Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Battery recommendations?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 26, 2014 | 12:43 PM
  #16  
04badford's Avatar
04badford
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,833
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
Originally Posted by olfordsnstone
Costco/Kirkland batteries for me. Work great and there are Costcos all over the place, where ever you go. They are very good about exchanging them (in pairs) if there is a problem too.
Tim have you had any problems with the leaking? my be mine were just bad off the get or it was returned and put back on the shelf, they are cheaper than Interstate.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2014 | 12:53 PM
  #17  
FI460's Avatar
FI460
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
From: Yreka, CA
Havent been real impressed with walmart batteries. I have them in both my 460 and trans am and they dont like to sit for ANY length of time.

I had them in my 6.0l and they were good for a while, but it was a daily driver.

I have exide's in the 7.3. The price and warranty were good but I'm not a fan. They leak and I feel like theyre starting to get week after about 18 months.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2014 | 12:55 PM
  #18  
olfordsnstone's Avatar
olfordsnstone
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
04badford,
Nope, no leaks yet. One of my original Motorcraft batteries leaked, but so far the Kirkland batts are holding up well.

One thing, one of my Kirkland batteries did loose a cell. It happened around the same time my alternator failed, on a road trip. Not sure which caused which to fail, battery or alternator, but Costco replaced both batteries at a store in Southern California, no questions asked. I guess that's why I paid for the Costco membership card, great service and warranties.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2014 | 01:09 PM
  #19  
olfordsnstone's Avatar
olfordsnstone
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
Originally Posted by FI460
Havent been real impressed with walmart batteries. I have them in both my 460 and trans am and they dont like to sit for ANY length of time.

I had them in my 6.0l and they were good for a while, but it was a daily driver.

I have exide's in the 7.3. The price and warranty were good but I'm not a fan. They leak and I feel like theyre starting to get week after about 18 months.
I googled Walmart batteries after reading a negative post earlier. According to one of the discussion boards I found, a poster claimed that Johnson Controls is now owned by a company in China, since 2010. The poster claimed that the contract with Walmart forced them to go with the Chinese company as they were not capable to produce the volume of batteries demanded by Walmart sales and that Johnson Controls batteries (makes some of Walmart's batts) are Chinese and hence inferior. Not sure if this is true but it is what it said. Does anyone else have information on this? I'd like to know if this is true.

On edit: I also read, on other postings during that search, that Walmart's warranty/return policy sucks pretty bad.

I wonder who makes Costco's batteries. I thought I remembered hearing that they were Johnson Controls too...
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2014 | 01:25 PM
  #20  
olfordsnstone's Avatar
olfordsnstone
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
Here's an interesting site on battery choice.
The 7 Best Car Batteries for Your Vehicle - CarsDirect

Edit: here's another good link.
http://www.consumersearch.com/car-batteries
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2014 | 02:07 PM
  #21  
xaviar's Avatar
xaviar
Elder User
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 808
Likes: 3
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Money-Pit
Please share your horrible experience, and when you bought the junk Walmart batteries.
Went through 2 walmart maxx bateries in 12 months. had charging system checked and verified it was not the charging system. Took the second one back and put in a Deka. Went 4 years till truck got totaled.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2014 | 03:31 PM
  #22  
Money-Pit's Avatar
Money-Pit
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 3
From: SW Florida
Originally Posted by xaviar
Went through 2 walmart maxx bateries in 12 months. had charging system checked and verified it was not the charging system. Took the second one back and put in a Deka. Went 4 years till truck got totaled.
So we're talking about a Walmart Maxx battery 5 years ago. Those batteries are long gone. The OP is looking for batteries today. The ones they sell today are better. Lately, I've heard the Optimas quality has gone downhill....but 5 years ago, they were considered one of the best. Everything changes over the years. I have purchased Walmart Maxx batteries for 2 different vehicles and 1 boat within the past year, mine work great with no issues.

Anyway....batteries, oil, tires etc are more of a personal preference, and what works best for each individual owner is just an opinion.

( note to self... add batteries to list of topics not to comment on )
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Thomas Abney
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
24
Jul 3, 2018 09:59 AM
brian42
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
58
Jan 18, 2018 03:23 PM
Per4mance
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
16
Aug 9, 2014 09:29 AM
Bender99
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
27
Nov 25, 2010 09:43 AM
s2gots
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
10
Sep 13, 2007 07:36 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:23 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE