I have a '94 F-150 with a 302 5.0 v8. I want to replace my expired Everstart maxx 65-s. Willing to spend 150. What batttery do you recommend?

 

Die Hard Gold is made by Deka, not an AGM like the Platinum, but a good battery.

Just as important though, whatever battery you decide make sure the electrons you're paying for get where they need to go. A fresh set of positive and negative cables, secured to clean, shiny bright block and frame connections will keep your starter zipping and the alternator/charging system happy. In your '94 they are well over 20 years old. The cables are expired too, basically.

 

Alrighty well I guess I'm gonna take this everstart maxx and refund it, then go for a better battery and new cables.

I've noticed that my battery cables have a few smaller cables connected to the terminals. Where can I find replacements for these?

 

I got mine at Costco. Group Size 65. It's an Interstate battery.

 

Just personal preference here but I like to use either marine starting batteries or just a regular starting battery with the marine terminal adapters. I replaced my battery cable ends with copper lugs that fit the threaded studs on marine terminals. These seem to hold back corrosion a lot better than the lead or steel standard-type terminals. My winch also connects to the battery in the same way, so it makes for cleaner wiring. Same deal on my boat. Strangely enough, the boat battery almost never has any corrosion on it, and it has an old-school unregulated charging system too!

I've never had a problem with Neverstart MAXX. Truck and boat both have them and I replace every 2-3 years since I don't like to play battery roulette. But if you want a battery that will last an incredibly long time just go get a Motorcraft. They last forever in my experience.

 

I find one with at least factory CCA rating and the best warranty. For me that's Motorcraft batteries.

 

What's wrong with your current (heh) battery again?

Anyway, yeah the old school trucks didn't have much other than 1/0 straight cables. More recent trucks, the OEM cables, are sometimes kind of fancy, and with a price tag to match. This discourages replacement.

The best solution to this problem is sometimes a welding supply company - they often can make up cables with the terminals, length and extras you want for a lot better price.

What happens with your original cables is the crimp between terminals and cable get corroded, and start to drop voltage and current. When it comes to high amperage circuits anything other than clean bright shiny tight causes problems.

 

Exide from Tractor Supply Company or Super Start from O'Reilly are two brands I like. Both USA made as well.

 

The biggest CAT battery that will fit, usually 880cca which cranks a small block very well.

 

Ain't those CAT batteries made by East Penn or Deka as well?

 

CAT batteries suck, trust me I work for CAT. Get an Optima.

 

My tip to add to this is you can get a Group 27 to fit with very minor modification to the box, and the Group 27 is usually about $25 cheaper than the Group 65 that is OEM, and generally has more CCA to boot. I have 27s in my '91 F150 and my son's '95 F150.

I buy Everstarts just because I can always find a Wal-Mart when I need a replacement.

 

My dad worked at cat as well, they have turned our diesels quite well for 4 years. They only cost $135 with tax per 880cca battery which is pretty good.

 

Stay FAR away from Exide
PURE trash. We had more returned batteries when I worked for NAPA than you could fathom(EXIDE used to make NAPA batteries, now Deka does)

I myself prefer Deka. American made and right here in PA
Also my Local Carquest auto parts batteries are made by deka so they are easy to get

 

I am on my 3rd warrantied Napa battery in 1 year. Manager finally upgraded me without the extra pay. I expect it to go out soon and then I'll be getting another warrantied battery.

From what I've heard marine batteries are built with superior components. My next car battery that I purchase will be a marine battery.