I think its time for some new batteries for my dually. I've been noticing that its kinda slow to turn over for the first start up after a cold night. I'm sure the batteries are just worn... not sure how old they are but I'd guess they've been in there for quite a while, I've had the truck for almost 2 years now, and when I bought it they looked like they had already been in there for a while.

Anyway, what is a good, cost-effective battery? I don't want to spend $500 on batteries that could run half my house. The Optimas are too expensive as well. Will something from Wal-Mart be just fine, or is there one battery that really "stands out"?

Thanks for suggestions.

Dennis

 

A red one would stand out against that green truck of your's. (and look real Christmasy too!) I've had good luck with the Dekka's Dennis, about $104 each and they're 900+ cca's.

 

Wow, I would recommend ANYTHING but Dekas.

I put in Deka Group 31 Commercials - got 2 years out of them.

 

i went to sam's club & got energizer (more out of necessity than informed decision)... out the door for ~$180... been good so far

 

I replaced my originials earlier this year with some from Autozones that were close to the factory rating and my truck has never started better. Makes sure to clean cables and spray some protectant on them.

 

I got the Duralast Golds from autozone. GREAT price, great cca and great warranty. Id recommend them before dekas.

 

mine is gettin the same way. Only in the a.m.

 

i recommend interstate they been good for us in our trucks and farm equipment

 

You mentioned Wal-Mart batteries. The Wal-mart Everstart Maxx batteries are actually an excellent battery. It is manufactured for Wal-mart by Johnson Controls which also makes the Optima battery.
The identical batteries are also sold under these names:

Interstate Mega-Tron Plus
Motorcraft® silver
Sears Die Hard Gold
Auto Zone (Duralast Gold)
Eveready
Everstart
Toyota (TrueStart)
Mitsubishi (Diamond Car Care)
Mazda
Advance Auto (Autocraft Titanium)
Costco (Kirkland Signature)
Pep Boys (ProStart & Energizer)

I've had a set in my truck for 6 years and they are still going strong. Hard to beat for the price.

 

Personally I'll never go with another lead/acid battery, tired of dealing with corrosion.
It's gel cell or glass mat for me from now on.
Currently running over 20 of them of various brands on the farm equipment, trucks and cars.
No more wire brushes, rotted hold downs and eaten cables for me.
Definitely worth the extra cost IMHO.
I recently replaced my first Optima Redtops after 12 years, lets see you do that with a lead/acid.

 

You could get a cheap tester and see if you've got dead cells in either of the batteries, otherwise they should charge up if they're still within the life expectancy printed on the label. I had two bad cells in one battery and one bad in the other. Ended up getting a set of 900 CCA Costco brand batteries for about $160 a few weeks ago. I also heard they were made by Johnson and supposed to be good quality for the money, but the battery trays had to be cut a little for them to fit in since they didn't carry the proper size for my truck.

I definitely would have gone with the optimas if I could afford them right now.

 

hi
another vote for the ever start max from walmart here .

fit the battery box perfectly

they come with a 3 year free replacement !!!

 

I personally love the Duralast Gold from Autozone. 3 year free replacement and free jump start service. I've had mine for a few years and they work flawlessly. Optimas are great, but I can get 2 1/2 sets of Duralasts for one set of yellow tops....

 

If you live in a cold climate and run the grid heaters a lot consider going to a bigger battery. I put Group 31s in my truck and all I had to do was trim one end of the battery tray.

 

X2. Only had mine for about 2 years now. $105 each at Sams Club (probably about $120 each now).

John (DH)