The battery is headed out. What is the minimum CCA needed for this engine?

 

So I was able to answer my own question. This is the first replacement I'll have to do in the Explorer. What are yall seeing as the best batteries as far as longevity and overall quality? The Motorcraft Max has a good warranty. I've heard multiple places that Interstate is not what it used to be...

 

Oh, I was going to say I've had the best luck with Interstate, but it has been several years since I've had to buy a battery....

Years ago I had bad luck with Duralast batteries which is when I went back to Interstate. Recently I had to replace the battery in my Aviator and, out of convenience, put a Duralast in it and it's still working fine and starting the truck on cold days.

-Rod

 

I don't have much concrete to say on the Interstates. Just heresay claiming that they've gone down hill over the years. I dunno though.

 

The original Ford battery in my 94 4.0L lasted 9 years and the second battery, an Interstate lasted 5 years. The current battery is an Autocraft Gold battery which has lasted 3 years and still going strong. The Autocraft brand is sold by Advance Auto Parts. The folks at Advance told me I am lucky if I get 5 years out of a battery in the central Florida climate where my Explorer resides.

 

My original Exploder battery lasted 5 years. I use E65-N Energizer batteries with 850 CCA in all of my battery applications. (01 Explorer, 89 Dodge W-150 (dual batteries), 62 John Deere 450 crawler loader, and my home made log splitter. I get about 7-8 years of service. Warranty is 3 years free replacement, 8 years prorated replacement, and they are cheaper than the Advance Autocraft Gold. The wife's Exploder always gets the newest battery and I move her older battery to one of the other applications. I have learned one thing over the years: If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy.

 

If you want to best longevity & performance, get on Odyssey battery. Here's the specs on the series 65 that goes in my mounty.

Odyssey PC1750T

 

Yeah I looked at Odyssey batteries. They're pretty awesome but I just can't swing $300 for one right now. Went with another Motorcraft Max 850 cca. Was all they had in group 65 and was the same price as the 650 cca. Maybe it'll give me some years and if not 36 month free replacement and 37-100 months prorated replacement.