The 99 dually has not seen a lot of action for a while and needed to be moved a couple weeks back. The starter just barely rolled it over, once. A few hours later after a charging, it roared to life . I knew it had sat a month and didnt think a whole lot about it. I needed to move it last weekend and was met with the groan again. I am now sure it is asking for batteries. The ones in there were installed by the previous owner and I dont have any history of their life. What would you buy? Had to go to wally world for some other junk and saw their new line of yellow ones. I dont get a warm and fuzzy about anything they sell but the 9 year warranty made me look twice. I have been using Autozone batteries in the Chevy diesels and seem to get a bit of warranty at each successive replacement. Auto zone seems a bit more pricey for less warranty. This truck will sit for a month or two at a time and then go for a month or two nearly nonstop.
Any thoughts? Thanks


Mark

 

Only battery I buy anymore are Optima Red Tops. Over 20 of them on the farm now.
Just the fact that they don't corrode or leak acid is enough reason for me. Two thirds of battery problems are caused by corrosion, having that mode of failure beat saves a lot of headaches.

By the way, owner's manual recommends the truck be started or battery charged every 21 days to make up for the key off power draw.

 

I have Champions I got at Sam's club, but I have never heard anything bad about an Optima. My next batteries will be Optimas.

Chris

 

Gell cells (like Optimas) are the only way to go. They weigh less (about 40 pounds!) and have a great warrantee, and THEY DON"T LEAK!

The only way to go.

 

Where do you guys get the red tops?

 

I have Optima yellow tops only becuse of the Espar got them from Costco

 

Sears carries them, and they deal!

 

I have the yellow tops for a great deal but by the time you pay for shipping ouch, not worth the savings

 

I bought a Champion for my Talon, the first one lasted one start. The second lasted a week. The third battery lasted almost a year. The fourth battery is a couple years old.

I bought a Duralast for my Mercedes. The first lasted a few months, the second a couple, the third about four months, the fourth battery has been going for 4-5 months now. At the third battery exchange I asked the manager if that one quit if he'd just credit the money towards a new red top which he would but they remodeled the Duralast battery (due to my R&D?) and it seems to be lasting much better now.

It is good to have a good warranty, it is very bad to have to use it, multiple times! If I could do it over again I'd get some red top Optimas. I almost think the 34/78 that fits in the Ram also fits in my Mercedes (even though it is a group 49).

 

Stamey: Ditto on the Champions. I got one from Sams about four years ago, I think it was $40 or so, put it in the Ford, hardly ever run the truck. Went out last Sunday afternoon.....mind you the truck had not been started in at least four months. I popped the hood, looked for nesting critters, found none, put the key in the door, unlocked it, and to my amazement the dome light went on! I twisted the key and she started, after a bit of gas in the carb! Now that is a good battery! But I have to agree the Optimas are great batteries, and that is what I will continue to purchase.

Best price for Optimas that I have found in So Cal is Price Club, Red Tops; $99

 

I will only buy optimas, corrosion sucks.

 

Caterpillar heavy duty batteries. Warrantied forever as long as you work for CAT. Multiple batteries available. I think from 880 CCA up to 1100 CCA each and will fit in our pickups. These batteries are made with the purpose of starting heavy equipment in the extreme cold after running air heaters. They should do well with the little 5.9. If I remember right they cost me about $60 per Something like $80 retail I think. Excellent batteries. Well Made. If you want more accurate detailed info let me know I can check into it for you guys.

 

i will only buy optimas now after successfully using them for 3 years in 3 vehicles. they have free replacement for 84 mos, can mount upside down, dont leak, yada yada yada. ive come to believe that i dont care as much about other manufacturers warranties- i want to KNOW my vehicle will start when i leave work at 3am on a winter day. one of the first ones i bought did develop a leak (hey, nobodys perfect) around where the red top attatches to the grey case. i noticed it because i was starting to get a little corrosion near the terminals - and there shouldnt be any. no problem! took it back to advanced auto and viola! new battery. never any problems since.

 

Cat batteries are made by the same company that makes Optima, Interstate.
Interstate is in reality Johnson Controls who also makes Autozone, Everready, Everstart, Motorcraft, and Diehard.
Cat does have a gell cell but it's price is sky high and is most likely an Optima relabeled.

 

Optima, optima, one on the left, one on the right.