AROC

I am looking for a battery as well right now, just bought my Toy pick up and the battery is pretty much shot. I have been shopping around and I am in between going with Optima or just a normal battery. I had an Optima Yellow top on my explorer and it only lasted 6 months so that sucked since it cost twice than brand X (No warranty...out of the country). Judging from what I've read in this thread looks like any decent brand battery buying their higher end model is more than enough and a safe bet. Those diehard platinums looks pretty sick!

xxxtreme22r

0 issues with my Duralast Gold I had mentioned earlier. Pretty Sure Tofer hasn't had any with his either.

Tofer

Sold the truck that had the duralast gold but had no issues the couple of months I had it

Badger62811

OK I'm sure he's gotten the answer he was looking for.. but I'll chime in.

Bi-Mart (for those of you in the Pac NW) I think it's rated for 640 CCA. All fine and dandy for Oregon/Washington territory. Installed this one in July-ish of 2009. Although it did start here in CO when it was 20 below zero, I would LOVE to have something with a little more amperage so that I don't have to wonder if it will turn all the way over.

blake.nemitz

im digging the c channel aluminum hold down, i am also copying it after work thanks

AROC

I went ahead and got a LTH Hi-Tec Battery, OEM 640. Its their higher end battery... 85 bucks. I have one on my other truck and its pushing 4 years problem free so hopefully it will work the same

Tkotct

The Walmart Marine Grade battery seems fine, just keep up on the battery levels every so often (once/twice / yr) (& simple filtered water from my PUR water pitcher filter). Not ever had a problem, & at least 3 yrs in.

JoeS

Recently, replaced an 8 year old Optima Yellow top (Charge/Deep Cell) that was a work around for a parasitic drain no one could find. Lasted long enough to start in the morning then recharge driving around. Found the drain when I replaced a bad starter. So, I bought a regular starting battery this time. Did some research and seems every brand was loved and hated equally. Seemed none stood out. That being the case, I went with price, warranty, and easy replacement any where. Bought an sale Walmart Everstart Maxx 800 CCA Grp 34 w/3 year replacement (#4312245-996994) for $139 online delivered. Much cheaper tha most brands. Been just over a year now and not an issue. Cranks great and engine starts 1st crank within seconds. Overall very pleased. Highly recommended.

2ToyGuy

Personally, I prefer the Optima battery. The don't outgas acid mist nearly as badly as a regular, liquid filled, lead/acid battery does. I put a pair of marine terminals on, manufactured new cables for them when I bought my truck, the pickup, and they stay clean as a whistle. I pull them once a year, simple job of unscrewing the wing-nut, and brush them off with a brass wire brush. Just a habit. Put them back on, screw down the wing-nut, bingo, done.

Also, with an Optima type battery, I never need to check the fluid level, or add any fluid.

I've heard, although never experienced it myself, that since Optima moved south of the border that doesn't exist, that the quality of them has dropped. I wouldn't be surprised, just never experienced it myself.

All just my opinion, and we all know what those are worth...
Pat☺

Discombobulated

I’ll add my experience with optima, bought a red top in 2011 when I got my truck, lasted 11 years, AWESOME!!!

Bought another one when it pooped, lasted 2 weeks, dead, bad cells? No clue but it was poo, got another one that lasted a month, same thing, it took a poo. Got another one and it’s been fine. About the same time I replaced the first one I got one for my STI that I never drive and have on a tender, after a week of it being installed noticed the tender was just always charging, annnnnnnnnd again same thing as my truck batteries, ugh.

Got another one and it’s been fine, so YES, quality has gone to poo, very hit or miss.

Needless to say after these poo I’m going to look at other brands…..and holy moly batteries have gotten expensive!!!!!!

coopster

Perfect timing on the posts.
I have a couple of Optima Blue tops I literally picked out of the trash. (Was horrible cold on location, our daytime high was -30 ish. Frac super had night shift mech "throw those POS's in the trash".)
Now some 9 years later one of them doesn't hold much of a charge above 10v. They won't fit in the engine bay anyway.

Anyway now think I'm ready to see if my swap will even start, so will need at least one batt. My nephew has a PS ford. He says the only batteries that last at all in that are NAPA Gold - i think is the name. But dang. $209 here in CO.

And my second batt will be inside the cab, so I'd like something that also is sealed. Altho the batt box has a vent tube (if I remembered to route it outside).

Guess the Group 34 was the factory 2nd and 3rd gen originals?