Dieseldude4x4

Looks like the drivers side battery is getting ready to take a dump. It was venting acid enough to eat the battery hold down bolt slam in half. I swapped it to the other side and put the passenger side on the drivers side to see if they will last a little longer. Both of the trucks I have had with the dual battery system have done this.

Is anyone out there switching batteries side to side on a schedule of some sort?

duner

i can't see where that should make any difference at all.

Cowhand

If one goes, the other isn't far behind. The bad one is putting a higher load on the good one.
My originals went bad on the driver's side, last set went bad on the pass. side.

Hate to break it to ya, but it's time to dig deep. Optima red tops are working well for me, I think I paid a hair over $200 for the pair at Wally World...

I PASS GAS

Agreed!

I don't know about you, but I love working on my truck, but I HATE cleaning corosion off of battery terminals all the time. It was well worth it to get the optimas just for that reason alone.

Mopar1973man

So far I'm still knockin' on wood... I've still got my stock batteries and they very clean. I keep the water up on them and so far no problems...

When they do die RED TOPS are going be the route to take!

duner

i've been meaning to ask someone about this. on my o2 the batteries have removable caps but there is a big warning sticker that says never take them off. i just assumed it was because they weren't made using a regular water/acid electrolyte or something to that affect. they are the stock batteries. and by the way, yes, i have taken them off, i had to, don't really know why.

Geico266

Time to go with Red Tops. When you pull the drivers side battery you'll need to neutralize the battery acid that has spilled or it can eat the fender well, cruise control modual, wiring harness, all of which are located right under the battery. (dumb idea) Baking soda & water works great and repair any damaged stuff now before you put the new battery back in.

Red tops are like 40 pounds lighter too! Easier on tires, brakes, front end parts, and your ET's! lol

Sidewinder

I have always topped up my "maintenence free" batteries with DISTILLED water (found at any drug store). I have not had any early battery failures doing this.

Scubasteve

You can also use the water from your dehumidifier to fill your batterys and it also works great for mixing with coolant.

Jason

crobtex

I use a battery terminal spray on my posts and connections. I bought it at one of the major parts stores, and it works very well. I have "0" corrosion as long as I keep them sprayed. If I didn't wash the engine compartment so often, the little spray can would last a long time.

mkubacak

Dehumidifier? What is that? I don't think we have those in this neck of the woods. Wait a minute, what woods?

Amos

I always used regular spray paint on the terminals and never had a problem.

Mopar1973man

You can also use the frost from you freezer if you are really in need of distilled water... Another good trick...

Mopar1973man

Another good way to keep corrosion down is WD40. Basically any oil based lube will stop corrosion on you battery terminals. As for my tie down bolts... I take a oil can and dribble some engine oil down the shank of the bolt to keep the bolt and the nut fastener at the bottom from rotting away! Just a few tricks I've learned...

Dieseldude4x4

I think the battery on the drivers side gets more load just based on the way the wiring is set up but that's just my opinion you know. I swapped them out just to try and see what happens.