best battery (1 Viewer)

[wearsabrowncoat]

I run the Die hard p1 group 31 pictured way above. When I first went to buy it the salesman let me take it out to see if it would fit. At first I couldn't get it in the tray so I went back in the store to look at the slightly smaller group battery (looks like it might be the Group 34 like NLXTACY is running). It was then and there that I said the hell with this, I am going to make the bigger battery fit. I went back out and needed a little assistance moving everything out of the way and lots of small wiggling but I got the big one in. Making the cables stretch was cake in comparison to getting it in. The battery lock down bar is not wide enough as designed but I was able to use one original hook bolt on one side and zip tied the other side through a bolt hole on the inner fender lip. In all seriousness the battery is too tight to come loose on its own but I figured I would lose the battery bar if I didn't keep it in there.

My only recommendation is to call Sears to make sure they carry the blue (marine) batteries we are using. Not all locations have them and this is the best battery for the money ~$200 plus tax and no $10 core fee in Washington when I bought it because it is not classified as an automotive battery.

 

[NLXTACY]

When I do the dual set up in the 60 I will be taking the 34M out of the LX and put into the 60. I will get a new 31M for the LX.

 

[HJ-45CrewCab]

I use the larger PM-1 in the HJ as the starting battery, so no problem with fitment. Odyssey doesn't market the 2150 as either a marine/starting battery so I think Sears is just trying to follow traditional labels/specs. I will probably be buying the smaller PM-2 for the FJC.


Glad to see others saving $$ with these Platinums. This migrated over to Expedition Portal, and have seen many use them.

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

Ok.... So the Die-Hard platinum group 31 is the biggest/best that will fit in an 80 without modifying the stock battery tray? Or is there a bigger one?

How about for a 60? Largest/best that will fit?

Last but not least... Why the blue top? Marine?
Platinum makes different colored tops?

I think I'm sold!

 

[NLXTACY]

For the Sears branded platinum/odyssey, the blues are Marine/deep cycle. You "can"get the 31 into either tray. Aux side is easier because of tha fact that cables you will have to make anyway. At least for me I was making. The top toyota bracket was not long enough to fit the battery in the groove. The 34 just fit right in and the difference between the two isnt that much. On the 60 series this isnt an issue because the battery hold down is down the center of the battery BUT I have a feeling that the 31 might be too high. Not sure yet thought.

 

[overhanger]

Deka Group 31 8A31DT AGM fits the stock FJ62 battery tray with a minimum of fuss - J hook will have to be an inch or so longer than stock and the battery tray will need to be trimmed a hair. All the battery I need and works the fridge, winch and everything else with ease and the stock battery cables hook up just fine. American made. Stock Toyota battery in the 80 rocks pretty well too - no winch but runs the fridge for days without fail.

 

[OGBeno]

Just purchased 2 batteries today based on some of the advice given here regarding the Sears Platinum series.

I've always been a Sears battery guy--all of my vehicles have had Sears batteries.

My cruiser had two Diehard Golds in them and the primary battery had developed a reasonable leak at the positive terminal.

I went and got the following today:

Starting/main: Diehard Platinum Group 65 ($189.99)
Aux battery: Diehard Platinum Marine Group 34 ($189.99).

The cool thing was that I brought my Diehard Golds in which I purchased in 2005 and they gave me a credit of $67 on one and the full price ($109.99) on the other...I walked out of there with two new Diehard Platinums for the total price of $225.

Great bargain and I will always go to Sears for tool and battery needs.

Fitment was (is) an issue--they are shorter than the Golds so I am going to have to fab up some spacers to place them correctly in the battery trays.

Other than that, I am very satisfied with Sears customer service and their product. The Golds did me well for three years without fail--winching, idling, dual battery wasting--no issues. Started up everytime in cold and in hot weather.

I'm psyched to see the new Platinums at work.

best.
-onur

 

[NLXTACY]

Just get the spacers from Pep Boys or Checker/Kragen. They just throw them out.

 

[OGBeno]

Just get the spacers from Pep Boys or Checker/Kragen. They just throw them out.

Really?

Thanks for the tip. I'll check tomorrow.

Learn something everyday on MUD. Gotta love it.

 

[NLXTACY]

yeah I was surprised and I was in Pep Boys getting who knows what. I looked at the battery aisle and saw that a bunch of them came with the spacers. I asked about buying one and he laughed and said to take it because they throw them all away.

 

[wct49]

another reason Mud is so great!

ordered a PM1 31M today for $239.99 on line then went by and picked it up at the local store.
found a coupon on line here Sears Coupon Codes - all coupons, discounts and promo codes for sears.com
for 10% off.

don't forget to take a old battery for a core. $10.00 more if you don't.

 

[NLXTACY]

Good to know, I am coming up to doing dual batteries on my 60 in the next month or so.

 

[Filmpros]

How did you get a 31 to fit? I tried to put two (2) Sears Platinum 31 Marine batteries in my LC and they would not fit in either of the two (2) battery locations.

Just bought a 31 series yellow top Optima, larger version of the standard Optima that is like having 1& 2/3rds batteries. Very nice and for about 230$. I run a standard yellow top in my 40 and have never had any issues with that one either,

 

[NLXTACY]

Hey FILMPROS, here's what WEARSABROWNCOAT said about it.

I run the Die hard p1 group 31 pictured way above. When I first went to buy it the salesman let me take it out to see if it would fit. At first I couldn't get it in the tray so I went back in the store to look at the slightly smaller group battery (looks like it might be the Group 34 like NLXTACY is running). It was then and there that I said the hell with this, I am going to make the bigger battery fit. I went back out and needed a little assistance moving everything out of the way and lots of small wiggling but I got the big one in. Making the cables stretch was cake in comparison to getting it in. The battery lock down bar is not wide enough as designed but I was able to use one original hook bolt on one side and zip tied the other side through a bolt hole on the inner fender lip. In all seriousness the battery is too tight to come loose on its own but I figured I would lose the battery bar if I didn't keep it in there.

My only recommendation is to call Sears to make sure they carry the blue (marine) batteries we are using. Not all locations have them and this is the best battery for the money ~$200 plus tax and no $10 core fee in Washington when I bought it because it is not classified as an automotive battery.

 

[lndcruz]

well right now im running a everstart maxx. The po had it in there and so far so good. I was impressed that when my alternator went I was able to drive about 30 minutes before dying, then being able to charge back up. Well see how much longer it will last, next ill be buying the diehard that everyone is raving over.

 

[jamisobe]

How did you get a 31 to fit? I tried to put two (2) Sears Platinum 31 Marine batteries in my LC and they would not fit in either of the two (2) battery locations.

They are a tight fit. A bit of clearancing was necessary when I did mine.

 

[Lil' runnah]

I have had a lot of experience with Optimas in the past and I'm done with them. I know some people love them but when they die, they seem to go fast. I was going to go with Oddyssey but when I found these DieHard's that are basically just rebadged Oddysseys for $189 each, i was sold. 4 year unconditional return policy helped too.

Here's how they look in the 80:

 

[cody c]

I had optima red tops from costco, they worked well for a few months, but in the cold weather they wouldnt hold there charge.
after not running the vehicle for a few weeks and then jumping the vehicle it would be flat the next day, initially when i got them they were good, the crappy thing is costco only reimbursed me with an in house refund, so you cant take your money else where.

I now have AGRO batteries from John deere, if i remember i will post how they work later on down the road. These are a 2 year over the counter warranty part.

 

[619TOY]

Is it just me, or are those big puck terminals hanging precariously close to that steel strap with nothing more than a strip of electrical tape for insulation? I would highly consider rethinking those terminals if so. I would hate to think of your rig burning to the ground and nobody tried to prevent it

 

[Lil' runnah]

Is it just me, or are those big puck terminals hanging precariously close to that steel strap with nothing more than a strip of electrical tape for insulation? I would highly consider rethinking those terminals if so. I would hate to think of your rig burning to the ground and nobody tried to prevent it

yeah, the puck on the positive terminal was replaced, these pictures were taken right when I got the truck home after buying the batteries. there is also insulation under the puck but I still didn't like it. I haven't gotten around to replacing the negative as it doesn't really matter other than looks.