What Battery To Use?
- Thread starter TranceKrayz
- Start date
greasefingers
New member
68 k miles on 2003 :jaw drop:
hiluxsurf
New member
Well Texas heat is bad for battery as well...
I grabbed a cheap walmart battery for now as a back up...
One in the truck still runs great....
and i got 68K on the truck even though i only drive 1 mile to work each day (one way)!!!.....
Still there is a trip to California and IL is on the horizon......
might hit 80K before its birthday in November....
I grabbed a cheap walmart battery for now as a back up...
One in the truck still runs great....
and i got 68K on the truck even though i only drive 1 mile to work each day (one way)!!!.....
Still there is a trip to California and IL is on the horizon......
might hit 80K before its birthday in November....
HuntRunner
New member
I agree....the optima is the battery to go with (red top).
Hey hiluxsurf, it's been a while.....How are the BFG's holding up now that you have 30K on them? Do you still like them?
Hey hiluxsurf, it's been a while.....How are the BFG's holding up now that you have 30K on them? Do you still like them?
alpine0000
New member
TranceKrayz said:
there is a lot of misinformation posted in this forum about the difference between the red top and the yellow top optima batteries. i will clarify once and for all, and this information came directly from optimas website at www.optimabatteries.com so you may reference it there if you feel my information is incorrect.
Red tops, as some people on here falsely believe, are NOT "made especially for SUV's, nor do they work "better" on SUV's. Whether the Red Top or Yellow Top works better for you depends on your needs, and the details of your application. here is the lowdown
Red Top Batteries - this battery is made as a "starting battery" only. specifically to "Start" your car/truck. it has more cold cranking amps than the yellow top battery, this battery will work better for starting than the yellow top will if you live in cold areas up north. also, if you do not have a lot of aftermarket electronics hooked up in your car/truck, this is also the battery to go with. this battery is NOT a deep cycle battery. this battery is less expensive than the yellow top
Yellow Top Batteries - this battery is a dual purpose battery. dual purpose meaning "Starting" and "Deep Cycle". not only is it a starter battery like the redtop, but the deep cycle is good for those of you who have an extensive after market stereo/video system, or a lot of other electronics such as foglights, winches, refrigerators, etc... that you might run without the car started. this battery was specifically made for cars/trucks with a lot of electronics hooked up. while this battery has a higher reserve capacity and less internal resistance than the red top (which is a good thing), it does have has less cold cranking amps then the red top starter batteries (which isnt a good thing, but it is the trade off that optima makes us live with). the difference in cold cranking amps is 800 for the redtop vs 750 for the yellow top. not too big of a difference. something most people will never notice unless you are in extreme conditions. being that it is dual purpose, this battery is more expensive than the red top (not much though, i think i saw about a $20 price difference when i was shopping around this weekend - "i think")
so as you can see, which battery is right for you depends on your specific application. i dont live too far north so it doesnt get too cold here, plus i also have a lot of electronics in my truck. so for me, the yellow top is the way to go.
If you dont plan on putting any power consuming stuff in your truck, and dont run it for any length of time not started, save some money, get the red top, and be a happy camper.
if you wanna spend an extra $20 (or so), and you do run stuff in your truck when it isnt started, or have a lot of electronics in your truck, get the yellow top and be a happy camper
cheers!
alpine0000
New member
Re: Yellow cost a little more
INCORRECT! Yellow is NOT marine. Not to mention, the marine (actually the blue top) battery and the red top are NO WHERE CLOSE to being virtually the same thing. Optima doesn't make 3 different color top batteries as merely marketing ploy. there IS a difference in the 3 batteries!
The two 'automotive' batteries that optima makes are the red and yellow tops. the "Main" difference between them (keyword being "main", because there are other differences) is one is deep cycle (yellow) and one is not (red).
The Blue top is for marine. this battery is deep cycle, just like the yellow top automotive, but all models come with 5/16" stainless stud battery terminals that work on boats, this is different than the battery terminals on auto batteries (which is usually SAE posts, but also sometimes the GM sideposts). they do make a few blue top marine models that also include Dual SAE posts on them in addition to the marine posts, so you can use it in your car. however, none of them have the side post GM terminals. also, the blue top marine battery is offered in higher CCA amps than the yellow tops and red tops are offered in.
Im surprised that many people do not research this before they buy a battery. this information is not hidden, it is right on optima's website.
then, of course, all optimas have the same usual benefits;
**Lasts up to 2 times longer than other batteries.
**More power in the initial 1, 3, 5, and 10 seconds of the starting process than comparably rated conventional lead acid batteries.
**Constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
**Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged, it can sit unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still provide the power necessary to start your boat's engine.
**15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries.
**Nonspillable and can mount in almost any position.
With only the Yellow top auto and the Blue top marine batteries boasting;
**Starting and dual purpose (starting and deep cycling) models available.
vandert said:
INCORRECT! Yellow is NOT marine. Not to mention, the marine (actually the blue top) battery and the red top are NO WHERE CLOSE to being virtually the same thing. Optima doesn't make 3 different color top batteries as merely marketing ploy. there IS a difference in the 3 batteries!
The two 'automotive' batteries that optima makes are the red and yellow tops. the "Main" difference between them (keyword being "main", because there are other differences) is one is deep cycle (yellow) and one is not (red).
The Blue top is for marine. this battery is deep cycle, just like the yellow top automotive, but all models come with 5/16" stainless stud battery terminals that work on boats, this is different than the battery terminals on auto batteries (which is usually SAE posts, but also sometimes the GM sideposts). they do make a few blue top marine models that also include Dual SAE posts on them in addition to the marine posts, so you can use it in your car. however, none of them have the side post GM terminals. also, the blue top marine battery is offered in higher CCA amps than the yellow tops and red tops are offered in.
Im surprised that many people do not research this before they buy a battery. this information is not hidden, it is right on optima's website.
then, of course, all optimas have the same usual benefits;
**Lasts up to 2 times longer than other batteries.
**More power in the initial 1, 3, 5, and 10 seconds of the starting process than comparably rated conventional lead acid batteries.
**Constant performance quality keeping your battery running at the same level even as it's being discharged.
**Ideal for seasonal use, fully charged, it can sit unused for up to 12 months at room temperature (or below) and still provide the power necessary to start your boat's engine.
**15 times more resistant to vibration than other batteries.
**Nonspillable and can mount in almost any position.
With only the Yellow top auto and the Blue top marine batteries boasting;
**Starting and dual purpose (starting and deep cycling) models available.
alpine0000
New member
Kmvreter said:
KMvreter, you have done your research and you are correct about all of those specs, RIGHT ON!
however, the stock panasonic battery in our runners, and the stock battery location is much smaller than the batteries you listed. which is unfortunate because i really like the specs of the D31A
900CCA!our stock panasonic battery is 10"L x 6.5"W x 8"H
the D31A is 12.8"L x 6.5"W x 9.4"H. the reason for this large of a case is that optima rates this battery (on their website) as a "commercial" battery, and not automotive, like the D34 is.
i measured our stock location, which is about the exact specs of the panasonic battery itself. the D31A battery is WAY too big to fit in the stock tray, and will almost stick out and touch the alternator (measured this in my 02 runner) in width, and the height is way higher than the top bracket can allow
however, the battery that will fit is the D34. its measurements are 10"L x 6.78"W x 7.8"H. this fits almost exactly perfect. this is the battery i am getting. only thing is that it is 750 CCA, as opposed to the 900 CCA of the D31A. i think some major modification would have to be done to the battery area of the runner for the D31A to work. i prefer a dropin replacement. this tells me that maybe our truck isnt a BCI group 31, and is perhaps a BCI group 34?? (i think
) also, keep in mind that this is what i have discovered for my 02 runner, i do not know if the 03 runner has a much larger battery area or not.sucks, but id rather have the optima D34 over the stock panasonic, right?
Kmvreter
New member
alpine0000 said:KMvreter, you have done your research and you are correct about all of those specs, RIGHT ON!
however, the stock panasonic battery in our runners, and the stock battery location is much smaller than the batteries you listed. which is unfortunate because i really like the specs of the D31A
our stock panasonic battery is 10"L x 6.5"W x 8"H
the D31A is 12.8"L x 6.5"W x 9.4"H. the reason for this large of a case is that optima rates this battery (on their website) as a "commercial" battery, and not automotive, like the D34 is.
i measured our stock location, which is about the exact specs of the panasonic battery itself. the D31A battery is WAY too big to fit in the stock tray, and will almost stick out and touch the alternator (measured this in my 02 runner) in width, and the height is way higher than the top bracket can allow
however, the battery that will fit is the D34. its measurements are 10"L x 6.78"W x 7.8"H. this fits almost exactly perfect. this is the battery i am getting. only thing is that it is 750 CCA, as opposed to the 900 CCA of the D31A. i think some major modification would have to be done to the battery area of the runner for the D31A to work. i prefer a dropin replacement. this tells me that maybe our truck isnt a BCI group 31, and is perhaps a BCI group 34?? (i think
sucks, but id rather have the optima D34 over the stock panasonic, right?
I can't go and remeasure right now but maybe I should have been more specific. I'm looking at this info for the 4th Gen T4R. My battery (a 105D31L-MF) is bigger than 10", more like 12.5". Maybe this is just a Canadian import thing. What is the battery model# on yours (3rd Gen?) Can others confirm the battery size and model# in their 4th Gen?
alpine0000
New member
Kmvreter said:
i just bought my 02 4runner last month. the label on the battery had fallen off so i have no model number to go on. the only facts i can derive from looking at it is; it is black, it has raised letters on the side of it that says panasonic, and the measurements are 10 long x 6.5 wide x 8 high (inches of course, i speak of... for you canadians :biggrin2: )
i just noticed that you are in canada KMV... not only may canadian cars be different (although probly not), but your 4runner is also a 4th gen, mine is a 3rd gen.
and what are you guys doing using the american's F'ed up measuring system?? you guys should be using the old trusty system that actually makes sense - Metric!
kidding... :zoom:
Kmvreter
New member
alpine0000 said:i just noticed that you are in canada KMV... not only may canadian cars be different (although probly not), but your 4runner is also a 4th gen, mine is a 3rd gen.
and what are you guys doing using the american's F'ed up measuring system?? you guys should be using the old trusty system that actually makes sense - Metric!
:zoom:
I'm old enough that I grew up with both systems. They both make sense to me. That way I can relate to what you Americans are saying without the use of a translator (or metric conversion calculator.)
JB.
Thanks for the info. I guess we aren't special enough up here to get a different battery.
The D31 batteries from Optima are slightly bigger than our stock size (longer and taller) but there is [...] room to make them fit if we want too for that extra reserve power [edit: check the length due to an A/C line and check the height for hood clearances].
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otterball21
New member
on the subject of batteries
I haven't really seen the need for a blue optima battery in a truck or car. I've used, a yellow top and a red top.
I always use the red top as my starting battery. My accessories ran off the yellow top for sound system.
Both batteries are good, but there is no need for a yellow top unless you really are using a crazy electronic system inside your 4runner. By crazy I'm talking like over 1500 watts and running it with your truck off.
Otherwise, redtop should get you where you need.
Anyone ever see the Optima Orange Tops? Are they real or not?
http://www.schalliol.com/property/cars/Camry/optima.html
I haven't really seen the need for a blue optima battery in a truck or car. I've used, a yellow top and a red top.
I always use the red top as my starting battery. My accessories ran off the yellow top for sound system.
Both batteries are good, but there is no need for a yellow top unless you really are using a crazy electronic system inside your 4runner. By crazy I'm talking like over 1500 watts and running it with your truck off.
Otherwise, redtop should get you where you need.
Anyone ever see the Optima Orange Tops? Are they real or not?
http://www.schalliol.com/property/cars/Camry/optima.html
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alpine0000
New member
otterball21 said:
never seen the optima orange top before. i cant say whether it is real or not.
im jealous of you 4th gen T4R owners who have the 12" wide battery! us 3rd gen only have 10" to work with
Koz
New member
Koz said:
If you guys had read my post at the beginning of this thread you would have gotten all the important differences in each color type in a brief format.
The red is an OEM replacement; if it is used without the motor running or excessive draw while running it will affect the life of the battery.
The yellow will allow the battery to be drained up to 70% and can be recharged with little affect on its life.
The blue top is for marine use and can be completely drained and be recharged in very little time.
I personally will replace my OEM with the yellow top so that I can sit parked (engine not running) listening to the cd (waiting for the wife shopping, etc.) player without having to worry about hurting the battery life.
Koz
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greasefingers
New member
I just looked up a yellow top, at Sears, for the 4th gen. $ 210 bucks for the commercial size (that will fit the dimensions of the tray model D31A). Sounds like a lot of cash. Three times the cost of popular brands :-(
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...bcat=Optima+Batteries&vertical=AUTO&ihtoken=1
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...bcat=Optima+Batteries&vertical=AUTO&ihtoken=1
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