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Group 31 Battery

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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 09:50 AM
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Group 31 Battery

the past summer I have been running one of the 9 year old group 65 batteries that came with my truck. With the cold weather though, It is time for a new battery. When it gets under 15* and I have to run the glow plugs, It cranks over a little slower than I like. It always starts easy, but it is time to change before I get stranded.

I see a lot of people saying to get group 31 batteries, but I see other people saying that they don't fit. Since I only have one battery, I would like to get the best I can.

Will the group 31 fit?
 
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 06:54 PM
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Why are you only running one battery? If you get 2 batteries it will help the cold starting, and you don't need to worry about the larger size fitting or not.

I don't know if 31's fit or not, I believe the group 65 is the stock size and 2 work better than one.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 07:23 PM
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What truck? If it's a stock IDI truck, no 31s won't fit. They are huge and also require a bolt on post. They do fit in the bed just fine though, but if you're going to that kind of trouble just get an 8-D and be done with it.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 08:14 PM
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I've got group 31's in mine; they /barely/ fit. You may need to modify the battery floor/plate a bit, but it'll fit(though the negative outer side will definitely push at the hood padding).

*Good* group 65's work just fine, though. I've really not noticed any difference in cranking speed or anything, and the CCAs aren't that much less(like 850 instead of 950 or so).
 
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 09:17 PM
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I have an air filter in the way of the passenger side battery. They make group 31's that have post terminals but I prefer the stud anyways.

By modifying do you mean bending/removing the inner lip?

I guess I will pick up a battery tomorrow and give it a whirl. I'll probably throw a piece of rubber over the top just to be safe.

850 cca to 1000 cca is a pretty big difference and I would wager the 200 min reserve on the group 31 is a fair bit more than the group 65.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 12:40 AM
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They are too long, but they will stay in the tray, you have to bend the one side down so as to not gouge the battery. Im running a single group 31, but i dont have glow plugs. Cranks over great.
 
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Old Dec 27, 2014 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by hairyboxnoogle
They are too long, but they will stay in the tray, you have to bend the one side down so as to not gouge the battery. Im running a single group 31, but i dont have glow plugs. Cranks over great.
The group 31 fits great. I pulled the tray out and worked the lip on the anvil.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2014 | 08:03 PM
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Getting pretty high tech lol... i just used a pair of channel locks.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2015 | 08:32 PM
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I am glad to report that one group 31 battery will start my truck with ease at -15*F without being plugged in.

While browsing, I just came across these:

MX3000 | XS Power | Real Power, Unreal Performance

You could run to town and back on two of those.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2015 | 08:48 PM
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Holy cow... that is spendy.

I think my starter is getting tired. -7 and no go. Was pretty rough at 11 the other morning but did go. I dont mind plugging it in when its that cold though. We dont even see single digits that often let alone negative.
 
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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 02:15 AM
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Originally Posted by hairyboxnoogle
Holy cow... that is spendy.

I think my starter is getting tired. -7 and no go. Was pretty rough at 11 the other morning but did go. I dont mind plugging it in when its that cold though. We dont even see single digits that often let alone negative.
Remember, batteries don't like the cold either. It might be a good idea to somehow warm the batteries before trying to start when it's really cold.

I've been having my own troubles; it's been bitterly cold(11F and around) here as well, and sometimes my truck just cranks slowly. Sometimes it'll randomly crank faster, too, which is odd. But, it *is* 11F, and it *will* start, so I'm not yet worried. I do have a spare starter if I really need it, though...
 
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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by hairyboxnoogle
Holy cow... that is spendy.

I think my starter is getting tired. -7 and no go. Was pretty rough at 11 the other morning but did go. I dont mind plugging it in when its that cold though. We dont even see single digits that often let alone negative.

WTH, negative seven in Oregon???!!!
 
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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Chevy_Eater
WTH, negative seven in Oregon???!!!

Ohhhh, I just looked up Jordan Valley. You're in no man's land Harry!
 
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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Chevy_Eater
Ohhhh, I just looked up Jordan Valley. You're in no man's land Harry!
lol, Indeed. Im actually another 40 miles west of Jordan right before the 78/95 junction.

Last January was the 3rd coldest on record, only because it warmed up to the 20s in the last week. The average temperature was 4*. In 1986 the average was 2* and -1 in 1898
 
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Old Jan 2, 2015 | 10:34 AM
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Here in Southern Ohio 2 group 65 Wal-Mart batteries do the trick. Just replaced them the other day after 5 1/2 yrs service.
 
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