3rd Gen Battery Options

[kball]

Yeah, I'm not going to justify blowing the wallet out for a $100+ battery. In my case, I don't have all the extra power components (onboard air, massive sound system) that I've read about on these forums.

My 97 wouldn't start last night... Got the multiple clicks when turning the key, no starter engagement. All interior lights worked though, it still had the low amps to do that. Then I checked the battery and had significant corrosion on the posts. I had just taken the battery out and cleaned it up less than 2 months ago right after I got the truck; I was surprised at how fast that corrosion built up. I trickle charged the battery all night with a charger, and had the same problem the following morning after ~10 hours of charging. When I took the battery to Napa, it failed the tester. Then we noticed the sticker on the side of the battery... Sold in Dec 2003! That explains it. Got a Napa brand OEM replacement for right at $100.

From my experience of buying a used vehicle... Be sure to check out when the battery was sold by looking at the stickers on it. Although it might hold a charge, it might give you an idea of how much longer you might expect it to last. The sustained below freezing temps up here finally shut down my old battery, but the old girl made it a full decade! I don't want to let it get that far again if able.

This is exactly why I spend a little more on AGM batteries. All 3 of my cars have zero corrosion! If you got another regular battery I would spray the terminals with some protectant to keep the corrosion at bay.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

You can find them for $150 or less but Optima Red Tops are not top of the line but pretty dang close. I love mine and put it through hell and back and its been a champ!

Yep. I love my Optima red top too. Started the truck a while back sitting outside in -17F cold spell we had and the cold crank power is fantastic. Cranked like it was 70 out.

We'll see how it does down the road. My factory original Toyota battery lasted 11 years (nope, not kidding). Just put in the red top last year.

 

[broncosi]

As an update, I still have my original Red Top (going on 5 years) and it's going strong and hasn't failed me yet!

 

[T4R2014]

Has anyone tried the Duralast Platinum?

 

[kball]

Has anyone tried the Duralast Platinum?

Yep, I have two of them. Only had them both for 2 years now but no issues.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I worked at a sawmill as a electrician from 93 to 2008. During that time we used a few different brands.

I remember AC Delco and Diehard. May be one or two others.

Around 98 we switched to Interstate Battery's.

I've used interstates when we switched cause of the discount. I asked the maintenance supervisor why all the switching around and then keep interstate for 5 years.

His reply was simple. They were the last battery he tried that didn't come back. I.E. Go bad.

We had a fleet of logging trucks. 20-30. Plus large 15ft fork loaders and smaller loaders. as well as around 10 center articulating loaders. And many vehicles that never left the property.

That is a lot of battery's in use with the potential to go bad.

I've been using them ever since.

 

[pluton]

Get the best battery your budget will allow.
Agreeing with those that have said that the battery is important.
I like not having a brittle plastic box filled with liquid sulfuric acid in my car, in case I slow roll it out in the middle of nowhere.
Several hours of H2SO4 from a fractured or overturned battery dripping on the frame could cause nasty damage.
Hence, I like AGM batteries. No liquid.
I couldn't find a Die Hard Platinum Group 34 with reversed terminals, and I didn't want to have to un-reverse the terminals, so I got an Odyssey 34R.
But, the budget allowed it.

 

[bike]

Bought a northstar battery some time last year after my last battery died on me. No complaints what so ever. The cost was high but now that it's over the piece of mind makes it all worth it. Drained it pretty bad more than a few times with the winch and it just doesn't seem to care. It's continued on when friends dual battery land cruiser wasn't up to winching anymore. Cranks like a teenager no matter what temp it is outside, and a few weeks ago was -30c.

 

[Qyota]

Bought an Interstate (MegatronPlus, 800CCA) about a month ago, and it has been awesome! It hasn't been above 0F much of this month...and the truck fires up with authority every time. It's -25F right now, and I know when I go to work, it'll start easily.

It was $130 from a local Interstate dealer...well worth the price, knowing I got a high quality battery with local support/service.

 

[bpowa]

I use costcos batterey.. 3 year full replacement no questions asked. 700cca. Plus they are everywhere.

 

[TheDurk]

I use costcos batterey.. 3 year full replacement no questions asked. 700cca. Plus they are everywhere.

Me, too. With a 5-speed, cranks like a MF no matter the temp. Plus a 5-speed can always be started with a push or a pull. Non-slushboxers have a lot less to worry about here.

 

[J.Graham]

Deep Cycle?

Flame suit is on
Any reason no one seems to be using a deep-cycle? About $80 from Costco. 685 cranking amps. Small mod to extend positive cable for reverse posts.
I don't know much about batteries but I thought this was a good idea when I did it several years ago!

 

[LittleCaesar]

Just like Kball I am using the Duralast Platinum AGM and have had zero problems with it in six months.

 

[bpowa]

Never seen deep cycle used on cars. But shouldn't be an issue. I think if you have enough cca its fine.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Flame suit is on
Any reason no one seems to be using a deep-cycle? About $80 from Costco. 685 cranking amps. Small mod to extend positive cable for reverse posts.
I don't know much about batteries but I thought this was a good idea when I did it several years ago!

Deep cycle batteries are made to be deeply discharged (50-80% of capacity) and thus will have less CCA's than a comparably sized starter (normal) battery.

Using a deep discharge battery where a start starter battery should be used (your car) or using a starter battery where a deep cycle battery should be used (your boat/RV) will shorten the life of either.

 

[krenaud33]

Bought an Interstate (MegatronPlus, 800CCA) about a month ago, and it has been awesome! It hasn't been above 0F much of this month...and the truck fires up with authority every time. It's -25F right now, and I know when I go to work, it'll start easily.

It was $130 from a local Interstate dealer...well worth the price, knowing I got a high quality battery with local support/service.

Just bought one of these yesterday for $139.95, we are having record low temps the past few days. So far the battery has been good.

 

[white_n_slow]

Sears Die Hard Platinum. Check out the stats, its the best battery on the market, IMO. Yes, it is a deep cycle, and yes I find that useful for my use of the vehicle. I camp, I let accessories run, I leave the truck for extended periods of time (not my DD).