Best replacement battery?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,225
Likes: 4,239
From: Kaysville Utah
I replaced mine a year or so ago. I've never had Motorcraft batteries last more than about 36-39 months. I replaced mine in November because they were testing a little weak and I didn't want to mess with changing them out in a January cold snap.
As stated Johnson Controls makes most batteries. Interstate, AutoZone, Energizer etc. So I got a set of Energizer at Sam's Club for $95 each installed vs about $125 plus install at the local Ford Dealer
As stated Johnson Controls makes most batteries. Interstate, AutoZone, Energizer etc. So I got a set of Energizer at Sam's Club for $95 each installed vs about $125 plus install at the local Ford Dealer
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 63,187
Likes: 6,646
From: Great Falls, Montana
I call it the 'Auto Zone' rule. I have been off roading for about 50 years some it SERIOU$$$, long time ago I discovered that niffy keen part that was supposed to make your rig more powerful than a speeding locomotive, when it broke out on the trail, which it did the label told you it would..."Universal Fit" (meaning it fits nothing in the known universe) and the company you bought it from was BumChuck Montana, you had a problem.
More than once I have come upon some guy sitting on the trail a 1000 miles from nowhere waiting on his BFF to show with a FEDX'd part. I have met guys out on the trail they had been there for over a week, one guy over 2 weeks...he was driving a MOOG from Germany.
More than once I have come upon some guy sitting on the trail a 1000 miles from nowhere waiting on his BFF to show with a FEDX'd part. I have met guys out on the trail they had been there for over a week, one guy over 2 weeks...he was driving a MOOG from Germany.
You might be surprised..........But there is such a place Bumchuck Montana........
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 12
From: Upstate NY
I've used the WalMarts exclusively for many years with only one early failure. I put one in my '06 in '09 that lasted about 5-6 months but the no-charge replacement was still doing its job in Nov. 2013 when I sent the truck down the road with a new owner. The current '11 has the originals but those will probably get replaced soon just because .......
New User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: ATL
Me too, they are the best and they just happen to make the Sears Die Hard Platinum. I have 3 of those things. One came out of my '03 Jeep Rubicon when I sold it, it now powers my gate (see my sig pic below), the other 2 came out of 2 other Jeeps I built. One a '55 Williy, 350/350 Cheby B8 and other my '06 Jeep Rubicon my daily driver. Those are now out in my truck camper, all of them are over 10 years old and still chugging along.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,145
Likes: 15,911
From: Wisconsin
So for some of us, Sears has closed and the closest one is over an hour a way. The time and fuel make local shopping with Odyssey a better value.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
Likes: 83
From: Georgia
I've had MotorCrafts in mine exclusively for years now and they've worked pretty well except on one condition. I had replaced both in my Excursion a couple of years ago and within a 8 months, one battery went bad. They replaced it free, but I was told that that battery only had the rest of the original battery's warranty left. That is the only discrepancy I've had with dealer batteries.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I've had MotorCrafts in mine exclusively for years now and they've worked pretty well except on one condition. I had replaced both in my Excursion a couple of years ago and within a 8 months, one battery went bad. They replaced it free, but I was told that that battery only had the rest of the original battery's warranty left. That is the only discrepancy I've had with dealer batteries.
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 572
Likes: 29
I had nothing but trouble with the yellow ones. Replaced battery trays and washer pumps that they ate. Two different vehicles, even replaced alternators in last ditch efforts. They kept giving me new ones alright, but the trouble didn't end till I gave up and bought other brands. Never, NEVER again!
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Another vote for the Die-Hard Platinum series. They are made by Odyssey and are a better price and a great warranty. I have a total of 7 of them. 2 in my 2002 F250, 2 in my 2000 Excursion and 3 in my boat.
Have not had an issue with any of them, but they are heavy as hell.....
Have not had an issue with any of them, but they are heavy as hell.....
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
I went with Deka batteries that are 850 cca. I tend to pay more attention to how friendly the dealer is with warranty replacement than what brand I am buying. The local battey/alternator shop sells Deka and has always treated me good. I have also had good service from DieHard, WalMart and even John Deere batteries.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,937
Likes: 2,651
From: The Great State of Texas
My 6.0 PSD would eat batteries like no tomorrow and the batteries I would use were Motorcraft. When one would go week I would drive to the Ford dealer parts department with my receipt and they would give me 2 new batteries no questions asked.
At this point I'm sticking with Motorcraft when the time comes to replace my current batteries.
At this point I'm sticking with Motorcraft when the time comes to replace my current batteries.
Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 0
From: Marble Falls, Tx.
Another vote for the Die-Hard Platinum series. They are made by Odyssey and are a better price and a great warranty. I have a total of 7 of them. 2 in my 2002 F250, 2 in my 2000 Excursion and 3 in my boat.
Have not had an issue with any of them, but they are heavy as hell.....
Have not had an issue with any of them, but they are heavy as hell.....
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 63,187
Likes: 6,646
From: Great Falls, Montana
I had to replace mine back in August and they were just shy of 4 years old. I didn't make more than 3 years on the Motorcrafts in my 2006 6.0. Some people have all the luck. My brother had a 2001 F550 7.3 that went close to 8 years on the original batteries while using a snow plow and salt spreader every winter.
I went with Deka batteries that are 850 cca. I tend to pay more attention to how friendly the dealer is with warranty replacement than what brand I am buying. The local battey/alternator shop sells Deka and has always treated me good. I have also had good service from DieHard, WalMart and even John Deere batteries.
I went with Deka batteries that are 850 cca. I tend to pay more attention to how friendly the dealer is with warranty replacement than what brand I am buying. The local battey/alternator shop sells Deka and has always treated me good. I have also had good service from DieHard, WalMart and even John Deere batteries.
Howdy Matt........
I have missed ya over at the "1 page"
My new Truck has been great........Link in my signature, Jolly Green Home
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 613
Likes: 1
I have an Optima red tops in my old Dodge and I've had it for 10 years. It's about toast though and I think I'm going to get another one, simply because I like that it can be mounted in any position without fear of leaking.
IIRC though there are only 3 main companies that make most US auto (Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls) and of the three I will typically buy the Exide made batteries. Simply because I have a friend in the battery business and that's what he sells.
IIRC though there are only 3 main companies that make most US auto (Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls) and of the three I will typically buy the Exide made batteries. Simply because I have a friend in the battery business and that's what he sells.