and 123k. Would love to have another!
