Just installed Optima Yellow Top

[mtnracer]

I just finished installing an Optima Yellow Top battery in my 2003 4Runner. It took a little bit of wiring and some spacers but it's rock solid now. Will post some pics tomorrow.

 

[mtnracer]

Here are some pics of the finished install. To fit the battery with the stock mounting posts, you either need the optima spacer (which I didn't get) or use some wood shims (which I used for now). I will probably replace the rods with shorter ones today to avoid using shims.

Since the Optima Yellow Top is not available with reverse posts, the stock wiring is a little short. You can make the positive side work without modification but on the negative side you have to extend the ground wire to the chassis.

In my case I just wrapped the stock ground to the main wire with electrical tape and made a new ground wire out of 10 gauge black wire. Looks almost stock.

If you just want to get a high performance starting battery, just get a Red Top 34R. The red top is for starting while yellow top is a hybrid starting and deep cycle. Blue top is deep cycle. With the Red Top 34R you will still need shims but the stock ground should still reach the chassis.

 

[mtnracer]

Another shot:

 

[mtnracer]

Last one:

 

[TimelessR1]

So whats the real diffrence between the red top, and the yellow, and the blue. I always though that a deep cycle battery allowed you to run it completely down, and charge it back up without damaging the battery. Is this correct?

I know that with regular car batteries, if you run them completely down a few times, they do not hold the charge as well anymore.

 

[Mike415]

So whats the real diffrence between the red top, and the yellow, and the blue. I always though that a deep cycle battery allowed you to run it completely down, and charge it back up without damaging the battery. Is this correct?

I know that with regular car batteries, if you run them completely down a few times, they do not hold the charge as well anymore.

ya thats what Ive read