Batterys for 2003 ram diesel

[radar doctor]

Anybody using the optima battery in the 2003 ho ram ? I'd like to try the yellow top but don't know what number to get that would fit the cables?? How are these batteries working in our trucks?/ any other advise on other batterys?? Thanks...

 

[amsoilman]

Anybody using the optima battery in the 2003 ho ram ? I'd like to try the yellow top but don't know what number to get that would fit the cables?? How are these batteries working in our trucks?/ any other advise on other batterys?? Thanks...

My 03' still has the original batteries, but when they do go out, I will most likely put in the "red top" ones, as I had them in my older 94', and they were great!



Wayne

 

[TimothyLong]

D34 for the yellow tops and 34 for the red tops. I had a pair of red tops in my '98. 5 and they worked pretty well. Another good one is the DieHard Platinum (Group 65 fits our Dodges). They are made by Oddyssey and use the dry cell technology too. My factory Mopar batts died back in November. I replaced them with Exide NASCAR Selects. I would have preferred the Optimas or the DieHards but didn't have the $$ for them at the time. The Exides are working pretty well for me so far.

 

[dan.poitras]

I find the one's from Costco work fine. More cold cranking amps and cheaper.

 

[SShafranko]

Caterpillar all the way!

 

[DPKetchum]

Not worth the money. Can get longer warranty and more cranking amps at a lower price. If off roading like Baja or boat racing then Optimas,but not for the way we use these trucks. Optimas are great for extreme shock/jounce.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Bought DieHard Platinums about a month ago and am pretty happy so far.

 

[Regcabguy]

I replaced my Mopar's in the '99 after four years(they were still going) w/Red Tops. They were only $94. 00 back then. Consumer reports gave the Sears Platinums a best rating.

 

[JThorsten]

I have a minor question regarding the batteries, I had optima red tops in my 98. 5 dodge and they were held in with a top mounted clamp which was fine, but my 03 doesnt have that and the lip on the bottom of the battery is to small to work with the factory clamps, do i just have the wrong batteries or do you have some suggestions for me?

 

[radar doctor]

I was under the inpression that optima would furnish a hold down device. i'd ask the people where i bought them about that. . i plan to use two yellow tops in my boat and in the winter put them in my dodge

 

[TimothyLong]

I have a minor question regarding the batteries, I had optima red tops in my 98. 5 dodge and they were held in with a top mounted clamp which was fine, but my 03 doesnt have that and the lip on the bottom of the battery is to small to work with the factory clamps, do i just have the wrong batteries or do you have some suggestions for me?

There are adapters that can be fitted on the sides of those batteries so they will be compatible with the '03 battery hold downs. Depending on how long ago you bought your red tops, the adapters used to be a separate item that needed to be purchased. More recently, Optima started supplying them with the batteries when you purchased them, so you got them whether you needed them or not. I was on Optima's web site not too long ago and it appeared to me that they may have changed the design of the model 34 and 34/78 casings to have that adapter molded onto the sides of the casings. None the less, I would contact Optima directly for assistance.

 

[MickeyMiller]

I'm with AlaskanCummins... I went to a pair of DiHard Platinums (which are made by Odysee) and expect them to last a LONG time. The Odysee on my Buell just entered year 10!

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

batteries

Costco yellow tops

 

[NNethers]

I replaced my factory batteries in November with 2 red tops. Optimas are the way to go. I've used one in my rock crawler for the last 6 or 7 years... best battery out there. They are spendy (I spent over $300 for the two of them) but they come with all the brackets you need and you can rest assured it'll be the last batteries you have to buy for the rig. Not to mention... they don't explode all over the engine compartment like a standard wet cell battery... ask me how I know.

 

[CToney]

Deka Intimidators are dry cell and cheaper than optima. We started to use them instead of the optima. No trouble so far.

 

[radar doctor]

I Bought Two Yellow Tops and Love them,, But i want you to Know there is a Farmer that Has a Tractor that Sets outside 365 days a Year and he works part time at a Auto Parts Place. . Ive known this Guy for 30 Years and He told Me His Tractor Has a Red Top in it. Been in there for Over 10 Years ... . This thing gets started in the Spring of the Year. . I wonder what That says for Red Tops???

 

[R.Taylor]

Optima is junk, Requires special hold down brackets which are extra $$$ on top of purchase price plus they do not have a super reputation. Go for the Odyssey PC1750 Batteries, Well worth every penny! 74. 0Ah and 930 cold cranking amps in a group 65 size battery. The stock Dodge battery hold downs work perfectly as the PC1750's are the exact dimensions of the stock batteries. If you want a battery that looks like a 6'er of Coor's tall boys then go for the Optima, If you want a battery you'll have for 10 years go for the Odyssey's. You can find them online for $245 to $315 each..... And worth every single red cent.

 

[JVolpe]

I replaced my OEM batteries with Optima Red Tops (34) about a year ago. They came with adapters to snap onto the battery to fit 34/78 battery OEM clamps. Bought from Sam's for $137 each. Worked very well so far.

 

[MickeyMiller]

I went for the Sears Platniums which are made by Odyssey. Had them about a year so it's too soon to see if this is a solid choice, but I got 9 years on an Odyssey battery in my '98 Buell S-1! 9 years with the vibration of a V-twin, 3 of those years in Montana, is absolutly outstanding battery performance!!! Original Buell battery lasted 14 months...