2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Battery Life

[RClark]

i am still running the original batteries, 65k miles, 6 yrs.

they seem good but-- batteries are known to fail when you least need it to happen. would it be a good idea to change them before my summer trip, just to be safe?

What is a good replacement brand?

 

[Missouri Mule]

I'm on my second set Of Optimas red tops (800 cranking amps) Good warranty if you don't use it in business. I got mine from Interstate Batteries.



The originals lasted 3 years ( I put a lot of mileage on the Mule the first 3 years), the first set of Optimas lasted 5. 5 years, the current set have been in since 2005.

 

[ironbutt]

I too am lucky, my original batterys are doing good, at 122k miles and 5years 2mos. The key is maintainance, clean the terminals twice a year and use the red and green felt rings to prevent corosion. :-laf

 

[Bob4x4]

They will all die eventually. Why risk a tow bill that would have paid for a battery? A weak battery will tax the rest of the vehicle(alt. electronics etc. )



Bob

 

[ProspectorTim]

I have to agree with Bob4x4, even though I'm still running with the factory originals in my truck. Almost 8 years old & 150,000 miles so far.

But I'm staying close to home, and have a GOOD battery charger if I need it.

 

[AMink]

I ran the originals on my 97 for 4 or 5 years, then put in Walmart MAXX (the yellow ones) for another 4 or 5 years. They were still in the truck when I sold it this spring. They don't cost an arm & a leg, there are tons of Walmarts around (like it not ), and they last. If you're not beating around off road a lot, they are hard to beat. If you don't like Walmart, I've used the Kirkland brand from Costco on my trailer and have had good luck with them too.

 

[SAndreasen]

that realy sucks about the car trailer

 

[ProspectorTim]

that realy sucks about the car trailer

Yeah it does. Been 2 years now; I still miss that trailer but can't justify buying another one.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

There is a battery conductance tester that works well testing batteries for remaining life. The most popular one is made by Midtronics, but there are a couple of other ones out there too. These don't load the battery. They run a small AC current thru it to determine the internal resistance of the battery. Find a shop with one of these testers and have your batteries checked.

Joe

 

[DThibault]

RClark

If your batteries test out good and have not given any trouble, it seems to be a waste to change them. If you had any question, wait till cold weather is coming in the fall. Summer load is generally light unless you are taxing them with a boat winch or something of that nature. Get all you can out of them.

 

[Grizzly]

i am still running the original batteries, 65k miles, 6 yrs.

they seem good but-- batteries are known to fail when you least need it to happen. would it be a good idea to change them before my summer trip, just to be safe?

What is a good replacement brand?

If you got that many miles and years off your original equipped, get the same ones.

 

[RClark]

i just did a voltage check after 24 hrs+ sitting.
Both 12. 46
Drivers side 12. 43
Passenger side 12. 50

This should be between 15 and 22% discharged.
Guess I will try and find one of those conductance testers and see what it says Or, leave the lights on for a while and see what happens.

 

[Michael Hughes]

I have 170,000+ at around 8 years on the factory batteries. I know they will die soon, but I am going to go as long as they will start the truck.

Just a side note, I am still using the factory brake pads and shoes, got to love exhaust brakes!

 

[steved]

Dad got 240k and 6 years out of his 99's OE batteries... only one went bad. He replaced them with Deka's.



His let him know they were getting weak, the starter just doesn't roll as fast. But I'm sure if one would have failed critically, it would have killed the other.



steved

 

[Gene Arnold]

Mine have been in the truck since 2000. One is an Interstate, the other is a Kirkland from Costco.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

ugh, I need to get some batteries... mine work fine, and I leave the grids disconnected most of the time, and there just isn't much battery draw on a 12v (once it's running) but they look like crud, and I'm a better safe than sorry guy... ever see what happens when a battery blows up?

 

[sheldon]

I have 72,000 miles and over 5 years on my original batteries. Truck started after sitting for 6 months while I was wintering in the Philippines, guess I am good for this year... .

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

The yellow battery at Wally World is a good buy for the buck. Measure your old ones for size and get the same cold cranking amps or greater and you can't go wrong. I hear the red top Optimas are over rated. 6 years is tops. My wife got 5 1/2 years from a red top in her Subaru. Not good for the price.