The 6 year old Interstate group 27 just won't start the truck anymore in the as-of-late cold Northern NM weather so its time for a new battery. The Interstate website lists a 31P battery fo the '93 D250 5.9 L6 and I see there's a little room on the battery mounting plate for something bigger than the Group 27. What did YOU buy for your truck and would you do something different?
The local Interstate dealer has another 27 in stock, but I'm taking my time since lead has apparently become a damned precious metals investment. Thanks! H.

 

as close to 1000 cca as Possible

 

Good advice, the new group 27 Interstate was 960 I think. Size matters here and the 31 is the biggest one that will fit I THINK...…. Thanks

 

Group 31
Local parts store brand. $95 and 960 cca.
Im pretty sure there is only a couple manufacturers that make the batteries for everyone.
The same company that made my parts store brand, makes Interstate and some others.
Something "Penn", having flatulence of the brain at the moment.

 

Hunter, I had some battery problems recently and went looking for a big boy to put in there. I bought one of these. They say it is a relabeled Odyssey, but I don't know or care, it is 1150 CCAs of starting power. It weighs 85 pounds. It yawns while cranking the old girl. Kind of pricey, but so far I am very happy with it...Mark

 

you want to keep that tray area clean? no leak optima makes group 31 yellow and blue tops that make bling, every time you open your hood, prices are not much more, my jeep is 7 years in for service, don't let them go dead for long, agm batteries suffer at low charge conditions.

 

This is what I put in mine. The main attraction for me was the screw posts for axillary stuff. The capacity is great as well.

 

I stuck a pair of (group 26 maybe) irrigation batteries in mine. Comes out about 1000 CCA and if one goes bad I can still get by with the other. Irrigation (or utility) batteries are usually visual blemishes and come with no warranty, for about half the normal price.

Actually, got another in the Amigo right now, pulled it off the pile at work til I can get a couple batteries for it.

 

Group 31 fits the tray. These stiff ole girls like lotsa oomph to start.

oomph ... technical term equal to cca

 

one thing I love with the 1st gen is the 1/10 second start sequence, you cant back your hand off the start position fast enough before your running, batteries and starters, live for that

 

Ain't that the truth, I get worried when it does more than 1 revolution before it starts. The only time it ever did it led to a serious intermittent start problem. It's a great diagnostic tool...Mark

 

This is what i've had for 3 years its been great. 1125 cold crank amps!!! napa part number 7235
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...235_0399063367

 

I have a group-31 Interstate Workaholic in mine for the starting battery and an auxillary battery on the right fender that I can parallel for a redundant system.

The Workaholic is a strong battery but since it is a commerical battery it only has like an 18 month warranty.

If you live in a cold climate an electric battery warmer/ blanket is as important as a crankcase heater, a warm battery will deliver its full rated current, as the ambient temps get near zero the battery can loose up to 80% of its avalible current (cranking amps).

Or you could use a drycell style battery that are not affected by temperature.

The hotter the battery, the quicker it will start, rememember compession/ ignition.
If you had the room, 8-D and 4/0 cables are the way to go.

 

Good advice ALL. Thanks for the replies. I'm in NM for a short while longer, then its back to good ol' ARIZONA. 7 degrees here in Taos this morning and at my age I have HAD it with the cold. 20 years in Flagstaff, 7 in Casper and almost 5 here in NM, I think I've earned some warm.
That Interstate in my D250 has a big 85 on the top meaning it may still be under some sort of pro rate warranty. The money is about the same on the 31's but I have to beg the local Interstate dealers to take my money and order one. NAPA will get me one of those commercial one's quick. I've been plugging in the engine heater and charger, that helps a LOT. The charger sits on 3 amps, though its a 10 amp charger, telling me that the batt just won't take a charge anymore. That and a slow crank. Doing an oil change this morning (small investment these days), will battery shop some more tomorrow. 85 pound of battery? Small lead mine in there!
Thanks Gents. H

 

When I went to get it, the guy asked if I needed help out with it. In my best macho voice I said "Ho, Ho, Ho, of course not". Almost immediately regretted it. ...Mark