2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Changing out batteries

[RHoblitt]

I keep thinking mine well go dead but after 5 1/2 years no problems yet. I do know when they go its a right now type of thing. No maintenance on these and have never gassed off so i will go back with the same maintenance free trpe. Just my two cents worth. Richard

 

[rnolen]

THEY FIT

I successfully put them in tonight. The 31's fit. You have to be careful though. In the bottom of the battery tray there is 4 plastic triangles in the bottom. If you cut them out the 31's will fit. I suggest you get some help putting the new ones in. I droped the new ones in while a friend guided them perfectly into the box. If you dont get them in right and you try and to adjust it the edge will break. Trust me. I got one in perfectly and one that broke a little of the side out. Not a problem though it snugged down with the battery clamp. Just get some body to guide it in and they will fit. It is a tight fit. The Batteries helped out a bit in the carnks. We will put them to the test tonight when it gets down to the upper teens and we don't plug it in.

Thanks for the help

russ

PS. If your tray sides won't stretch try heating them up and them fitting the trays in

 

[TurboSandman]

You da MAN!



I have this week off and plan to do several upgrades (DT trackbar yesterday) so I just may replace batteries while I am at it. An extra pair of hands sounds like good advice; those 31's really are heavy.



Thanks for reporting your experience, let us know what cranking difference it made.

 

[rnolen]

This morning was the test. It got down to around 15F. I did not plug the truck in to see how it would be different cold. It cranked alot better than the 27's. You know when it is really cold it takes a split second for those batteries to give the full power. NOT these ones. Not as many turns on the starter to.

Thanks for the kind words

Russ

 

[RPosey]

My truck is a 1995 model. In 1997 one of the original batteries died. I replaced just the one battery and the other original battery was replaced with a new one in early 2002 It was not bad only weak. It doesn’t appear to have had any effect on the life of either battery to have changed only one battery each time. Am I missing something? Seems as though everyone cautions to change both batteries together. From my experience changing both batteries together does not appear to be necessary. Would someone comment on this.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Replaced my 96 batteries (3 years original and 3 years Exides Best) last weekend. Decieded to go to WalMart because of the Guarantee (3 years total-7 years prorated) and price. The heat down here kills batteries- can't seem to get any to last long.

 

[Devildog]

I would like to know whats wrong with Exide also,

I just bought one for my Harley... ... .

 

[Bigramguy]

A long while back I posted on installing Group 31's in my truck. It has worked out well,but a few things to check on yours. Watch for the tops of the batt terminals rubbing on the underside of the hood. I ended up grinding mine down a bit to stop this. You will see them wearing on the hood insulation first,and eventually they will wear threw.



To install them I had to cut and mod the battery tray as well,and make a new top retainer,by cutting the old one and widening it. Now that they are in,i'll never go back. Way more cranking power,and reserve power. I left the dome lamps on all weekend (3 days),and it fired up at below freezing,something the stock batteries would never do.



I have never had any luck with Exide either. We sold them for 6 years and had nothing but problems. We have since gone to Interstate as our supplier,and the problems dissapeared. Plus the customer service and support is second to none.



I also added a Leece-Neville 140 amp alternator which blows away the stock unit. It has been about a year and a half now and no problems as of yet.