Optima makes Red top, Yellow top and Blue top batteries. Which is best suited for these 1st gen trucks (since they have only one battery)?
Bill

 

A fellow could put two Optima 6 volt batteries side by side in the original battery tray, they are 800cca each (I think), that should be plenty of power for just about any 1st Gen.

 

With a little work 2 red tops will fit the stock tray

 

My Interstate group 31 is ten years old now, still works.

 

hey-Hey!!!,
I have a big Blue Top in mine. I like the aux terminals( studs plus the usual lead posts ). Makes for adding stuff like an electric fuel pump and relay'd headlights very easy.
cheers,
Douglas

 

If I'm correct, the owners manual / service manuals for Dodge Cummins powered pickups requires a group 31 battery with 1125 CCA's.

I just purchased a battery for my dodge from Napa, and it's part # 7235

Fit perfect, and it's the correct size and cca that these trucks need.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...235_0300693806


Why would you put an undersized battery in your truck ?

Not being critical.... just curious.

 

I put a red top in my truck because I got a great deal on one and needed a battery. Works great in the warm months but I have never had to be jump started in the winter until I put it in. It wouldn't want to start when below 20 degrees. I'll be running something else this winter.

 

I have one of the sears platinum marine battery been in it for 2 years now, cost about $300 but great battery I have drained it down a few times and charges rich back up. Has the same specs as the Odyssey batteries but no shipping cost and great warranty, if I ever have a problem just run by sears to check and they replace is bad for 4 years I think.

 

Another vote for the steel-post heavy truck batteries, ... wicked CCA and at truck supply stores much cheaper than any of the lead-post batteries suitable for my truck. Good cold performance. I used the lead adapters rather than change my cable terminals.

 

.... because happiness is a good battery.

Evidently stock replacement is a group 31 with at least 1125 cca.

Optimas - 7 people are running them. Red tops, Blue tops, dual and single. Discharge issues reported. Perhaps a bad one once in awhile. Quite possibly manufactured in Mexico now. Otherwise, people are happy. Life of 8 years reported in one. 6 years and counting on a pair of blue tops, etc.

Napa Commercials grp 31 - 5 people are running them. They are liked. One lasted 6 years reportedly.

Diehard Platinum Marine grp 31 - 4 people are running them. Superior discharge rebound qualities reported. Was a selling point when I bought mine as well. Good guarantee with ease of replacement. Costly though, approx. $300.

Interstate grp 31 - 3 people are running and liking them. One is reportedly 10 years old and counting.

Kenworth or heavy truck battery - 2 people are running them. Say they are the king of all batteries.

United Battery - 1 person. $76

Kirkland/Costco brand - 1 person, excellent warrantee and ease of replacement.

Battery Barn grp 31 - 1 person

Orielly's Extreme Super Start - 1 person, battery has lasted 3.5 years and counting.

 

So why would you put in a bigger battery? What are you defining 'undersized' by?
cheers
Douglas

 

Bit the bullit today, went out and bought an Odyssey 1150 CCA battery.
Figure that should crank that sucker over no matter how cold it gets this winter.
Bill

 

Really, now....


You should know that the minimum requirement for these trucks is the 1125 CCA battery. Otherwise, cold weather starting may be an issue.

T.

 

May be an issue? Mine has started quickly in -10 F w/o a block heater while the grid heaters were on( did not pay any attention to the 'wait to start' ). Now at -30 F and 15W-40 in the crank case I think I would have waited.

That 1125 CCA is just a spec Chrysler published based on a customer average usage plus some leeway to prevent acruing TGW's.
cheers
Douglas

 

just somthing I heard dont know if its true , dont optima batteries require special charger , or a regular battery as a buffer when using a standard charger?