Replacing Stock Battery

[RiverWalker]

Time to replace the stock battery. Both it and the Optima Yellow top are dying rapidly in the colder air. I plan to replace them with Odyssey batteries. My problem is that the 1700MJT is longer and narrower than the stock battery. Any suggestions if it will fit, and if I need to build/buy a new battery tray? If I can buy a tray, who makes a good one.
Thanks

Cheers
River Walker

 

[GRM]

I had similar issues with optimas in the dry california climate. I went through 4 in a 1.5 year period before I gave up on them. The odyssey is alot better, but It still doesn't hold up as well as I would like.

The batteries I have been using now are Trolling Motor batteries from wal-mart. I want to say they are group 27. The one I am using now, was used for my ready welder for 2 years, then put on a shelf, then used in my dodge, then it was drained to 1 volt, before it was charged back up. Now it is back in my mini truck to replace the odyssey 1700MJT. The odyssey is still holding a charge, but since its been used for a few years, it doesn't have the starting amps anymore. I'm moving it to be my second battery for my fridge.

Its not as bling, but its $250 cheaper, and I have found it works alot better for my uses.

 

[RiverWalker]

Odyssey Battery

That is good to know. I live in Canada and have found that the batteries don't last very long. Since my wife and I go fishing and hunting by ourselves, we make sure that everything that can go wrong is the best we can afford. At least then I have someone else to blame when I have to walk out.
Did you have to modify your battery trays? This should be so simple but I find I have more questions than answers.
Thanks for you help

 

[HJ-45CrewCab]

Surprised to hear...I have heard people getting 7 or 8 years out of Panasonic original batteries. Understand you are north. Look at Sears Die Hard Platinum batteries. They are the SAME batteries as the Odyssey and come from the same parent company with same specifications and construction. Search other sections for "Best Battery" and youll get other threads on this. The Sears cost less and easier to get with out shipping. Just go to Sears. (no affiliation). The limitation with the FJC is the battery cables. They are just long enough for the original post locations and are unforgiving for a slightly different setup. Probably worth the effort to modify/lengthen original cables to get the battery you want.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/205204-best-battery.html

 

[RiverWalker]

That does it then! Next time down south of the border I will stop at Sears and get two new batteries. I think the cables are long enough in the FJ to allow a little bit of slack.
The Panasonic battery is on life support right now. I have to have a trickle charger on it when the truck is parked for more than a day. Like you I have heard of people getting a lot more life from these batteries.

Thanks for all your help
River Walker