I think the way the batteries go bad is due to the funky way they are wired up. No fact here, just my opinion. When I put my stereo in, I wired up all the amps to the right side battery. I don't think with the current wiring set up that both batteries see the same charge and discharge rate. That little jumper from one battery to the other just seems to be a limiting factor. Maybe if the load came from the center of the main cable and charged from there also, they would last longer. Three sets of batteries I replaced, before I started swapping side to side, the left side battery ran another three years in my old 81 Dodge and the right one was stone dead. My son ran another one of the left side batteries in his old Fury for over two years before it finally died. Could be way out in left field here but this is what I believe.

 

I replaced mine in the fall of 03, I think they're starting to die now. Guess I'll try the napa's this time, last time were some sears deals. Might test em first.

 

May be a stupid question, but oh well! If one goes bad do you replace that one or both?

 

Have read on several threads, from those more knowledgable than myself..... important to replace both! Suspect it's more important on the 24v's. Anyone?

RJ

 

Always replace both. If one goes south, the other will be hurt just from the extra load it needs to absorb. Kinda like the LP/VP issues, huh?

I just replaced my batteries last month. Only had this truck for 4 months. Batteries was on the "list" of a billion things wrong with it that I've almost completed fixing.

Batteries seem to be just fine when they are weak - as long as the temp doesn't drop. Living in the Denver area, we get some pretty cold snaps. I was at Checker Auto one morning after having to jump the truck with my daughter's car. Changed both batteries in the parking lot while the temp was right around zero, and dress clothes on for work. Shoulda, woulda, coulda....

 

on dads 99 i has 1 oraginal batt on the passengerside and the driverside was replaced in march of 2000 with another "mopar" batt reason for the replace was he was hit buy a drunkdriver and it busted the drivers batt truck has 120,000 for the milage but when i bought my 01 they had already been replaced bros 2000 has oraginals and it has 180,000 so who no's how long they will last as long as you take care of them

 

On my 95, the right one went dead and killed the left one.

 

My batteries look to be originals. They are white with black tops. They look to be pretty tall is size. There is no brand name on them and I wondered what kind they are. It doesn't list any cranking amps or anything. I wanted to know what to get when it comes time.