Battery Advice FJ60

[vanyoska]

Hey all of you seasoned techies: What's the best or decent, reliable battery for an '85 or '87 FJ60? Whichever one I decide to buy, neither have super stereo systems, just normal AM/FMs w/ CD. They won't be used for off-roading. No special equipment, just filled with a lot of cargo (500 pounds?). I'd use whichever one I may buy for a long 4 day highway trip and then some shorter ones. I heard an Optima may be good? Is this necessary? And if so, which one should I buy? I'd prefer one that doesn't require any special conversion? Or is there another choice?
Thanks,
Vanyoska
ratmoppett@verizon.net

 

[Dave-T]

red top optima for longevity.

 

[vanyoska]

hey thanks. Is there a specific #? Does it need any mods to install?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

How about a group 27 from Costco. Cheap, decent, good warranty. The 60 tray holds a group 27-that's a really big battery and you may as well get one.

The Interstate Megatron I had previously was great for 7 years! Hard to find though, at least for me.

I like Blue top Optimas, but they are spendy and you don't have any special needs.

Even a Diehard Gold would be OK but more money.

 

[CSA]

Optima does not make a battery sized for a 60 tray. Optima's can work, but you have to use a spacer beneath the battery, and the oem hold down still doesn't fit quite right. Until recently, you could buy a really awesome stainless steel battery tray with a hold down designed for the optimas, but those trays are not available any more, IIRC. Also, the Optima red tops don't seem to so well if you don't drive the truck regularly.

You need a Group 27 F battery to fit the tray and your battery cables correctly.

 

[vanyoska]

Thanks. Any idea aobut how much this costs?

 

[CSA]

Thanks. Any idea aobut how much this costs?

Here is a link to the trays and so forth I mentioned above (unfortunately no longer available): http://www.stainlesstrays.com/?cat=1

A good 27F battery shouldn't run you more than 60$ to 80$. As CruiserDrew mentioned, the Costco batteries are a pretty good deal.

 

[ellington12]

Interstate.

 

[Tinker]

Interstate bought Optima a few years ago. My mechanics next door say Interstate lead/acid. I like Optimas. They now come with a plastic cover that becomes the spacer on the bottom to make 'em fit.

If you have a Batteries Plus near you that's probably the cheapest price you'll find. Sometimes the big box stores sell them.

 

[CSA]

Hey all of you seasoned techies: What's the best or decent, reliable battery for an '85 or '87 FJ60? Whichever one I decide to buy, neither have super stereo systems, just normal AM/FMs w/ CD. They won't be used for off-roading. No special equipment, just filled with a lot of cargo (500 pounds?). I'd use whichever one I may buy for a long 4 day highway trip and then some shorter ones. I heard an Optima may be good? Is this necessary? And if so, which one should I buy? I'd prefer one that doesn't require any special conversion? Or is there another choice?
Thanks,
Vanyoska
ratmoppett@verizon.net

Optima does not make a battery sized for a 60 tray. Optima's can work, but you have to use a spacer beneath the battery, and the oem hold down still doesn't fit quite right. Until recently, you could buy a really awesome stainless steel battery tray with a hold down designed for the optimas, but those trays are not available any more, IIRC. Also, the Optima red tops don't seem to so well if you don't drive the truck regularly.

You need a Group 27 F battery to fit the tray and your battery cables correctly.

Correction: You need a Group 27 size, not a Group 27 F.

 

[cruiser88]

The Optima will fit fine. However dump the oem holder and run down to your local autocrap and buy the universal KITS and what I mean is you need to buy the 2- 8 inch j-bolts and the universal holder itself. They come seperate. 15 bucks, you are good to go. I just payed 128 bucks for my red top

 

[sl33py]

old thread revival - sorry. what happened to the SS trays? i had two, but think i lost the DS one. damn i need to clean my garage and find all my cruiser crap!

before i sell my 87 i think i'll swap the SS tray in it to the new 85!

anyone know why the SS aren't avail anymore?

rob

 

[sl33py]

thanks 2mbb! That sucks. They are gorgeous (as much as a batt tray can be.) I will definitely pirate mine to the new rig. now i just need to find the DS one... looks like i finally have to unbox LC stuff in the mess(garage).

happy holidays!

rob

 

[Cruiserdrew]

If you're talking about the stainlesstrays.com product, from what I remember the price of stainless steel just became too high. Too bad because I understand he had a very nice product.

Actually, Noel the dude that made them lost access to his laser cutter. Great product, I wish I'd stockpiled.

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

cant someone help him out???? I need some of them!
oh well...

 

[fj60dave]

wal-mart. takes the largest they make. has a warranty that is most helpful and wal-mart is everywhere, so you are not likely to get stranded and have to buy another brand because there is no specialty store in the wilderness. also, when i lived in texas the heat cooked the batteries and i mostly only had about 2-years of service from one...which, with warranty was about $17...not bad. buy local.

 

[NLXTACY]

Odysessy/Sears and be done:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/253305-what-battery-60-a.html