So, on a third gen, are we to assume that the the top posts of the larger batteries have enough clearance to the underside of the hood? I would imagine in the next few months that mine will need replacing.

 

You should be able to adjust the hood stops and the latch to accomodate the taller batteries.

 

You should be ok Festus

 

I have optima red tops in everything, the 2001 2500, the 2003 2500, the 98 tahoe, the 85 f350, the kubota tractor, the case dozer. My point being the 34/78 red tops will fit almost anywhere give great service , can be had for 130 bucks if you watch for sales and gives me a common battery for everything. New batteries go in the truck that spends the most time away from home and they work their way down the food chain till they end up in the dozer or the tractor at the 6 or 7 year old mark.

 

the group 31 are $99 regular price at work. thats 99 canadian dollars/

 

Well, its that time of year (again). How are these holding up for you Luke?

Will these fit into second gen trays without cutting the sides out? Where can I buy these in E-town?




And lastly, I dont have HD crimpers readily available to me anymore. Have any of you guys used the compression type lugs/terminals like this?:

http://www.quickcable.com/details.php?partno=5820

Reviews good/bad/or otherwise?



Looks like I may have to do starter contacts as well.

 

I put 4 of those Gr31 into my freightliner. I don't start it that often but starts great everytime. we'll see how it is now that its cold/. you should be able to get those over the counter at waterous in edmonton. I don't see how pricing should be any different.

I've got a snapon hammer crimper for those kind of cables too.

 

thanks bud. I found the dimensions on them so just have to do some measurin'

 

cool.

I use the Bluepoint hammer crimper all the time.

Stock#: YA9484

 

I bought a couple of group 65 batteries from Costco...85 bucks each, 850cca, 150 reserve capacity.

They are slightly wider and lower than the stock units but stronger. I had to cut away one side of my battery tray but the stock hold downs worked...with a bit of bashing.

 

Actually, the poor performance of my Costco batteries is what caused me to start this thread. They have not been very good for me. Going to get them load tested but Im thinking they should plast more than 2 years.

If you are going to go to the bother of cutting out the trays you may as well go with a Group 31 Commercial.


My red top Optimas in the other truck have been great so far.

 

Looks like you gonna havta splurge on acouple more red tops. Love mine 2yrs. no problems

 

Talking to the shop I got my Optimas from, the Costco stuff is hit and miss. They buy them by the boat load and then distribute. Some of the batteries they have on the shelf are made years ago and have been sitting on a pallet somewhere. Also they have been made by Exide which have a track record of finely built Hyundai Pony. Found out that Can Tire are also Exide and went through 6 of those things in a 2 year span between my truck and van. Never again! Warranty for 9 years is great if you live at Can Tire.

 

Actually, Costco, (Kirkland), batteries are made by Johnson Controls, the same people who make Optima batteries. Costco sometimes sells Optima.

http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/publi...kgrounder.html

Exide makes the Nascar brand batteries which Canadian tire sells...I don't know about their Mastercraft brand.

I have had great luck with Costco merchandise and their returns are the easiest around...they take them back no questions asked.

I also changed the contacts in my starter this summer. They were completely fried. It's not that tough of a job and parts are less than 20 bucks. If you're getting the 'click, click' thing on a regular basis, you probably have a contact going. It's a very common failure item.

 

Thanks for the updated info..