So my new to me 03 Ex 6.0 would not start this morning without some help. It was 5 out and it had sat for about 36 hours, plugged in. I was able to jump it using the wife's Durango.

The batteries are Super Start, which I think is O'Reilly house brand, and are 2 years old according to the date on them. Short life span for batteries, IMHO.

Costco has their house brand (they don't carry anything else in batteries) for about 80 each. Trying to find an Interstate dealer open today in the blizzard to get a price on those, but they list online at 125 each.

what would you guys do, try the Costco house brand or go with name brand?

 

I feel it comes down to how long you expected to keep your truck. In my case I hope for many more years, so that meant I wanted the best battery I could find. Having spent a night in the woods 4 years ago because my 4 wheeler battery died put me on the hunt for a battery that would last which ultimately lead me to the Odyssey line of batteries. My 4 wheeler can sit unused for 2-3 months at a time, yet over the 4 years I've had the Odyssey battery it has never failed to hold a charge and start.

So when I read that Odyssey automotive batteries were going to be sold under the Sears Diehard Platinum name I installed two in my truck. No special adapters required, they come in a direct replacement for the stock battery. The downside is the considerable price, which is why I think they only make sense if you plan on keeping the truck for a few more years.

My truck sits outside and I didn't start it for a 2 week period in January that saw several sub zero days with temperatures dropping as low as -20. Even I wondered if it would eventually start, which proved unfounded as it turned over and fired up just like any other time I start my truck. In my book, I highly recommend them.

ODYSSEY Batteries - Official Manufacturer's Site

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

On edit I should add that if you're not planning on keeping the truck I'd go with the Costco batteries.

 

Walt501 is correct. It all depends on how long you intend to keep your rig, and what price you put on reliability of your rig. I NEVER scrimp on my truck batteries. I get the best and biggest that will fit my truck. But I also do not buy maintenance free or gel batteries, just old fashoined.

 

The lower end batteries will never last as long - Walmart/Costco/Sams Club/etc. I see them all of the time failing in less than 3 years. They sometimes have a replacement warranty but I'd rather it not fail in the first place. I've seen good results with Carquest (Deka), Napa Gold (Exide) on a lot of different vehicles if you decide to stay with a standard battery. I have Optima's in 2 of mine including the Ex and love them. I put the Carquest NGT Extreme (AGM) in my Explorer and Bronco and they have been great as well.

 

The Costco battery in the wifes minivan lasted longer than my Optima Yellow top in the X.

 

My Motorcraft battery lasted 5 years.

 

Costco (Kirkland brand) battery's all day, any day for me.

It's what I run in all my vehicles.

Check out these two threads: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9842172

and: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post9311106

Stewart

 

I don't think Costco is as cheapy as Walmart. I have gotten some good stuff there.

 

I put Costco's Kirkland in mine last year or so. So far, so good.

I also had it in my Camry. One year or so into it, my alternator crapped out. Replaced that with one from Autozone. Then, the battery died about 2 yrs. later. Costco has 3 yr full replacement guarantee. I was on 2 yrs. 11 months, got a brand new one for free. 2 mths later, alternator crapped out again. Free lifetime on the alternator and replaced it for free.

I think it was my alternator the whole time, but I got a free replacement. I'll stick with Costco.

 

x2 on the costco batteries, They are made by the same people (JC) who makes the ford oem batteries in your Ex. (very possible its same exact batteries just different labeling).


Quick internet search......
"Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names. Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts."
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o>Consumer Reports Article - MSN Autos</o>

 

I ended up going with the Costco batteries. I would like to get the diehard platinum, but I can buy 5 Costco batteries for the price of two platinums. They would have to not only last more than 2x as long, but somehow earn interest on the money in between!!

A quick note on Optimas. I am into building Jeeps' Several years ago a local supplier got our Jeep club a group buy on Optima's. We all dove in thinking how awesome it would be to get Optima batteries. Optima recommends the yellow top only for high drain vehicles (with winch) and red for other. I ordered 2 yellow for my two Jeeps. I went through 5 in 3 years. They replaced three under warranty, so I give them credit for that. But they were just not a good choice. Since then I have talked to dozens of people with horror stories about Optima. Basically, if you let one get too low, it is gone. And trickle chargers will destroy them after one charge.