New Battery for FJ60

[VitaminC914]

It looks like my Interstate battery has served its 5 year life span. Time to search for a new battery. Does anyone know the group size of the OEM battery? I am seeing 27, 24, 34 and 75. I just need the OEM. Not interested in Optima or Odyssey. I have had great luck with AC Delco, and Interstate.
Any advice is appreciated.

 

[HemiAlex]

27 is the factory size. I didn't like my ac delco 27 very much due to a dead cell at 4 years and a tendency to leak. I swapped it for an Optima Red top 34/78 4 months ago and I've been very happy.

Interstate didnt have a super premium group 27. And my local Costco didn't have their interstate branded items in that size either.

If you want to go with an interstate AGM in group 34 it gets pricer than optima.

 

[micruz60]

I have done well with group 27 Duralast lead-acid batteries over the years, usually get 7-10 years.

 

[MACFJ60]

I recently went with a Napa Legend Group 27. So far I have been happy.

 

[zakthor]

I have had costco's interstate 27dc for 7 years. Theyre $88.

One thing that helps is a smart charger. If vehicle will sit for weeks without use i'll give it a night on the charger before using it. I have a schumacher charger from local auto store - terrible instructions, no documentation yet it does exactly what it should (float voltage up slowly kee'ing amps in check.)

 

[VitaminC914]

I have had costco's interstate 27dc for 7 years. Theyre $88.

One thing that helps is a smart charger. If vehicle will sit for weeks without use i'll give it a night on the charger before using it. I have a schumacher charger from local auto store - terrible instructions, no documentation yet it does exactly what it should (float voltage up slowly kee'ing amps in check.)

That is where I am leaning. I also have the same charger and I have had good luck with it. I do want to test the battery by putting a load on it to make sure it is defective before buying a new one. It is hard to believe that an Interstate battery only lasted 5 years with very little use since the truck sat more than it was driven. But that could be the reason why as well.

 

[zakthor]

That is where I am leaning. I also have the same charger and I have had good luck with it. I do want to test the battery by putting a load on it to make sure it is defective before buying a new one. It is hard to believe that an Interstate battery only lasted 5 years with very little use since the truck sat more than it was driven. But that could be the reason why as well.

Yeah, if you let a battery sit and voltage drops too far a cell can be damaged. But I've had mine sit for months with no issue, would be bad though if you had something leaching current. Have you checked the water level in your cells?

What is the symptom you are seeing today?

If it is just weak start then you might spend some time exploring your ground and starter cables and the connections.

You can debug pretty quickly by running a jumper cable on the cable path you are suspicious of. I recently found the battery end of my starter cable had cracked almost through under the crimp, resistance was low but insufficient voltage when there was a load. I couldn't see any problem until I cut through the crimp. My solution was to cut off the last inch of the cable and crimped a new end and truck now starts great.

 

[VitaminC914]

Yeah, if you let a battery sit and voltage drops too far a cell can be damaged. But I've had mine sit for months with no issue, would be bad though if you had something leaching current. Have you checked the water level in your cells?

What is the symptom you are seeing today?

If it is just weak start then you might spend some time exploring your ground and starter cables and the connections.

You can debug pretty quickly by running a jumper cable on the cable path you are suspicious of. I recently found the battery end of my starter cable had cracked almost through under the crimp, resistance was low but insufficient voltage when there was a load. I couldn't see any problem until I cut through the crimp. My solution was to cut off the last inch of the cable and crimped a new end and truck now starts great.

Thank you for the tip. I will make sure to check that when we do the load test. It is basically a weak start so it is possible that the starter isn't getting the full load of the battery.

 

[zakthor]

Thank you for the tip. I will make sure to check that when we do the load test. It is basically a weak start so it is possible that the starter isn't getting the full load of the battery.

Ground cable too... check both sides of circuit to the battery.

I'd check the cables (ends) before I bothered driving anywhere for a 'load test'. Those machines give a very coarse estimate of battery performance.

 

[yewtawkid]

Prior to replacing the tray with stainless steel and installing an Optima yellow top 34/78, I solved a battery issue (went from working to "dead" overnight) by putting a new positive terminal on and cleaning the negative really well.

 

[dpr64]

Go for the Costco 65 group.... Max cca and reserve capacity along with the great costco return/warranty albeit 3 years. Batteries + has the crowd pleasing 5 year warranty and the 27 group and 65 group are good ones there but be prepared to pay $$

 

[dpr64]

The 27 was also available at costco but lacked a little in capacity?