Optima battery users... halp?!?!

[The Abbot]

So I made my first "mod" to my LX only minutes after claiming her as my own. (heh)

I bought a new battery before I picked up the cruiser today, thought it would be a good idea to get an Optima red top to replace the battery the previous owned killed vicariously via naivete.

...But the local parts franchise computer must hate humans or something, because the Optima it recommended for my vehicle didnt have the posts in the ideal position for my LX, at all.

I had to cut away at the battery protector material (don't know what it's called, but it is lined with what appears to be weather stripping on the topmost edge and has HAD two holes in the side for the terminal leads to pass through...

ANYWAYS, long story short, I had to stretch, cut, and pull things that shouldn't be stretched, cut or pulled.. and my battery is only being held in its current position by the tension from the terminal leads rather than the nifty spreader bar setup that was holding the old battery in.

Which product number made by Optima is ideal for 80's/450's?

I'll post pics of what I had to do to make this work tomorrow... Please, if you use an Optima red top battery, show me pics of how you have it positioned under the hood!

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

There aren't many size options for optimas. More of a selection between color: red, yellow and blue.

The sears Platinum Marine would be a better choice if you can get this joint to take the optima back.

 

[NLXTACY]

The sears Platinum Marine would be a better choice if you can get this joint to take the optima back.

X *insert number here*

 

[The Abbot]

Will do, I'll go back and speak with the manager of the place. I wouldn't have even attempted to install it if wasnt my only option for getting daddys lil' moneypit back home in the first place. by the time I found out it wouldnt fit, I was about 80 miles round trip from the parts store and the sellers house.

im pretty sure I can talk them into a refund, once I show the manager my "mod" and point out how much a replacement battery protector would cost and the fact that his employee reassured me it would be the perfect battery for my ride.

 

[CDFarmer]

The Abbot,

The correct fitting Optima for your LX is a 34R (R stands for reverse terminal).
Part# 8003-151 or 800SR or SC34R (all are the same)

The Sears battery mentioned in the previous post(s) is a great battery as well, and is manufactured by Odyssey.
Don't feel stuck with your Optima if they do not accept it back, its still a great battery.
There is a lot of negative "talk" on Optima Batteries, but I've never had any of the "failures" others speak of.
Most problems are usually associated with allowing the battery voltage to drop way to low, then not properly charging the battery.
Or in some cases, using the wrong battery for ones application...... i.e. Deep Cycle, & Starting Batteries
Here is a link to properly charging Optima Batteries
Charging an Optima Battery [Optima Charg] - $0.00 : Batteries Are Us

>>>> I know, way to much info, but these Optima threads always seem to take a turn for the worse......
Chris

 

[informationjunky]

X2, I've been running a 34R in mine for years...you will need to have a spacer underneath to raise it, but the reverse post (R) will line up just fine.

 

[SeanAndHis80]

You shouldn't have had to stretch anything that much and the stock retainers should be what holds down the battery. When I originally just had the yellow top that is exactly what I did w/o any stretching. The trick was to pull the black box for the fusible links through the grommet and into the battery tray.

The Sears Platinum batteries are awesome too - but will give you exactly the same issues as they do not come in a reverse terminal configuration.

 

[KurtKuhn]

Priority Start Pro, Urban Land Cruiser cables, and Optima 34R is my set up. Heard many bad things about the Optima, but the PSP gives me the insurance that it won't drop below 11.X Volts.

And the PSP has saved me a couple of times with interior lights being left on.

-KK

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Blue Top Direct Fit

 

[SeanAndHis80]

Blue Top Direct Fit

Is it my eyes or is your 1FZ also blue topped?

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Is it my eyes or is your 1FZ also blue topped?

Yeah, I loved the battery so much I had to paint my engine to match

Actually, when I replaced my plugs and wires, I noticed a slight oil leak from one of the donut seals on the valve cover

Pulled the cover and while waiting for new seals from the dealer down the street, I decided to shoot shoot it with some Pontiac Engine Blue leftover from my 70 T/A

Also coated the wire covers with bedliner

 

[KurtKuhn]

Blue Top Direct Fit

What battery form factor is that?

-KK

 

[cool breeze]

Priority Start Pro, Urban Land Cruiser cables, and Optima 34R is my set up. Heard many bad things about the Optima, but the PSP gives me the insurance that it won't drop below 11.X Volts.

And the PSP has saved me a couple of times with interior lights being left on.

-KK

This looks like cheap insurance to keep from getting stuck powerless...it says will not allow voltage to drop when engine is off. So if im running ACCY with radio/cb/etc with the cruiser parked, it will cut power before total power drain?

 

[KurtKuhn]

This looks like cheap insurance to keep from getting stuck powerless...it says will not allow voltage to drop when engine is off. So if im running ACCY with radio/cb/etc with the cruiser parked, it will cut power before total power drain?

Yes it will, and it works.

-KK

 

[cool breeze]

Cool, perfect for late night hanging with no worries...thanks

 

[Grench]

I have two Optima yellow top D31A batteries in my truck and one in my wife's.

In both vehicles a single Optima yellow top D31A fit without modification.

In my truck I have since modified it to a dual battery setup with highly customized cables. This was not necessary to fit a single one though.

 

[UWdave]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but is that the stock battery tie-down shown in the pics? I just bought my LC and there was nothing holding the battery down. Really big Lexus battery installed.

I bought a generic kit and made it work. Eventually I plan on switching out for a Marine battery. Also those urban Cruiser kits look nice. I might as well go back to stock on the tie-down.

 

[super90]

Just had the Blue Top D31M die on me in month 38. Best I can tell, there is an 18 month free replacement warranty, and maybe a 36 month amortized replacment. I am trying to find someone that even carries the battery and go talk to them about a possible replacement. Red tops everywhere, but the 34R (reverse terminal) is harder to locate.

Also, 34R is the most direct "plug and play" Optima that I am aware of, and it has the best warranty, IIRC. My last 34R was seven years old, and I replaced it, just because it was old.

FYI, DieHard Platinum is installed now ! Tight fit though.

And yes, that is a stock battery hold down in all the above pics. Works with the Optimas, but not with the Platinum DieHard Group 31.

 

[Grench]

Interesting coincidence...

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but is that the stock battery tie-down shown in the pics? I just bought my LC and there was nothing holding the battery down. Really big Lexus battery installed.

Yes. Call Cruiserdan and tell him you need the hold down, both J hooks and all 4 nuts. Odds are he has the part numbers memorized.

His number is 800-432-6668 per the banner that is at the top of my screen at this very moment for American Toyota.