Which Optima Yellow Top Batter Size (1 Viewer)

[soberman001]

Guys,
I have gotten 3 different answers from the jokers at the auto part store so I wanted to check with the experts here. I want a rock solid battery for all around use so I hear that Optima Yellow is a good choice. The rig is a 2004 LC100. No significant engine or power needs. Just 1 pair of off road lights on the ARB, but a lot of trailer duty.

The guys at Autozone said that the only type that shows up on their system is Red Top 35.

He has a Yellow Top (which is what I want) D34/78

Does the Yellow top in that size work in our truck without mods to the bracing? Is it the right power spec?

Cheers guys!!!

 

[mtnracer]

My 2003 LC (should be same as yours) has a special hard (not flexible) mounting system on the positive battery terminal. A standard Optima battery has the positive terminal on the opposite side from the stock LC location so this hard mount will not work without extensive modification.

I replaced my stock battery with an Optima Red Top 34R - the R designates reversed terminals which will fit the LC. There is no Yellow Top with the R designation. Even with the 34R I had to slightly bend the hard mount to make it fit. You will also need the riser block which should be supplied with the 34R.

Let me know if you have other questions.

PS: The yellow top works great as a second battery with Slee's 2nd battery tray.

 

[mobi-arc]

Go with Sears platinum AKA Odyssey and don't look back.

 

[100 TD]

If you want an Optima then the Group31 battery will fit (I run 2, they are big but fit), however for value for money I think it would be hard to pass up the Sears Platinum as noted by Mobiarc. Do a search, lots of info and pics on mounting both of these batteries.

 

[4Peanut]

Based on what I've read here on 'MUD, my understanding is that Optima Reds are good as primary/starting batteries, whereas Optima Yellows are good as secondary/accessory batteries.

 

[1loudLX]

Optimas suck, but if you want one I have one still sitting on my garage floor. Been there since my truck gave me starting issues directly related to the battery.

 

[soberman001]

Optimas suck, but if you want one I have one still sitting on my garage floor. Been there since my truck gave me starting issues directly related to the battery.

All right.. So I left the house before the first replies to this post came back. Learned the hard way about the left-right issues with yellow top. The Autozone was cool and exchanged out the Yellow for the Red 34R.

But, I didn't see the post about the Sears battery and now I am in the hospital watching my wife prep to give birth the my second son. So, if the battery gives me issues, I will go the sears route, but I think it will be fine for a few years in the warm Florida regions.

Cheers to all you guys for the posts.

 

[mtnracer]

Optimas suck, but if you want one I have one still sitting on my garage floor. Been there since my truck gave me starting issues directly related to the battery.

Sorry but I gotta disagree. I have dual Optimas (Red 34R and Blue Marine in 2nd tray) in my LC and single Yellow in my 4Runner. No problems at all.

During many camping trips I have drained the Blue Top relentlessly and it always comes back.

Optima all the way. Of course your Optima may be the exception to the rule.

 

[soberman001]

Every product, every brand will have a lot go bad. Could be the retailer or a flaw in the manufacturing not caught by QA. I have had motorcycle batteries go bad within 5 months of inactivity and windshield badly installed causing leaks.

These experiences is how we call get our opinions. Too bad Consumer Reports didn't rate the Optima in their recent edition. They had all the others but the Optima may be a specialty battery or not sold in enough volume to include in the rating.