Battery Recommendations?

[gamefreakgc]

Hi All,

My Costco battery (4 years old) that's in my 4Runner when I bought it is showing signs of giving up the ghost. It will sometimes crank over once or twice and then fall flat on its face. Other times I get nothing but a "click". It's been leaking a tiny amount of acid as well.

Here's what I've done so far as far as power demand:

• Installed new car audio system, including two small amps and a subwoofer. I think this put my poor battery over the edge, after testing and trouble-shooting for a few weeks the battery has stopped working well.
• Will be adding an LED light bar in the near future.

Here's what I've done to help the flow of power:

• Big 3 wiring upgrade
• LED interior lights (so when my wife leaves the door open all night the battery isn't dead)

I'm looking spend less than $150 on a battery that will perform well with a more powerful audio system but also provide plenty of CCA's. I don't want an oversized battery that will not fit or has reversed terminals if it can be avoided. I don't live in a cold climate, lows in the high 20's in winter but highs in the 100's in summer, but I do occasionally go up in the Sierras where freezing weather is normal, sometimes in the negatives. Wondering what you guys have used that has been reliable and long lasting.

 

[Contreeboi808]

With all that upgrades I would suggest optima yellow top, thing is it's over the budget you want to spend. Imo it be well worth it tho

 

[GSPRunner]

I've had a Diehard Plattie for about a year now. I'm pretty happy. I have a habit of leaving my stereo on for waaaay too long when we are camping or whatever and she always fires back up.

 

[gamefreakgc]

With all that upgrades I would suggest optima yellow top, thing is it's over the budget you want to spend. Imo it be well worth it tho

Yeah, that would be too expensive. $200+ is not what I'm willing to spend on a battery.

 

[sjwelna]

Whichever way you go, get a maintenance free battery (AGM) and forget about having to clean off corroded terminals ever again. I got one of the autocraft platinum AGM batteries from advance auto and haven't looked back. So far so good, going about a year now.

 

[Konkordmusk]

Yeah, that would be too expensive. $200+ is not what I'm willing to spend on a battery.

When I did my dual battery setup, my yellow top only cost me 170$, with shop discount. I'd be willing to extend that discount to you, I may be visiting my folks by sunrise mall this weekend too.

I have a few led lights, a sound system and my red top handles all of them with no problem while the truck is off. Also ran my yellow top hard during a camping trip at the lost coast, charging 3 phones, powering a heated mattress pad and doing all of it in 40 degree weather and it never complained.

Edit: just called for a price on a red top. 150 with shop discount.

 

[gamefreakgc]

When I did my dual battery setup, my yellow top only cost me 170$, with shop discount. I'd be willing to extend that discount to you, I may be visiting my folks by sunrise mall this weekend too.

I have a few led lights, a sound system and my red top handles all of them with no problem while the truck is off. Also ran my yellow top hard during a camping trip at the lost coast, charging 3 phones, powering a heated mattress pad and doing all of it in 40 degree weather and it never complained.

I appreciate the offer! How is fitment with the Optima yellow? I think they are little larger than normal?

I will let you know by the end of the day today if I will go that route. Currently looking at advance auto as well since they often run good discounts.

 

[Konkordmusk]

I appreciate the offer! How is fitment with the Optima yellow? I think they are little larger than normal?

I will let you know by the end of the day today if I will go that route. Currently looking at advance auto as well since they often run good discounts.

I don't run the yellow top in the stock location. I'd be willing to be that it would still fit snug there. The red top is actually a little smaller. The previous owner who originally installed the red top 4 years ago didn't secure it properly, bending the tab on the hold down bracket so I've had to modify it but I know that it can be properly secured with no modification.

Those rags aren't doing anything to hold the red top in place BTW. They're there so I can check my oil and stuff while getting gas!

 

[gamefreakgc]

I apprieciate the input! Looks like it would fit just fine then. I know others on here have used the yellow tops as well for running winches and all sorts of things.

Waiting to see if any other suggestions are given, currently between the yellow top and the Autocraft platinum, since it looks like I can get that one for about $150 with free shipping.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Last year I bought a heavy duty (600+ cold CCA) battery from Costco for my 4Runner and it has worked out great.

I also keep a trickle charger in the windshield when I let the truck sit for days.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZC3TFC

Recently I needed a new battery for my 08 TL but Costco didn't sell a compatible model so I went online and looked at Interstate's website, found the correct one, and went to my local Interstate vendor. The closest one was Firestone Auto and they gave me 10% off the website price.

Car and Truck Automotive Batteries - Buy a Vehicle Battery for Cars or Trucks | Interstate Batteries - Automotive / Truck

Interstate's website says the OEM CCA value for my 97 V6 4Runner was 380 CCA. They offer two batteries. I suggest you go for the better one which is 580 or 600 CCA for the MegaTron II.

$118 - 10% = $106 + tax


:bat:

 

[JeepKiller]

[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION] Sorry its off topic, but dont you have to do the "always on" cigarette lighter mod for this charger to work?

Back on topic, OP I used to love Optimas, but ive seen them start to slowly get worse and worse. My next battery will be a Diehard Platinum.

 

[BrianSD_42]

YeS your CiG lighter would need to be always on.

I ran mine myself and it is always on.

 

[cbr900boy]

My next battery is going to be the Duralast Platinum, I hear good things about them for under $200.

Duralast Platinum/Battery 24F-AGM at AutoZone.com - 2 reviews

 

[JayRolla]

I always get the mid grade, highest output off the shelf parts store battery. They always last me many years. Never had an issue running winches, lights, stereos in the past.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I've had a Die Hard Platinum 34M (same or similar to Odyssey) for a little over a year. I don't drive it much but it's always charged. It runs about 14V while charging. Probably over $200 but I bought mine on sale for about $180 I think.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Whichever way you go, get a maintenance free battery (AGM) and forget about having to clean off corroded terminals ever again. I got one of the autocraft platinum AGM batteries from advance auto and haven't looked back. So far so good, going about a year now.

I agree with this. I'm gonna need a new battery and battery clamps soon. I plan on upgrading to an AGM. The corrosion build-up I'm getting from this cheap battery (from previous owner) is a pain to deal with and the OEM battery clamps are old and tired.

Probably do the Big 3 Upgrade while I'm at it.

 

[gamefreakgc]

When I did my dual battery setup, my yellow top only cost me 170$, with shop discount. I'd be willing to extend that discount to you, I may be visiting my folks by sunrise mall this weekend too.

I have a few led lights, a sound system and my red top handles all of them with no problem while the truck is off. Also ran my yellow top hard during a camping trip at the lost coast, charging 3 phones, powering a heated mattress pad and doing all of it in 40 degree weather and it never complained.

Edit: just called for a price on a red top. 150 with shop discount.

I think I missed your edit the first time! I'm totally down for the red top at $150, I can do that. I will PM you, I'm like 10 min from the Sunrise Mall.

 

[gamefreakgc]

When I did my dual battery setup, my yellow top only cost me 170$, with shop discount. I'd be willing to extend that discount to you, I may be visiting my folks by sunrise mall this weekend too.

I have a few led lights, a sound system and my red top handles all of them with no problem while the truck is off. Also ran my yellow top hard during a camping trip at the lost coast, charging 3 phones, powering a heated mattress pad and doing all of it in 40 degree weather and it never complained.

Edit: just called for a price on a red top. 150 with shop discount.

Not sure if the PM's are working right now, wrote it up and it's not showing up in my sent messages. Let me know if you got it or not.

 

[sjwelna]

I agree with this. I'm gonna need a new battery and battery clamps soon. I plan on upgrading to an AGM. The corrosion build-up I'm getting from this cheap battery (from previous owner) is a pain to deal with and the OEM battery clamps are old and tired.

Probably do the Big 3 Upgrade while I'm at it.

When my battery was on its last legs, when I would try to crank the truck I could literally see the acid vapors gas out of the battery because the caps weren't snapped on perfectly. :shocked: The corrosion on the terminals also got significantly worse/more frequent when it was dying FWIW. AGM is totally the way to go, I believe I went with a group 24.

 

[nissanh]

I have NAPA power "something" since 2008 and it is as good as new. Willl buy Napa again.

NEVER an autozone battery... max life is 4-5 months. I know 2 who had this issue. they'll replace the first battery for free and then after 4 months you want to get new one and they'll refund only 50% and no free battery.