Hi all, I think if you've been reading the forums a while, especially the 6.7 forum, I've been talkin' it up that I got a truck on order. Hope I'm not wearing out the excitement.

I do have a serious "what should I do" question. In mid June (2 months ago), I replaced my OEM batteries in my 6.4 with new Optima Red Top batteries. They are sealed AGM batteries. They are so much stronger than the OEM battery. Optima Red Top Battery - RedTop Batteries by Optima

The batteries that Ford puts in the trucks are wet cell and not maintenance free.

When my 6.7 gets here in a few weeks, should I swap out the batteries, putting the Optima Red Tops in the new truck? I've a nice investment in the batts. What would you do?

 

If it. Ain't broke, why fix it? What do you gain with replacing two brand new batteries?

 

Better cold cranking amps and more durability. I would assume the optima red tops are at least 1000 CCA whereas the stock ford battery is a garden variety 750 CCA battery you can buy anywhere for cheap. Swapping out the stock batteries for a new set of red tops is a no brainer, although I am bit surprised that someone in a relatively warm climate would spend that kind of money.

 

actually, I want to take my red tops out of my current truck and move them to the new truck, putting the Ford batteries in the old truck as part of the trade.

The Optimas are very stout batteries and so much better than the stock wet cell batteries. The Ford OEM motorcraft batteries were kinda hit or miss. Some 6.4 owners got them to last three years (a long time), some didn't make it a year. If you have a 6.4 and get the "Check Brake System" message it is due to a bad battery/low voltage.

 

I would keep the new Motorcraft's which are actually a fairly decent battery. While the Optima's do have a advantage in the durability department I have never seen them last all that long in a PSD of any year. Usually about the same or less then OEM...

When you compare the two for power the Optima wins by a slim margin, but also has a lower reserve capacity...

Optima...
800 CCA
1000 CA
100 minute reserve

OEM...
750 CCA
935 CA
140 minute reserve

 

I'm sorry I must have misread your original post.

If you just spent the money on new Optimas, I would certainly keep them for the new truck if they're only 2 months old.

I've done some research on Optimas and haven't found very many people who can say they last more than 5-7 years, which is what a good lead-acid battery will last. Heck, my 2000 Contour lived in upstate NY most of it's life and still has it's original Motorcraft battery! Never heard of an Optima that's done that.

But if you swap your red-tops to your new truck you have the chance to prove me wrong. I wouldn't see an ethical problem with it because the future owner of your 6.4L truck will be getting shiny new batteries. Go for it!

 

You have to look at it from a warranty perspective as well. Should your new truck need any warranty work that relates to electrical there would be no issue with the new OEM batteries, but could raise a red flag with the Optima's since they are technically not a direct replacement for a Group 65 battery even though they may meet/exceed the power specs of OEM...

 

I had the original Morotcrafts in my 03 when I sold it back in March and they were still going strong. I think they are a great battery and would keep them but I'm not the one who spent the extra $ on the Optima's!

 

Don't take this personally , but you obviously no nothing about batteries....Whatever you do leave the Ford wet cell alone......the Optima is pure junk and now made in Mexico...the design of the battery is horrible.
The specs are where its at.....you want to buy a battery then buy "Lifeline"

Stay waaaaaay away from Optima unless you want some trouble down the road...

This is very forum friendly advice.

Lots of opinions on here but this is sound advice from somebody who has lots of experiance with wet cells/gel etc

 

I agree with John and sell the Optimas. I have had good experiences with Diehard platinum if you are looking to ditch the factory batteries.

 

What exactly did you do to kill the Motorcraft batteries in your 08 in just 2 years? Since it's unusual to see the OEM batteries die so soon, whatever caused their pre-mature death should be factored in to your decision on which batteries to keep.

 

I agree, it is unusual to see OEM batts fail in two years. Truck purchased in Aug 2007, mfd in April 2007. Batts had to be mfd before then, were well over 3 years old. What exactly did I do? Same as everyone else - Used the truck - engine starts everyday. One battery crapped out, I replaced both with sealed AGM batteries.

 

The OEM batteries are nothing to write home about. Mine lasted just under 2 years. I had one basically completely fail and the other had severely diminished capacity. This is the norm where I live.

Another buddy of mine had one of his die at 1.5 years.

The OEM batteries just don't have a long avg lifespan, although this is true of just about any battery out here.

I bought a set of Diehard platinums and they will be transferred to my new 2011. The warranty on them alone will probably keep me from ever buying another battery again.

 

just replaced my 03 motorcrafts 750 with new 850 motorcrafts.182,000.