2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Battery Life?

[Big P]

My truck is about 2. 5 years old and in its' 3rd winter now and seems to crank a bit slow on cold mornings. I don't usually plug in unless it's colder than 15 degrees. Does 3 winters sound about right on stock batteries? Also, what are you replacing them with?

TIA

 

[jkern]

This is the 5th winter for mine... it does seem to crank a little slower than it used to, but still starts every time... i am hoping to get thru this winter and replace both batteries with optimas this summer.

 

[csevers]

Have your batterys tested

If they test out ok then look for other problems for the slower cranking. I have one original oem battery and one replaced under the 36k warrenty I now have 114k on it and have the same batterys. It depends on how you use your truck, I never leave the radio on for hrs with out the truck running and also throw the charger on the batts if I am working with the hood up for a long time just to keep the batts "toped" off. I hope to get several more years out of them if possible.



So have them tested/charged and see if that helps



Craig

 

[RGRAT1618]

I work for a battery store. that's all we sell is Batteries. According to Exide and Deka our 2 main suppliers, the life of a battery is 24 to 36 months. I am on 3 years on mine any have only lost 10 percent of my rated cold cranking amps. I would recomend you just test them twice a year. If they test good keep tem going. No sense in tring to fix something that is not broke.



Rob

 

[bmoeller]

The OEM batts. were replaced before I bought my truck, so I don't know or not if they are Maintainance free or not. If you can check the water level, they may need some, and clean the terminals if needed. It can make a world of difference. If they haven't been maintained properly, they're probably shot.



The guy that I bought my truck from put some cheap ones in it before seling it to me a little over 2yrs ago. I've taken care of them, but will need to replace them before too long for the same reason. No longer have the guts to start it below 15* or so if I didn't have it plugged at work.



My boss has a 1840 Case skid loader. Has the original battery in it yet (6+yrs). Just keep the terminals clean and add water when needed. I use anti-seize on the terminals instead of die-electric grease. It lasts much longer and does a better job.

 

[BigMike]

Mine lasted over 4 years. They were still cranking fine, but one of them was close to dead. Replaced them both with Les Schwab batteries.

 

[anomad]

I replaced the stock batteries in my '95 when they were about 5 years old with some batteries from NAPA. The NAPA units are going on 3 years now and still cranking strong. And I have to use the grid heater almost all summer... ...

 

[Cryppie]

Just rolled over 94k, 5+years on my stockers, haven't noticed any reduction in power. Probably doesn't hurt to have them relocated to the truck box in the bed. No engine heat may extend the life a bit, but I am looking to replace in the near future, sooner if one dies... plan on moving them to under the bed on passenger side. Will post pics when I get it all done.

 

[David Wheeler]

3 years.....

My stockers dopped it after 3 years. Replaced with Red Top Optimas. If you do the same, watch the mounting bolts with the Optimas... . the batteries are too short and the bolts go through the wiring harness! Good luck!

 

[RHARVEY]

Just replaced the stock batteries on my wife's 2k this past weekend. The truck has 90K on it. I did the red top Optima's

We bought them at our favorite store... Costco!



Rick