Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Optimas

[02diesel]

Ok Guys, I spent several hours reading the posts on Optima batteries on our site. I still have questions. My stock battery is leaking causing a mess of the cable and their connections. It is time to change to the Optimas. Our recommended battery is a group27 which I could not find a direct replacement for. I also searched the Optima web site and they did not have a recommended size for our trucks that I could find.





In my search of the TDR posts I found some recommending the use of the D31 size which sounds like it may be a little big for the tray. I have found others using the size 34/78 which appears to fit but does not have the reserve capacity that it needed according to the factory batteries. Then there are Red tops VS Yellow/blue top recommendations. I am more confused now than when I started.



My questions is this. Since there seems to be a ton of people using Optimas here what sizes are you all actually using. Please I am not just looking for Opinions here I am looking for information as to what everyone is actually using and dow is it working out. This will help we immensely and hopefully a lot of others that are on the fence on this issue.





Thanks

Frank

 

[Thomas]

Three years using the redtop 34/78. Mostly in coastal California. Some use in sub-zero conditions.



A poll might be a better way to collect the information you want.

 

[02diesel]

Thomas, Thanks for the idea. I went ahead and set up a poll as you suggested. I just want to be sure I get the right batteries. Sounds like you are having good luck wit the 34/78. .

 

[RCook]

I use the red-top 34's in my truck, and the blue-top marine starter version (same battery as red top, but with different terminals) for my boat diesel. 3-4 years on both sets, and they're super. The red-tops spin my Cummins wonderfully, even when it's 10 degrees (which it is occasionally here in the Salt Lake area, and the truck does live outside).



A common misunderstanding seems to be that the blue-tops are more deep-cycle types. Actually blue-tops come in both starter and deep-cycle versions.

 

[MKoth]

I am using the D31's. Had to do a little trimming on the battery tray, as well as use longer hold down bolts. Took a total of on hour to get everything changed over so the bigger batteries would fit.

 

[obert]

My optimas have been great. I drive a company truck so mine sits alot, and even after weeks of setting in extreme cold this past winter, she started flawlessly in the very cold morning to jump the dead work truck.

 

[KBalzuweit]

I have red tops. They are ok, but for the money not something I would buy again. In my previous truck I went to a Interstate store and bought Blems (case had a cosmetic defect) and ran them for years and heck I can get them for $25 or $30 each!

 

[kscheffler]

Mkoth:



What exactly did you have to do to the battery trays. Where did you find longer anchor bolts. I have all ready purchase the red tops but now I am wondering if I should go with the D31's... Thanks for the response. . kts

 

[Walt-L]

I used to think Interstates were the best and matched them pair against pair for cranking speed against the higher CCA Sears gold in a old 7. 3. The Interstates provided sronger starts there. When I bought a 97 6. 5 Chevy the dealer had put in one new delco. not one year latter I was haveing trouble. So, I put in One red top optima in with the good delco for about 3 months befor I put the second optima in. Soon the truck was getting weaker and weaker starts untill it flat out would not start. I already put in a new 140 amp altinator while this was going on. The Optimas had self destructed on a perfectly good electrical system. one optima would not charge past 5 volts and the other had a dead short in it. They were tost. I bought them off the battery web .com and NO LOCAL Optima dealers would exchange them because I didnt buy them there. Optima said mail them back ($48. 00) for a exchange. Basicaly I got screwed and took em to the dump. Went to Wal Mart picked up a pair of the big yellow ever starts for something like $59 a piece with a no questions asked warrenty and you should have seen how fast the 6. 5 would glow and start!!! A year later I sold the Chevy and the walmart batteries were still kickin a**. So, as much as I'm not a real big fan of Wal Mart, I gotta say, thats were Im going for batteries these days. Oh I first tried the wally big yellows in a Diesel Massy 1010 that has worn rings three years ago and now I still get it fired in the cold, where it spun OK with the old battery but no way would it glow it strong enough to start.

IMO, optimas are over priced and they will not handle a imbalance in your system for long before they are junk.

Walt

 

[JGK]

Be advised, I believe Interstate bought out Optima a few years ago and internally the two may be the same battery. I have Interstate red tops in mine and I think they are beginning to fade. I've had a few weaker than normal starts in the morning the last few weeks. They are only about 3 years old. If these things are giving it up already, I'm not impressed.



-Jay

 

[obert]

NOTE: Interstate does NOT make batteries. They label and market bateries. Probly the same batteries that had the walmart label on them. I know they are the same batteries at Advance Auto with a champion label on them. There are only a few Batt. manufacturers, wet or dry style.



Yes, Jay, Interstate "spira-call" and optima "spira-cell" batteries are the same.

 

[tgbol]

This is taken from the website for Johnson Controls



"Johnson Controls is the largest automotive battery manufacturer in North America. We continue to gain market share as a result of our continuous efforts to improve battery quality and life, and by partnering with a select group of strong retailers and distributors.



Our aftermarket battery customers include AutoZone, Pep Boys, Interstate Battery, Sears, Wal-Mart and Costco. We also make original equipment batteries for automakers including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Toyota. Investments in new product and process technology that bring value to our battery customers help us maintain our market leadership. "

 

[JHerrlich]

I have the D31M Marine Deep Cycle. Works pretty good for me. I didn't have to modify the battery tray in any way. I just had to bend the ears on the holddown bracket a little bit and remove one of the holddown bolts from the radiator for the cable connecting the batteries together. The cable needs a little more room to get to the battery terminal. I also had to remove the grid heater wires and attach them to the screw terminals on the new battery.

 

[OTRPU]

JCI made batteries when I worked for them, at least they had a battery division with mgrs that attended Project Manager meetings. Must be doing something right only been around bout 120 years.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[tgee]

My 96 had optimas, dont remember what size, but they fit without modification. They were 5 years old when I sold the truck, saw lots of 0 degree starts wothout the block heater, and no dirty terminals. Red tops, my 98 1/2 will get them soon. Big believer in replacing both batts at the same time.

 

[madmax4688]

The biggest problem with optima is there warrenty. I do car electronics for a living and my moneys going into a set of rockford fosgate 1100 cca deep cycles with a 24 month over the counter exchange warrenty. they are pricey though $250 retail I sell them for $200. But I run a plow and strobe lights all winter plus a full sound system. I also put a 220 amp alt on her to make sure she charges perfect.

 

[HeavyHauler]

I just installed two D31A yellow-tops. They fit perfectly - no trimming or other bolts necessary.