OEM Battery Life. How are yours?

[Mactruck]

I was reading a thread about a good deal on Optimas and started thinking about my Batteries and whether I should replace them. I'm going to be heading out to Colorado this January and was thinking about how long my batteries have lasted. (Almost 3 years this dec. ) I was debating replacing them before the trip and wanted to see how everyone else's batteries have been going. I have had virtually NO problems with my OEM's but I don't want to get stuck in the midwest in winter with decaying batteries.

So How long have your batteries lasted and did you replace them when they gave you trouble or did you replace them for preventative maintenance. (or BOMBing )



Lets hear it.....

 

[illflem]

My OEMs lasted six and half years but one day out of the blue wouldn't start it. Worked fine as long as the truck was started every 12 hours or so but after that no go. Replaced with Redtops.

 

[mlockner]

Mine lasted 3 years 1 month. Seems like where I live they just don't last longer than that on any thing. All my vehicles have dead batteries at just about the 3 year mark.

Mike L.

 

[TowPro]

my original2 lasted 4 years. One day I spend far to much time cranking the truck after putting a lift pump on, to the point that the batteries needed to be charged before it would crank anymore. Then I decided it was time.



(turned out to be air in the extra long hose I had on my test gauge causing the fuel system to not prime)

 

[Riflesmith]

I just replaced mine after 4 years and three months. I am not willing to try a fifth winter on these batteries even though they have never given me any trouble. I don't like to be stranded. I replaced mine with 900 CCA batteries from Costco. 3 year full replacement and a pro-rated warranty out to 100 months.

 

[rmrc]

Mine lasted 3 years before one of them started dying off. Replaced both of them with Optima Red Tops!

 

[ralphr]

In my 99 they lasted a little over 3 years. had the dreaded lift pump problem, and had to crank it to get it started and I guess they just up and died. they were still hold a charge and turned the engine, (albeit a little slower), was at my sons father in law's garage. he put a meter on them and advised to change em out cause they coul fail at any time, (gave me a great deal on a set of delco's at his cost and did not charge me for the install). he told me to always check both batteries and replace both, (check the serial numbers on the batteries to be sure they were made at the same time, (i. e. buying a battery made last week and a second battery that had been sitting for a couple of months would produce problems)



I really think that the lift pump did them in, even after lift pump replacement and a re-flash of the ECM it never started the same since, even my 03 you have to crank it for 5 - 10 seconds before she lights up! my 99 until the lift pump problem would light off almost instantaneous no more thasn 1 -2 seconds of cranking after waiting for the wait light. hope I'll get the 3 years out of the 03's batteries!:--)

 

[y-knot]

about three years is all i ever get. They use the cheapest shi*, just like the tires.

 

[mcoleman]

I just replaced the OEMs on my 99 last week. I bought 2 800 cca extreme climate batteries from Oreilly's as my Wife works for their HR department. I also installed some of LarryB's contacts at the same time. My truck starts as quick as you can turn the key.

 

[duaneparks]

Funny you bring this up. *This morning* I had to replace mine. For the last few weeks the starter has been running slower and slower, and finally it was down to "click click" when I tried to start her today.



Truck was built in July '00 as an '01 model, put into service August '01 and these were the original batteries.



I have the same 3 year limit on my batteries it seems, as does the wife.



Duane

 

[jrobinson2]

Mine was built feb. '99 and are still good, but heading into winter those optima's are looking better every day

Jared

 

[curatchko]

My 99 with 78k miles still has the original batteries. Killed them leaving the lights on a couple months ago, but charged them up and they've been fine so far... . no sign of them dying yet.

 

[SParker]

Since you brought it up you're probably on borrowed time!

My OEM's lasted almost three years and both went out at the same time leaving me stranded. Non-serviceable, wet batteries just can't take the heat here in the south. So, I replaced them with Optima red tops and they've been going strong since '98. I have been using gel type batteries for years and they've yet to do me wrong.

 

[csevers]

I still have one oem battery left

I had one replaced under warrenty for being shorted out. The other is still good but leaking acid like crazy so I am looking for the next set. I never leave anything on (radio) and if working on it for some time under hood I always throw the charger on them just to keep them "toped off" The Optima's are looking really nice.



Craig

 

[jjohannessen]

I replaced mine in January because I did not know how if I had the original batteries in my truck. They where mopar batteries, only had the truck since June 2002. Put in Wal- Mart Everstart batteries, Good warranty and places every where to exchange.

 

[RT66DOC]

Six and a half years.

Replaced with Optima Redtops.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

In our 99 they lasted 3 years, but I used them heavily in the mountains playing music every weekend. Replaced them with optima Red Tops, then when I traded they wouldn't fit in the new one so they went with the old truck. Optimas for me when it happens again.

 

[canblue]

1125 CCA

I just replaced the batteries in my 99, in service Dec of 98, with batteries that are rated 1125 CCA from CarQuest. These are not maintainance free and are 13 inches long. It was too tight a fit and I broke off the firewall side of the battery try in order to get them in. Well worth the effort. Ohter than the length they fit very good. A little tension on the driver side +ve post but not excessive.



I went with the 1125 CCA as I am away from any electrical outlet for weeks at a time, so no block heater, batter warmer or trickle

charge.



So far, it has been like a new truck. Looking forward to some cold weather tests. Oo.

 

[Mactruck]

Based on this info I'm probably going to wait right before I go to Colorado. (jan) I plug my truck in usually during the winter and in New England we don't deal with the heat like you southern folks. We'll see how they do in the cold temps when the grid heaters start cycling again. I'll make my decision then.

I however am worried about the jostling around I've given them on my local backroads as well as four wheeling.



I'll bet I do replace them right before I go. Keep em coming...

 

[Snow man]

4 yrs so far,and still going strong. Mac, I was thinking the same thing as you,replace them now while they are on sale. I plow snow with my truck,so the batterys get a real workout all winter.