Had to replace battery today...

[Gordinho80]

So I was at a Doctor's appointment today and when I got out, my truck wouldn't start. Dead battery.... nothing was left on, it was just it's time. So I got a jump and home I went... Did my research and with the suggestion of many people, decided to go with a DieHard Platinum.

Went to KMart Auto Service to pick one up... DieHard Automotive Battery, Platinum P-4 - Group Size 34/78DT, $189 plus $10 core. I hadn't removed the original yet. Brought it home and swapped them out. FYI, please try to have all necessary ratchets, sockets, and wrenches for this swap. Using an adjustable wrench and some grips is not the best method, nor the easiest. I used what I had available as all my tools are at my house, not where I was at the moment.

Anyways, haven't driven yet, but the truck started right up. We'll see how this battery works out...

[teebes]

Arggh, dead batteries suck! My OEM went out shortly after I started desert trips (aka, washboard and plenty of it).

Those diehard, are they the rebranded odyssey batteries??

Glad it happened before the big trip

[Trail X]

That's my understanding. Apparently both Platinum and Odyssey are made by EnerSys. Same batteries, different branding. I heard about it first from ExPo: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/s ... hp?t=14285

It's been my plan all-along to get one, and with my winch finally arriving, I think I will have to get one tomorrow! I thought I might be able to use the stock battery for now, but I don't believe it has top terminals. No way to hook up 'ze winch!

Did they have the P-4 group in stock, no problem? Do they still have the side terminals? I assume so.

[Gordinho80]

P4 group was in stock and yes, it has the side terminals, but also includes top terminals. I would take a pic, but I put the cap back on over the battery so you wouldn't see much...

I'm glad it happened today and not during the trip... lol

[MrSmithsTB]

P4 group was in stock and yes, it has the side terminals, but also includes top terminals. I would take a pic, but I put the cap back on over the battery so you wouldn't see much...

I'm glad it happened today and not during the trip... lol

That would have sucked! When mine died, I was food shopping.

[Zero]

i would replace my battery with a Blue top optima batter, its like have a red, and yellow inthe same box. if i was to get 2 batteries, i would get one blue for all my goodies, and as a back up, and power supply when the truck is off, and a red one to keep under the hood for just starting the vehicle. along with a battery isolator, and a built in on board charger that i can just run an extension cord into the truck and plug the sucker in. kinda like what ambulance's, and tow trucks have.


why is it that you guys dont go optima? they are the same price as the diehards that you are running.

[Gordinho80]

Optima quality has diminished over the last few years... here is one person's post from ExPo

Sears discontinued stocking the Optima batteries in 2007 for a few reasons. One of them had to do with failures (high-rate on red tops), which brought about their introduction of their Platinum line. Sadly, they (Optima) have gone down-hill in the past few years and aren't worth the $$$. Of course, that's a personal opinion so take it as such. I'd personally buy a DieHard Gold / SUV battery before a red top for use when major power draws aren't a factor.

The Platinums (mfg'd by EnerSys, who also does Odyssey and Naval submarine bats) are pretty good options and the warranty is hard to beat for when major draws are a factor. It's 4yr full, then an additional pro-rated out to 100 months [aka 48/100]. Price is up there at about $190. Their Gold (Johnson Control) is 36/100 for $110 and their SUV (same MFG as platinum, EnerSys) is 36/100 for $118.

Interstate has a few good options, but those are usually their premium line and the same or more $$$ as the DieHard ones. If you do get an Optima, make sure it's a yellow top. The red top is nothing more than a traditional "start" battery. It's not a "deep-cycle" style battery, where the yellow-top is. Blue tops are a bit hairy since they're intended as marine batteries. Some are "start" service, some "deep-cycle", some both. Depends on the group size.

Also, Optima recently changed their warranty structure (02/01/09.) See their site for more details ( http://www.optimabatteries.com/optima_products/warranty/index.php )

Basically they increased the yellow tops from 12 month free replacement to 36 months (includes audio use or severe service, deep-cycle use.) Basically made it the same duration as the red top. One very important thing to note, which supports my statement about the red tops above being nothing more than a standard starting type battery, is:

Abusive service / Deep Cycle Applications / Car Audio : Not Covered
(found under the new red top warranty section)

General use off-road could enable that clause, but it definitely would be enabled if used for winching purposes. The mere presence of a winch on the vehicle is enough depending on the area and the retailer.

So, in a nutshell. Go with a DieHard Platinum or a yellow-top Optima, the Odyssey, or similar. Stay as far away from the red top as possible (no longer an issue since they have same warranty now, just a price difference.)

[teebes]

I guess I've been lucky w/ my red top so far. It's been a couple years since my oem croaked and the red top has shown no issues after quite a few miles of trails. Since then I've added a yellow top in the rear of my truck and recently adopted an odyssey (in the trailer).

I'll be sure to post up if I run into any issues with any of goods.

[Dizzlenator]

We were talking about this on the OS....my buddy works at Advanced Auto Parts, and I went looking for a new battery, I asked for the dates on his Optimas (yellows and reds) and he had 1 from 2009 (June). Every other Optima he had was from 2 years ago, or more. Brand new battery, but when they sit for a long amount of time, they seem to lose some of their use in life....Not sure why that is, of course, and I never had any problems out of my 2 (1 in Mustang, and 1 in my old Tacoma) and I loved them. But, I do believe that I'll be rolling with the Advanced Auto Platinum battery, thanks to his discount.

[Gordinho80]

I bought an Optima a few years back from PepBoys... it was a solid battery. I've only had the DieHard for a week, but its been a tough battery. During the night run at TECORE, with all the lights on and such, I noticed very very little to no power drop... was pretty consistent at 14v.

When the time comes to do my dual battery setup, I don't know which battery I'll be using. I don't want to shell out another $190 for a second battery...

[Zero]

ok so whats everyone's opinion on the blue top batteries from optima. they seem to have the best of both worlds (red and yellow top)

[HARDTRAILZ]

Some good info here. I think my battery is about done and was thinking red-top, but not anymore. Need to do some searching for a decent priced replacement.

[janesy86]

Just had to get myself a new battery this AM, because the original was shot. Got up at 6am to go to work but the TB wouldn't unlock with the fob, so I used the key.... and nothing.

So I had to wait for some where to open because no one had a car to jump me. Would have liked to get the platinum but Autozone doesn't have it so I settled for a DieHard Gold. They did have Optimas but because of this info I opted away from one.

Popped it in and started right up. Now I'm sitting here at work wishing I wasn't, after this nice long weekend.

And how come the Optimas which are priced @ $175 only have a 3 year warranty compared to the 7 years with my $100 DieHard Gold? Seems a little weird to me.

[KE7WOX]

It seems like the Optimas are just overrated by now, I've seen them in 3 countries now, and people just say that they are the best of the best. I was planning on getting one until I read all the stuff about them, and went with the same Platinum that Mario (and a bunch of people here) have.

[SteveTB03]

It seems like just about everyone on here and on the OS do not like the optima's cause of life and all that.

I bought an optima yellow top like a year and a half ago and I've never had a problem with it I've even left my truck in the accessory slot while camping once with the radio on all night and it started right up no problem.

I don't know why they are so expensive for you guys I got mine for like 112$ installed at tire works in Vegas IIRC

[KE7WOX]

The issue is mainly with the red tops, which are regular batteries, the yellow tops are deep-cycle. One of the main issues was that the warranty of the red ones was voided by "deep cycle applications" or something like that. Some dealers voided warranties based on the fact that there was a winch on the vehicle, as that could be considered a deep-cycle application)

[irishboy02]

Im on that platinum list as well. Love it

I made my decision on the fact that the new generation red tops are sucking majorly as per reviews from many different types of applications. Also, the platinum has 880 CCA (cold cranking amps) as opposed to the 800 of a red top. Not to mention 8year warranty as opposed to redtop 3.

Plus im a lover of CRAFTMAN and sears (where i purchased the battery from) has been great to me and everyone i know with dealing with warranties so couldnt go wrong. 189.99 + $10 core so after tax it was 196. A little expensive but combine that with my new H.O. alt and its powerful setup

[Mooseknuckle]

I too have that Battery and I love it. I'm also a Sears and Craftsman tool lover. I bought mine at Sears. Roughly same price.