Hello and a battery question

[George 2000]

Long time listener, first time caller

I have a 2000 Land Cruiser with the 4.7 liter motor. I picked it up almost 2 years ago with 80K miles on it. Car was a grocery-getter for a stay-at-home mom. I live outside of Boston, and use the L.C. as an everyday driver and for towing a boat, driving over sand and getting into the mountains for ski trips. The car runs fine and tows the boat well.

I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions, but for now, I was wondering what the correct size battery is. What's in there now doesn't fit the battery tray, which to me is an indication that it's the wrong group size. Lately, it has been weak on the start on cold days, and it's at least 3 years old from the looks of it (no date stamped on it). What's the best battery I could put in there? I work near a sears auto center, and I just bought some AGMs for the boat, so I'm thinking of going the same route for the L.C.

Also, what do you think are the best vent visors to install? I ordered a set from auto parts warehouse, and they looked like they came off a wreck! completly scratched up, too thin and cheap looking.

Thanks very much!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Rumor has it the Sears Platinum is a rebadged Odyssey. I don't know if they make a reverse terminal model that fits.

Are vent visors the smoked plastics things that go in the front windows? I think I've seen them in the MacNeil ad in magazines.

 

[BigBlue99]

Sears Platinum just did very will in a test done by Overland Journal.

Here's a link to a group 35 battery:
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Personally, I just go with Kirkland (Costco). They're highly rated in CR (if you follow that), cheap ($60), and have a great warranty.

 

[Brock]

I just replaced the Panasonic with a Sears Platinum in my 2000 LX 470...WOW what a difference in cranking power. Almost 1300 cranking amps now...

 

[geocruiser]

Sears Platinum just did very will in a test done by Overland Journal.

Here's a link to a group 35 battery:
Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more[/url

I recently purchased that batt for my primary a few weeks ago. Truck now starts much faster on cold mornings. Been very happy so far, and have heard only good things about them. The grp35 is smaller than the stock grp34R.

 

[George 2000]

Thanks fellas. So, it sounds like a group 35 is what I need. I think I'll give a call over to sears and see what the options are. I like the idea of an AGM, so probably go with a platinum.

Trunk, yes, that's what vent visors are - they let you crack the windows with the heat on, etc. come in handy during snow storms.

 

[pman]

Go big or go home......Sear Diehard Platinum group 31 in a 100

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/218815-another-can-i-fit-battery-my-100-thread.html

 

[patrickfinley]

Yup as everyone says Sears Diehard Platinum. It's pricey but good. Even Consumer Reports loves it!

 

[George 2000]

looks like I am going to have the same problem putting a platinum into the L.C. as others have. I like the copper busbar idea, but don't have the time/tools to make it work. any off-the-shelf adapters I could use?

 

[bkgee]

I had no problem getting the correct size in the LC

Initially I tried to stuff a larger one in, and it was a less than ideal fitment. I went back and got the right stuff Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

works like a champ! Turned over as well last week (-4 F in Truckee) as it did in Reno all summer.

edit: I got mine for $190 IIRC. The warranty is outstanding, 100% for 6 years then prorated for the next 4 years. Evidently they expect it to last.

 

[George 2000]

Looks like group 35 may be the right fit then. Wonder if the battery tray/spacing on the 2000 L.C. changed much in 2001?

 

[NMuzj100]

The Group 35 fits easy but isn't as big a battery as the original. I have the Diehard Platinum Group 35 but wish I went for a bigger battery. They are the same price!

The OEM batt is a group 27 which can be hard to find and most places will tell you the Group 35 is the best match.

Wrangler NW Power Products can build you a short custom cable - (Page 26 in the catalog)

Military terminal + heavy duty lugs + 4" 2 gauge or 1/0 red cable + polarity marked shrink tubing + large battery terminal cover = Custom battery extension.

I've had custom cables made by Wrangler NW before and they were very nice. Wish I had gone this route.

 

[George 2000]

Thanks everyone.

 

[JMays]

Looking for new battery myself. Anyone have any precautions on the install??

I don't have nav, but i've heard people blowing them during a battery change...

 

[Musky]

Interstate makes a good battery and they also own optima. I've had good luck with them here on the frozen tundra.

 

[moooooooo]

Long time listener, first time caller

Also, what do you think are the best vent visors to install? I ordered a set from auto parts warehouse, and they looked like they came off a wreck! completly scratched up, too thin and cheap looking.

Thanks very much!

George, get your pics up so we can check out the 2000 'cruiser!

Can you tell me what a vent visor is? Is that USA speak for a side weather shield as we call them in Oz?
Have a great Christmas if i dont hear from you!
cheers
peter

 

[Brock]

My 2000 LX470 took the Group 35 Diehard Platinum without a problem.....over 1300 cranking amps when they tested it after install. It spins like a top now during startup. I think it was on sale for $175 or 185 locally.

I use Interstate in my motorcycle....and always keep it on a Battery Tender Plus...so one battery lasts me 5-6 years. I am on second battery since 2002 with the bike....replaced first one when I noticed it was not spinning as fast anymore....more of preventive measure than need.

 

[FATrabbit]

In researching an aux battery for a 2-battery system, I have learned that the original factory size is Group 27F. Pep Boys sells a Bosche platinum battery in the size (these Bosche batteries performed well in the recent CR testing in other group sizes).

Don't know about CCA comparisons with the Die-Hard Group 35 batteries people are talking about.

 

[moooooooo]

well i ran down my Optima yellow top aux battery, the smaller of the two, but i had a Waeco 80L fridge/freezer in the back 24x7 for 18 months and didnt drive the beast everyday and at the time where i worked was only 1.5kms away. So the beast didnt even get warm driving to and from work and of course the dual batteries well...the primary was getting charged, but the aux wsnt really.

I bought another one a few months ago, but i havent been away since, but i now drive to Melbourne everyday which is about 25km each way, so about 50km.

I've also read that if you do drain the sealed battery you cant jump start it at all. But seriously, if that happens then you;ud have prior notice in my opinion.

You guys over in the USA with your automatic trans would be stuffed either way ...whereas me with my manual i can push start the car. Not so with the gel battery if it has reached its recharge limit in terms of going flat and recharging it.

Supposedly the yellowtop i had was good for 300+ recharges from going flat....well....18 months...yeah i killed it.
I would happily recommend the Optima, as it did what i was told it would do. I have a Solar panel now and the new battery.

I am thinking of replacing the factory Exide primary battery with on Optima as well as it's getting on in age, but given wht i said above about push starting (and jumpstarting too)...dunno.
We'll see.
cheers
peter