Man these batteries deffenitely have alot more juice than those stockers on there. I believe I might have had a dry cell. Over the past couple of weeks acid has been leaking out more and more. I said screw it and went to the "acid free leaking" batteries. I bought them at Sams in Houston on I-45/Richey Road for $101 plus tax. I had stopped at Texas Off Road(King Krunch owners/operators) to see what the price would be: you guessed it outraegous-169.95. The battery at Texas OffRoad was 980CA and 800CA, and the battery I bought at Sams was the same. Wow, What a freakin huge difference in price, I saved $140 dollars by driving like 5 more miles. Anyway the installation was very straight forward, even though they are much smaller. I used the stock brackets that fit perfectly and are holding them down nice and snug. I am really glad I made the choice. Every since I made the post last week there has been great information on here from others that had good experiences with them. Anyways thanks for all help. God Bless.

 

From what I've seen here, you need to watch out with the shorter batteries because there's a wiring harness under one of the battery trays that could be damaged by turning the hold down screw in farther than normal.
Just a heads up.

 

Thanks alot dude I will check that out. Take Care

 

$101+tax for both total or per battery? If it's for both, then I'm buying some next week when I head home.

 

Are they lighter than the stockers?

 

Lighter, stronger, leak free, smaller. Only down side is they are expensive.

 

Here's something else I think you'll also like about the red top Optimas. I've had one in my Jeep CJ-7 that's over 10 years old and still going. I used to buy Sears Gold Die-Hard batteries until the last one let me down while elk hunting. I've really used this battery too, like winching other stuck vehicles and such during 4-wheeling trips. Yeah, they're expensive, but when they last as long as this and provide the kind of starting and winching power they do, I think they're well worth the price. BTW fitzydog, you scored real good with that price.

 

So fitzydog, was that $101 +tax per battery or your total price for both ???

 

I'd imagine that is $100ea as that is about what the going price is for them among the better online stores. I remember reading before that there is a substantial difference in weight between the optima and the normal lead battery, seems like it was 20lbs each. In my CTD notepage I have 45lb next to red top optima, so I presume this means that much is saved using two?!

 

Sorry for not replying sooner!
The Batteries were 101.08 a piece. 50 bucks a piece would be a hell of a price though, I wished. Check out your local Sams Club before you go to 4wheel parts or any Offroad shop. Most of those shops in Houston I checked ranged from $159-179 for Red Top and $189-203 for a Yellow Top. Like I stated in the original post the Red was 101 and the yellow was 132. Take care guys.

 

Red Tops are about 20 pounds lighter EACH! Thats 40 pounds less on the front end. Think of all the fuel savings too! LOL

 

At fifty a piece I'll buy 2 extra to replace the two Red Tops I have. Say, in about 10 years.

..Preston..

 

What group are you guys buying for a second gen??

Group 34?? or 78??

 

I'm running dual group D34/78 yellow tops. The difference between the 34 and the 34/78 is that the 34/78 adds the GM screw-type terminals on the side of the battery. The CCA and other specs are the same.

brandon.

 

Thanks again Brandon.....youre always a help.