Battery size

[PKnoerzer]

I need to pick up batteries for my truck today. Can someone confirm that a group size 65 is correct?

 

[TimothyLong]

Group 65 is the correct size.

 

[PKnoerzer]

Thank you for the reply!

 

[RHestand]

I'm just curious.

I have no knowledge about group 65 etc.

When I buy a battery, I try to find one with the most power (cold cranking amps, etc. ), and still be able to fit in my batt. box, or where ever I need to put it. With this in mind, I don't think I've ever had, too much battery.

This is the way I've always bought batteries, probably a habit from a lot of years of building hot-rods. Am I wrong with this method?

TIA for any replies on this.

Ray

My position is,

 

[Mishkaya]

I'm just curious.

I have no knowledge about group 65 etc.

When I buy a battery, I try to find one with the most power (cold cranking amps, etc. ), and still be able to fit in my batt. box, or where ever I need to put it. With this in mind, I don't think I've ever had, too much battery.

This is the way I've always bought batteries, probably a habit from a lot of years of building hot-rods. Am I wrong with this method?

TIA for any replies on this.

Ray

My position is,

Nothing wrong with that really. Most people want the same size battery as was OEM however. I know for example my truck takes group 27, which can be a tough one to get, so I went instead with a group 31 that I have managed to fit. Works great for me, but some people would much rather keep everything the same for simplicity.

 

[DaveHess]

I'm with Ray on this. Bigger is better. Does a Group 65 battery automatically have the posts on the correct side of the top of the battery and in correct order to preclude stretching or straining battery cables? Mine (factory batteries) have been in the truck since the day I brought it home so I figure pushing 7 years I am on borrowed time.

 

[Mishkaya]

I'm with Ray on this. Bigger is better. Does a Group 65 battery automatically have the posts on the correct side of the top of the battery and in correct order to preclude stretching or straining battery cables? Mine (factory batteries) have been in the truck since the day I brought it home so I figure pushing 7 years I am on borrowed time.

Since you have a group 65 currently in your truck, any group 65 (regardless of brand) will be a direct drop in replacement. Same battery size, connectors in same positions, etc... That's why most people prefer the same battery rather than "the biggest ones that will fit".

 

[PKnoerzer]

The group 65 replacement dropped right in and the posts were correct. I chose a Die-Hard which had 930 CCA vs. 750 for the factory batteries. The reserve capacity was slightly lower at 135 min. vs. 150.



When my truck sat overnight on Saturday the voltage dropped low enough that the electric unlock wouldn't. At five years and 110000 miles I figured I'd replace them before the zero degree stuff hits us.

 

[DaveHess]

Got it. Thanks MishKaya. I know I am living a charmed life right now after 6 years 9 months on the factory batteries. They'll probably fail right about the time I am replacing the tires. Ouch!!!!!

 

[hcole]

I am of the same school of thought as you are,RHestand. My experience with hot rods with high compression engines was that you could never have too many cranking amps especially after a high power run on the drag way. I'll even modify the battery tray if there's room to get more battery in there. And, I'm still running the original batteries in my 2002, built in feb. 2002.

 

[TimothyLong]

Got it. Thanks MishKaya. I know I am living a charmed life right now after 6 years 9 months on the factory batteries. They'll probably fail right about the time I am replacing the tires. Ouch!!!!!

Yes, you are living a charmed life, but on borrowed time! My OEM's did EXACTLY that last year about this time, died at the same time I was saving my pennies for new tires. #@$%! Mine made it just past the 5 year warranty. So I ended up having to get batteries I could afford as opposed to the ones that I really wanted. I hope you have better luck!

 

[rbattelle]

I agree with others that for trucks I generally ignore the group size and buy the biggest battery that will fit.



That said, when my batteries go bad (6 years and counting), I want to replace with one PC2150 or maybe two PC65-1750s.



Either 2150 CCA and extra space for a BHAF on the passenger side, or 3500 CCA and no extra room. Ah, decisions decisions.



Ryan

 

[BILLVO]

Still have the original oem batteries in my 02 with 110k miles and my wifes 03 TDI VW Jetta has the original batt with 125k and still ticking.

 

[Mishkaya]

I agree with others that for trucks I generally ignore the group size and buy the biggest battery that will fit.



That said, when my batteries go bad (6 years and counting), I want to replace with one PC2150 or maybe two PC65-1750s.



Either 2150 CCA and extra space for a BHAF on the passenger side, or 3500 CCA and no extra room. Ah, decisions decisions.



Ryan

I actually installed two group 31 Die Hard Platinum batteries (Made by Odyssey), but with a better warranty and no outrageous shipping costs. Have only had them for over a year now, but it's hard to beat the 1200 CCA's per battery for sure. No more hard starting, even at -30 last winter.

 

[rbattelle]

I actually installed two group 31 Die Hard Platinum batteries (Made by Odyssey), but with a better warranty and no outrageous shipping costs.

I didn't know they made Die Hard Platinums! Good to know.



We have a "Batteries Plus" just up the road that carries Odyssey batteries with no shipping costs. And remarkably cheap, too. I think they were asking $250ish for a PC2150 in 2005 or 2006.



Ryan

 

[MickeyMiller]

I too went with the Die Hard Platinums last year after calling Odyssey to confirm they were the maker. My originals were still going strong but 6 years on the original batteries was good enough for me! Sears did a good installation, checking the charging system, included battery blankets, and cleaned, then painted, the posts and cables. One less thing to worry about for several more years. [I got 10 years out of an Odyssey battery on my Buell S-1, and that included a LOT of battery abuse!]

 

[DaveHess]

After seeing Ryan's post with the Odyssey coming in at about $250 a copy, what does the Sears Diehard Platinum cost????

 

[R.Taylor]

Type 65 is correct... . I went with the 65-PC1750 Odyssey's. They are bulletproof and crank that 5. 9 like you wouldn't believe! Not sure about Optima... . I've heard more bad stuff than good stuff about them.

 

[Mishkaya]

After seeing Ryan's post with the Odyssey coming in at about $250 a copy, what does the Sears Diehard Platinum cost????

$190 when they are not on sale.

 

[seafish]

I actually installed two group 31 Die Hard Platinum batteries (Made by Odyssey), but with a better warranty and no outrageous shipping costs. Have only had them for over a year now, but it's hard to beat the 1200 CCA's per battery for sure. No more hard starting, even at -30 last winter.

Do the group 31 ned to be trimmed a little in order to fit under the clamp??



Does anyone have the cca to copare between a 31 and a 65??



I'll likely go with the Diehard Platinum 31's when it is time.



Thanks.