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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

battery selection?

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Old Feb 13, 2017 | 02:00 PM
  #1  
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Question battery selection?

though still a bit off, i'm looking forward now to getting everything together in order to actually fire up the motor for the first time... which means i'll need a battery.

what considerations apply? since i don't plan to mount in the engine compartment, fitment really isn't an issue. would like to run an optima (had good luck with one "back in the day" of rockcrawling w/ the jeep).

so presumably just cranking output and post mount preference?
thoughts on red top vs yellow top?

no power windows or locks planned, though hopefully a decent sound system at some point down the road. 351W, EFI. will spring for a new alternator, too (so anything to keep in mind in that regard, too?).

thanks in advance.
 
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Old Feb 13, 2017 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by GoldCo
though still a bit off, i'm looking forward now to getting everything together in order to actually fire up the motor for the first time... which means i'll need a battery.

what considerations apply? since i don't plan to mount in the engine compartment, fitment really isn't an issue. would like to run an optima (had good luck with one "back in the day" of rockcrawling w/ the jeep).

so presumably just cranking output and post mount preference?
thoughts on red top vs yellow top?

no power windows or locks planned, though hopefully a decent sound system at some point down the road. 351W, EFI. will spring for a new alternator, too (so anything to keep in mind in that regard, too?).

thanks in advance.
I used a red top. Good strong battery.
 
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Old Feb 13, 2017 | 09:04 PM
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I'm also running an Optima Red Top battery... I want to add a second, for a dual battery system. I also want to move them behind the seats, after I move the fuel tank to under the bed.
 
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Old Feb 13, 2017 | 09:34 PM
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Battery lication

I am running a sealed battery (not optma) and I have decided to mount it off of the frame inside the rear of the passenger front fender.

Bought a sealed battery box (a little big) but I think it will work. I am still in the process of building the battery tray. I will keep you all updated.

Thanks

Dan
 
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 01:01 PM
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Yes, Optima is expensive but if you have a project truck that may sit for a while the the Yellow Top is better as it is designed to hold a charge even while sitting and have more power available between charges.



* * *
 
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Old Feb 15, 2017 | 04:18 PM
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I've been running a Red Top for about 7 years. the Yellow Tops do have more of a deep cycle desighn, but My Red Top still starts first time every time even after sitting a few weeks. The only time I ever had any failure was due to a short in the truck a few years back that drained it, a quick jump and it has never had any problem since. I would definitely buy another one.
 
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