Optima red or yellow top?

93yotaSR5 · 10-03-2009, 11:01 AM

I have a stock 93 3vze. I put some hella 500ff light on, and plan on putting 2 more up front as well as two auxilary light on the back. Should I get a red or yellow top? Thanks

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

olharleyman · 10-03-2009, 11:22 AM

Well if you are not gong to run your big ass stereo off it and not running the truck while parked the red top will work fine.

I use one for my accessories but a standard battery for the trucks general electrical system (ya I do have two battery's so don't think I am talking crazy) and the red top does a fine job but since I run my big ass stereo system I should have gotten the Yellow top for the ability to drain and recharge it with no issues.

limon32 · 10-03-2009, 12:48 PM

Are you going to an Optima strictly for the lights? If your concerned about supplying enough power to run your lights and lots of accesories you may get better results upgrading your alternator. I don't recall what these toyotas have for stock alternators.

Don't get me wrong, I love (and use) optima batteries I just want to understand what you are after.

Red3.slow · 10-03-2009, 01:43 PM

I think the stock alternator in these trucks is 60 or 80A. Don't quote me I'm probably wrong but that's what came to mind

I had a yellow top in my 95 runner, I don't think there is a lot of difference between the two to be honest.

paynemw · 10-03-2009, 01:45 PM

3rd gen is 80A and yellowtop 4 offroading trucks

iamsuperbleeder · 10-03-2009, 01:47 PM

22re is 60amp stock, and the 3.0 is an 80amp stock

I have a 130amp in my 22re to help charge the red top that powers 200 watts of lights, an electric fan, and a 1000 watt stereo, and with everything on at idle she puts out 14.5 volts

93yotaSR5 · 10-03-2009, 02:48 PM

got me a red top . Fits and powers my lights perfect. Thanks for the input

mmcpeck · 10-04-2009, 09:38 PM

Do Optima's really provide any better performance? I know they are more durable, just by design, but don't they actually provide less amp/hrs than a standard flooded cell battery?

Not trying to say one way or the other. I only have experience with Optima's from the boat. I use a Blue top in my boat, but it provides way less amp/hours than a regular flooded cell deep cycle does. It came with the boat and has never goven me any problems, but just wondering.

son209 · 10-04-2009, 10:20 PM

I'd go to sears and buy a Die Hard. I've worked at shops that sold optima and stinger batteries and I think they are junk. I've have a yellow top that lasted me about a two years before it died. It would start my truck but if i played the stereo for more that 10 mins the truck would not start. It was fine when it was new but not as the battery got older. The only time i would run a sealed dry cell battery now is if I'm mounting the battery in the car. My 240z will get one because i'm going to move the battery inside of the car in the trunk. That's my opinion and I'm sure someone is going to argue with me about it.

iamsuperbleeder · 10-04-2009, 10:28 PM

the 78 series red top that'll fit in the Toy is a 710 CCA battery; MORE than enough for the truck's needs. I'm not sure what the yellow top is rated at though

and my red top is 2 1/2 years old, and still going strong, AND I got it second hand. and the monte carlo I had before the Toy, I had the same setup; a 1 1/2 year old red top that I got second hand, and never had any issues with it

10-03-2009, 11:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 3,291	Well if you are not gong to run your big ass stereo off it and not running the truck while parked the red top will work fine. I use one for my accessories but a standard battery for the trucks general electrical system (ya I do have two battery's so don't think I am talking crazy) and the red top does a fine job but since I run my big ass stereo system I should have gotten the Yellow top for the ability to drain and recharge it with no issues. __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 88 stock 4runner 3.0 auto for now 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq.

10-03-2009, 01:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Red3.slow Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little Rock, Ar Posts: 1,182	I think the stock alternator in these trucks is 60 or 80A. Don't quote me I'm probably wrong but that's what came to mind I had a yellow top in my 95 runner, I don't think there is a lot of difference between the two to be honest. __________________ -Miles -Firefighter/EMT T.E.A Taxed Enough Already

10-03-2009, 01:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
paynemw Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: all over Posts: 106	3rd gen is 80A and yellowtop 4 offroading trucks __________________ Matty P 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 5 spd standard, Magnaflow Catback Exhaust, URD Sensor Simulator, ISR, Deckplate Mod, Black Rock 929 16x7's, custom sliders, KMA Multicarrier, URD stage II clutch kit Will be ordered: ShrockWorks front bumper, OME 3" lift My Build

10-03-2009, 01:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
iamsuperbleeder Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Posts: 5,253	22re is 60amp stock, and the 3.0 is an 80amp stock I have a 130amp in my 22re to help charge the red top that powers 200 watts of lights, an electric fan, and a 1000 watt stereo, and with everything on at idle she puts out 14.5 volts __________________ 91 PU, 4wd, manual, 22re, .30-over, engnbldr RV head and 261 cam, MC 1200lbs clutch, misc LCE, engnbldr, and MC parts and HW, Pacesetter header and exhaust kit, Rancho UCA's , 4Crawler 1" diff and sway bar drop and 1.5" BJ spacers, WabFab 3.5" shackles, 31x10.5 pavement-pounding ATs on ProComp Extreme Alloys, misc SR5 interior goodies swapped in, 1000watt stereo system MySpace

10-04-2009, 10:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
son209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Elk Grove, CA Posts: 54	I'd go to sears and buy a Die Hard. I've worked at shops that sold optima and stinger batteries and I think they are junk. I've have a yellow top that lasted me about a two years before it died. It would start my truck but if i played the stereo for more that 10 mins the truck would not start. It was fine when it was new but not as the battery got older. The only time i would run a sealed dry cell battery now is if I'm mounting the battery in the car. My 240z will get one because i'm going to move the battery inside of the car in the trunk. That's my opinion and I'm sure someone is going to argue with me about it. __________________ 1997 4runner 4x4 sr5 Sonoran Steel 1.2 lift 2" body lift 285/75/16 BFG a/t on Weld cheyenne 6 wheels 4.88 richmond gears performance products f&r sway bars Wabfab front sway disconnects Wabfab rear sway endlinks 1973 Datsun 240z w/sr20det swap (work in progress) Greddy intake manifold Megan exhaust manifold B&M short shifter OS giken race clutch & flywheel r200 rear end racaro seats energy suspension master kit

10-03-2009, 12:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
limon32 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kenai, AK Posts: 179	Are you going to an Optima strictly for the lights? If your concerned about supplying enough power to run your lights and lots of accesories you may get better results upgrading your alternator. I don't recall what these toyotas have for stock alternators. Don't get me wrong, I love (and use) optima batteries I just want to understand what you are after.

10-03-2009, 02:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
93yotaSR5 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: sacramento ca Posts: 191	got me a red top . Fits and powers my lights perfect. Thanks for the input

10-04-2009, 09:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
mmcpeck Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 425	Do Optima's really provide any better performance? I know they are more durable, just by design, but don't they actually provide less amp/hrs than a standard flooded cell battery? Not trying to say one way or the other. I only have experience with Optima's from the boat. I use a Blue top in my boat, but it provides way less amp/hours than a regular flooded cell deep cycle does. It came with the boat and has never goven me any problems, but just wondering.

10-04-2009, 10:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
iamsuperbleeder Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Posts: 5,253	the 78 series red top that'll fit in the Toy is a 710 CCA battery; MORE than enough for the truck's needs. I'm not sure what the yellow top is rated at though and my red top is 2 1/2 years old, and still going strong, AND I got it second hand. and the monte carlo I had before the Toy, I had the same setup; a 1 1/2 year old red top that I got second hand, and never had any issues with it __________________ 91 PU, 4wd, manual, 22re, .30-over, engnbldr RV head and 261 cam, MC 1200lbs clutch, misc LCE, engnbldr, and MC parts and HW, Pacesetter header and exhaust kit, Rancho UCA's , 4Crawler 1" diff and sway bar drop and 1.5" BJ spacers, WabFab 3.5" shackles, 31x10.5 pavement-pounding ATs on ProComp Extreme Alloys, misc SR5 interior goodies swapped in, 1000watt stereo system MySpace

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search