I have a feeling that my battery is going to go out. If I dont drive it for a day and I go to start it, it doesnt crank quite as hard as it normally does, almost like it is not holding a charge. But if I am out and about driving and I go to start, it starts up just fine, So I dont think its the alternator. I am going to go by an autoparts store to check first to determine exactly what the problem is but......


I was wondeirng if i do need a new battery, where is the best place to buy an Optima Red Top with reversed poles? There are some places i looked at online:

here 2 here 1

or is it best to buy local in case I have any probelms I can just take it back to where i got it, Kragen? Pepboys? Autozone?

 

Got mine shipped from http://www.powerstridebattery.com/st...ategory=OPTIMA

 

ive seen them at pep boys and napa also has them. i think exide make a similar battery called orbital, but im not sure how well it performs. do you have a huge stereo system or have alot of accessories to power? if not i would look into the interstate megatron batteries.

 

I got mine from Summit Racing Summit Racing for about $100.

 

MAN!!! You smoked a great deal! I just checked their site, $129.99 now. When I saw this post, I thought "I'm gettin' one." At the local NAPA they want $159.99 for the red top optima's.

 

"Get into the Zone, AutoZone......"
I paid $110 for a Red Top
My Brother paid $110 for a yellow top (damit)

 

We dont have an Auto zone.

 

Doesnt Interstate batteries make an Optima clone that is half the price?

 

I got my Blue top at The Optima Battery Store . They have free shipping. $122.95 for the 800U Red Top.

 

i prefer pepboys to autozone

 

A Yellow top for $110??? where @?????

If you need a new battery, this is the one to get... it's the best battery I know of other than military grade batteries. This thing holds a ton of charge and as it discharges it provides the same amount of power. Also, it is meant to be discharged all the time; it's a deep cycle battery. Awesome for drive in movies or anything battery intensive.

 

I got my dual-post yellow top (D34/78) from tna-sports.com. They have the standard red top for $90, and the dual-post red top for $95.

Here's the site.

 

Those are the cheapest prices for Optimas. My brother in law is a manager for a Oreillys and he cant even come close!

 

Not to hi-jack the thread (i'm going to anyway), but how many years did you (all) get out of your original battery? I'm up to 7.5 now. When its cold sometimes I wonder if its turning over slower. However I haven't wondered enough to actually buy a new battery.

 

I bought my Red Top at Autozone for $110. I should have got it at Costco, cause they have it for $15 cheaper.

Anyway, I got 4 years on the original battery of my 98 Tacoma before it exploded.

For those of you with high mileage on your batteries, make sure the water level is sufficient, otherwise you will have a nice explosion on your hands like I did (maybe). It knocked dents into the underside of the hood and the SA ate the paint. Not to mention it sounded like a gunshot going off at the gas station I was at!

 

I just replaced the original battery in my 96 a couple of months ago. It seemed to be doing fine most of the time, but it did seem to discharge pretty quickly.

 

COSTCO Can't be beat!

 

I was right, My truck died this morning and did not start. I went to 3 Autozone's and 1 Peb boys and none of them had the the 34R. Two of of them tried to sell me the 35 series and the other said to get the 34 and tip it on its side. I ended up going to batteries plus it was a little more expensive, $125, but I think quite possibly they are the only place in San Diego that stocks the 34R. I popped it in and it starts like a champ. I really do notice a difference. Seems like it starts easier.

also when I yanked the battery I noticed it was the original Panasonic that came from the factory. It is kind of funny because if you read this post it seems like the 96 4runners Panasonic battery experienced a very long life. I wonder if Toyota bought a bulk amount of batteries at the begining of the 3rd generation rather than buying progressively each year????

 

-Stu.

 

Yea, mine lasted quite a while as well. I still have it in case I ever decide to go with a dual battery setup. The Panasonic is still good enough to be used to start my rig, but I need something with more run time for some of my accessories.