Battery help… Still have the OG from manufacturer...
- Thread starter 4RUN07
- Start date
YotaDriver
New member
I can see I'm late to the party here, but I just put a new Sears Diehard Gold 27F in my 4Runner back in December. I also had the rear wiper making a single pass at startup and I had already noticed somewhat slow cranking when we got our first really cold snap up here in New England. I was sad to see the OEM Panasonic go, but it gave this rig eight good years of service so no shame in eventually failing.
I was excited to go out and start my car when I was up in Vermont over the new year because it had sat for three days without being started in -12 degree weather. It cranked right up and started, albeit with a little whining for about a half second when it first fired up.
Pay the $120 or $130 and get some peace of mind.
I was excited to go out and start my car when I was up in Vermont over the new year because it had sat for three days without being started in -12 degree weather. It cranked right up and started, albeit with a little whining for about a half second when it first fired up.
Pay the $120 or $130 and get some peace of mind.
Last edited:
You can get any battery. you'll be fine. I replaced my battery using Exide 2 years ago and it works fine. Decent price too. go to this site, exide.com and you'll find a place where you can buy it. Just make sure to measure before you go, measure your battery LxW.
don't expect your battery will last that long in your location. Florida? Heat kills a battery quicker. I'm in the northeast and i have a 2005 4runner v6 and i replaced my battery only 2 years ago. if i did not accidentally leave my keys and completely discharge my battery, i might still have it today. but it's a good thing it happened since this winter, weather here is extreme. my battery lasted 8 years. in your location, maybe a lot more shorter. give yourself some peace of mind, replace it already and be worry free in the next 6 years.
Thank you YotaDriver. Not late at all! I am the chatterbox it seems... This post actually just started late last night lol Anyway... Thanks for the battery suggestion. Adding it to my list and comparing prices/quality when I go battery shopping on Saturday.
Radlynx - I am going to just buy a new battery. It's alot of work charging it and doing things I don't know what I am doing when I CAN be worry free and not have my car doing possessive things...:flame::doh:
Kmvreter
New member
Ok I got it! Thank you. Now if I could just get instructions on how to add water...
Here's some links and there is one in that thread that leads to more:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/62199-panasonic-battery.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/39626-06-battery.html
Use a large Philips head to unscrew the six caps. Add distilled water only. Screw the caps back in. Eazy.
Here's my take on it...
Do you buy a replacement tire when you have one that's low on air? No. You add air, which is doing maintenance.
Although the battery says maintenance free it's not. Do maintenance (add water) and it will last. Not sure about others but heat is the enemy to this battery because the water evaporates. I'm guessing that so many are replaced in the south because they aren't maintained and then they prematurely fail.
Your's hasn't failed yet. Why spend money on something to replace what is one of the best batteries I've seen.
Not sure what the alternator amp output is but I was able to resurrect mine years ago and it's still strong, even now up in the cold north. Putting it on a trickle charger will no doubt help.
As many others around here feel, getting to know and working on your T4R is priceless. I didn't know about the battery until I had the same issue as you. I learned from this forum and it saved me $$$ on lots of items.
If this were a poll, my vote is Save The Battery!
Last edited:
Both caps lead to the same compartment? I am going to give this a shot and at least get me through the weekend. I plan on purchasing a new battery but I also don't want to get stranded somewhere. Anyway, there has been so many good posts and you are about the only one that has really pushed trying to save the battery. I AM going to give it a shot. Why not? :usa:
Thank you!
Kmvreter
New member
That's the spirit! It's not a cat or dog but you can do it.
There are 6 cells in a 12 volt battery.
Sorry, no pics.
There are 2 raised areas at the top center of the battery (not sure if there was originally a label across each; remove the labels) with 3 large plugs in each. The plugs are roughly the size of a quarter and have a "cross" (Philips head) shape enabling you to unscrew them. Be careful (common sense) handling the plugs when you have them out because they are wet from battery acid.
Fill each of 6 cells individually. Don't overfill and spill.
Perfect. This is tomorrow's project + a trickle charger for 8-10 hours per another member :banana:
I told my mother about doing this and she told me that she tried this once and the battery exploded... any concerns with that?
Kmvreter
New member
And the outcome is...
(Not sure how to explode a battery, unless you are charging it wrong?)
Battery help… Still have the OG from manufacturer...
Ok so... Added distilled water to every cap... 6 of them. Approximately 6 oz of water in each until the line was up to "high line" bought a low amp charger and charged it on 1 amp for 8 hours took the charger off really late, about 2 am... I started it up after I removed the charger. It struggled to start twice, both times I started it. And woke up this morning to a dead battery.
I think it's time to buy a new battery...
:-(
Ok so... Added distilled water to every cap... 6 of them. Approximately 6 oz of water in each until the line was up to "high line" bought a low amp charger and charged it on 1 amp for 8 hours took the charger off really late, about 2 am... I started it up after I removed the charger. It struggled to start twice, both times I started it. And woke up this morning to a dead battery.
I think it's time to buy a new battery...
:-(
Update---
Had the battery replaced with Auto Zone's brand battery
Read the reviews... First one was from a T4R owner saying he was replacing his beloved Panasonic that he got 8 years out of. He was pretty satisfied with the battery. I am as well. The sound of my baby starting strong was music to my ears. And it only cost me $108 with discounts, coupons, etc...Thank you everyone for all your advice and posts! I really appreciate everyone's help!!
PS - had the ol' Panasonic tested for shitsandgigs and it was only holding 100 CCA when it should have been in the 700's.
Had the battery replaced with Auto Zone's brand battery
Read the reviews... First one was from a T4R owner saying he was replacing his beloved Panasonic that he got 8 years out of. He was pretty satisfied with the battery. I am as well. The sound of my baby starting strong was music to my ears. And it only cost me $108 with discounts, coupons, etc...Thank you everyone for all your advice and posts! I really appreciate everyone's help!!
PS - had the ol' Panasonic tested for shitsandgigs and it was only holding 100 CCA when it should have been in the 700's.
Optima's website lists this model as the one for our 4Rs.
OPTIMA® Batteries 8020-164 35 REDTOP® Starting Battery
Where did you get your info?
Bob
I got my info from trying it for myself when I was an optima dealer for a couple years. We have been using the 34R for years, and all 4 of my 4runners have one as well as my Sequoia, Tacomas, and T-100.
The 8020-164 and the 8003-151 are nearly the same battery.. The 34R has a little higher amps, and is about a 1/4" larger making it fit better in Toyota trucks.
There is no reason you cannot rune the smaller 35 series battery, but there is also no reason not to upgrade to the 34 series. The 80-90 amps more is nice to have when you are running a winch.
Kmvreter
New member
Odd the Optima selector on their website doesn't tell you all the choices. So the 34 is larger than the 35? Odd numbering system!
The 34 is a little larger and it has 80-90 more amps. That's the only difference.
Here ya go.......
Battery Model: 35
Part Number: 8020-164
NSN: Number applied for, product currently available
UPC Code: 8 11405 00164 2
Performance Data
Cold Cranking Amps: 720
Cranking Amps: 910
Nominal Voltage: 12 volts
Open Circuit Voltage (fully charged): 12.8 volts
Internal Resistance (fully charged): 0.0030 ohms
Capacity: 44 Ah (C/20)
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 100 minutes (25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)
Physical Characteristics
Plate Design:
High purity lead-tin alloy. Wound cell configuration utilizing proprietary
SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®.
Electrolyte:
Sulfuric acid, H2SO4
Case: Polypropylene
Case Color: Dark Gray
Cover Color: “OPTIMA“ Red
Group Size: BCI: 35
Post Type: SAE Post
Weight: 31.7 lb
Length: 9.38 in
Width: 6.75 in
Height: 7.69 in
And
Battery Model: 34R
Part Number: 8003-151
NSN: 6140 01 475 9357
UPC Code: 8 11405 00151 2
Performance Data
Cold Cranking Amps: 800
Cranking Amps: 1000
Nominal Voltage: 12 volts
Open Circuit Voltage (fully charged): 12.8 volts
Internal Resistance (fully charged): 0.0030 ohms
Capacity: 50 Ah (C/20)
Reserve Capacity: BCI: 100 minutes (25 amp discharge, 80°F (26.7°C), to 10.5 volts cut-off)
Physical Characteristics
Plate Design:
High purity lead-tin alloy. Wound cell configuration utilizing proprietary
SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®.
Electrolyte:
Sulfuric acid, H2SO4
Case: Polypropylene
Case Color: Dark Gray
Cover Color: “OPTIMA“ Red
Group Size: BC I: 34
Post Type: SAE Post
Weight: 37.9 lb
Length: 10.06 in
Width: 6.88 in
Height: 7.88 in
Hope this helps. I know some people will only put in what the guide says, and that's fine, the 35 series will work. The 34 is just a bigger better battery.
Ahhh, no they don't. Johnson Controls makes Kirkland batteries. They also make Interstate and the Toyota batteries along with Diehard and several others. They are made to the companeis individual specs and what makes a Costco and interstate battery so good is they use virgin lead. Not sure of the other brand batteries, but I bet Diehard does also.
DallasGooner
New member
Saying no is wrong too, was just trying to keep it simple. Johnson makes batteries for tons of people, one of them being Interstate. Interstate then slaps a Kirkland sticker on some, Toyota stickers on others, Honda stickers on others, etc. But Kirkland buys from Interstate which was my point.
