I know the battery subject has been beat to death but I don't think this has been asked.

It's getting to battery time for me and because of the last set of drooling batteries, I'm going with Optima yellow tops.

If I go with Group 31's, I know the trays have to be cut a little but will the stock length cables work? Or do I have to go longer?

Jeff

 

Jeffery, I went with the military battery clamps and on my 98 and I had to lengthen the cables (with the batteries I used). IIRC, the positive cable across the rad wouldnt reach. I ended up just doing them all because Im an all or nothing kind of guy. You may find that the optimas are smaller or have the post further toward the edge of the battery and may not have to lengthen them at all. I would say get the batteries first and see what you have to do (but that will likely mean an extra trip to the city)...

I will probably have to do my 01 before winter as the clamps are in rough shape.

 

I have optima Yellow tops in the 97. I didn't know there were different sizes of those, but the ones I have fit with no problems.

 

They do make Group 31 yellow tops. Mucho $$

Bottom of this page: http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...wtop/specs.php


Jeff, make sure you get a battery charger that is appropriate for AGM batteries - there is a difference in battery chargers.

 

Wow, those are beasts.. From what I see there I have the D34/78's. Even at that rating, they run my espar for hours with my blower motor on and still start the truck. Love them.

 

I may just go with the "regular" 34/78 size yellow tops and save me the hassle of extending/making new cables.

I'm tired of the old batteries puking everywhere and just making a mess more than anything.

I looked into the Group 31's a couple of years ago and they were for the most part unavailable as well as every other Optima for that matter so I went with a set of Exide batteries. Great batteries, don't get me wrong, they just drool and make a mess.

I know about needing an AGM rated charger.

Jeffery? I thought my mother was calling me for a moment, figured I did something wrong.....again!!

I'm going to dig a little deeper into this and see where it goes, have a few days before the snow flies!

Jeff

 

The size is misleading.. They really look small in the tray and are only rated for 750 cold, but I have run a winter with them and no problems. And like you say, no mess. My 08 with OEM batteries are all white around the terminals.

 

I've run Group 31 batteries in both my trucks. I haven't had to extend my cables at all, but the driverside negative cable was pretty snug. I did adjust my hood up a bit though, since they are about an inch taller.

The last set of batteries I got from Luke at Waterous, they are sealed maintenance free batteries. I've only had them for 6 months, but no new corrosion on my terminals that wasn't from the last set.

 

I'm with Tate, done a few group 31 installs, no real mods required beside getting longer battery hold down bolts. Have to adjust the battery trays.

Group 31 should have been installed by the factory. They work very well even on the colest day's.

I have group65's (I think), I hate them. I have to plug my truck in on the cold days, but they fit decently. Going the group 31's route this fall once I get the twins/engine stuff figured out this fall for the 02.

Bought 31's for $100 each last year, decent price for what your getting.

 

A single group 31 was a factory item from '89 to '93, my '93 starts fine down into the teens!

 

In Northern Canada we need enough juice to turn this beast over at -40F and colder.

 

Knock on wood that my Canadian tire battries are still working after 5 years.. But then,my truck is parked 5 days out of the week..

 

I did group 31 on my 01 early this year. Hold downs and cables did not have to be changed but the tray took a little shove. ( it was cold enough that I just had to push and they broke)

 

In southern Canada, we need to worry about those temps. Northern Canada, they are in another league.