2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission DieHard Platinum Group Size 31

[fairmont]

Does anyone know from first hand experience if these will fit in a '99 without hacking up the battery tray? 1150 CCA's and 205 min. Reserve Capacity sounds pretty good, but the rough measurement I could get with the current batteries in still place doesn't look quite long enough.



Here's the link to the Sears site... ...



http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850131000P

 

[Mishkaya]

I have them in my '01 (same battery tray AFAIK). I had to make a slight cut on the top of the battery tray, and cut the bottom of the batteries to fit. Not much cutting on either one, and the fit is extremely tight now, but the batteries are not going anywhere.

 

[Mactruck]

I didn't even have to cut my battery tray. I did however cut the bottom of the batteries themselves to fit. very easy with a coping saw.
You will have to use spacers for the battery clamps or cut the bolts themselves down to fit.

They are great batteries.

 

[fairmont]

Thanks Mishkaya, any chance you could post a photo?



Mactruck, what group size are your batteries? The group 31 is 9 1/2" tall, shouldn't need to worry about spacers or cutting off the holddown. If anything, I'm concerned that it might not be long enough.

 

[Mishkaya]

Thanks Mishkaya, any chance you could post a photo?

I'll try and get a pic posted this evening.

 

[SRath]

At least 10 hard years and counting

Speaking of GREAT batteries, I just have to put in a plug for the Champion 4x4 batteries in my '96. They were in the truck when I bought it in '99, and may well be the originals for all I know. They are enduring their TENTH year (for sure) of brutal, sub-zero Iowa winter AND providing juice to run the Boss plow.



The truck has spent the past 2 months being a garage queen as I have s. l. o. w. l. y replaced everything underneath, and this is the lowest the batteries have ever been. But an overnight on the trickle charger still did the trick.



I should contact Champion and offer to sell them back to them so they can figure out where they went wrong (right) and make sure they never make such long-lasting batteries again... . :-laf

 

[Mishkaya]

Got one picture, it's not the best, but you can see how the tray and battery were cut.
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I had to cut the lower part of the battery as you can see, and had to cut each side of the battery tray so that the sides stay below the larger part of the battery. As for the tie-downs, mine worked just fine, and I didn't even have to worry about the length of the bolts; although they are only threaded in about 3/8".

 

[fairmont]

That's great! Thanks so much for your help!

 

[dieselboy25]

I went with the DieHard Platinum P-1 Size 34. Great fit and worked great on 3000 mile road trip to Colorado and subzero temps.

 

[diesel DOG]

pricey devil! I may put one in my boat. My regular diehards last 4+ years so could buy two for the price of one of these.

 

[fairmont]

Well, they fit. Cut the ribs off the bottom 4 1/2" of both ends of the batteries and nothing off the lip of the tray. Did have to knock down four nubs in the bottom of each tray with a dremel. I got to thinking as I was hacking away at the batteries "I wonder if I'm now my own 'Warranty Station' on the batteries". Hopefully it won't be an issue. Gonna try to post some photos below.....



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Thanks again Mishkaya!

 

[Mishkaya]

Well, they fit. Cut the ribs off the bottom 4 1/2" of both ends of the batteries and nothing off the lip of the tray. Did have to knock down four nubs in the bottom of each tray with a dremel. I got to thinking as I was hacking away at the batteries "I wonder if I'm now my own 'Warranty Station' on the batteries".

I cannot imagine how they could deny warranty on the batteries for something like this. I guess you cannot return them for any other reason, but if they prove to be defective I can't see it. They would be hearing from me for a long time if they tried it...

Glad to see they fit nice. On a side note, be careful they do not touch anything under the hood area as they sit quite a bit taller now. I had a hood liner in mine and it got oil soaked (blown head gasket), and that was causing a few issues. Removed the liner and haven't had a problem since.