Battery replacement
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Cross-Country
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Washington, D.C.
Battery replacement
Bought my 96 in 2007. 11 years and the batteries have finally died. Not from use. I let the truck sit a lot. Months at a time before I drive it for a few days, maybe a week or two and its back to sitting, looking pretty for months. Hell, last year it sat for about 7 months and fired right up when I went to it.
I haven't pulled them out to see if they could just be charged up to get some more time out of them. I figure I should replace them before bragging about getting 11 years of batteries turns into complaining about being stuck on the side of the road.
Any suggestions? My truck mainly sits, in spot that is not close enough to have a trickle charger plugged in.
I haven't pulled them out to see if they could just be charged up to get some more time out of them. I figure I should replace them before bragging about getting 11 years of batteries turns into complaining about being stuck on the side of the road.
Any suggestions? My truck mainly sits, in spot that is not close enough to have a trickle charger plugged in.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 882
Likes: 11
From: Eastern CT
I would suggest Interstate batteries or the Duralast gold from Autozone. I've heard good things about Costco and Motorcraft batteries. I believe that all of the above are manufactured by Johnson Controls. Just my $0.02. If it sits a lot, I would second the solar battery charger/ maintainer.
Red
Red
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,096
Likes: 1,498
From: western SD
I have Motorcraft in my 96 C&C, which seems to be hard on batteries. They come with a 36 month free replacement/76 month prorated warrantee. I purchased the first set, and they have been replaced 2 times on the 36 month free replacement, with no questions asked. The last set they replaced had a shipping date of 9/15, and were replaced in 1/18, all from my local Ford dealer.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,476
Likes: 2,009
From: North Texas
I have been using Duralast Golds for years and years and years in about 12 vehicles. Easy for me to use a warranty, if needed, due to multiple locations and good hours.
Costco batteries are good, my pal has one in his Bricknose that sits a bunch. Their hours and spotty locations steered me away from them. I would pick an OE Motorcraft before Costco due to ease of replacement, if needed. Hell, I would even consider a top level Walmart one. Their bottom level ones are cheap for a reason, significantly reduced CCA....that may be fine if it is always warm where you live.
Costco batteries are good, my pal has one in his Bricknose that sits a bunch. Their hours and spotty locations steered me away from them. I would pick an OE Motorcraft before Costco due to ease of replacement, if needed. Hell, I would even consider a top level Walmart one. Their bottom level ones are cheap for a reason, significantly reduced CCA....that may be fine if it is always warm where you live.
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 538
Likes: 42
From: Southwest Missouri
I always run interstate or better in a diesel. I know people always say "well these batteries are made by the same manufacturer and are the same" which may be true in some instances, but anytime I or anybody else has decided to put that to the test, they've regretted it. I have never heard of batteries lasting 11 years before. I say whatever brand those we're, if they are still around, run those again because you've had awesome luck. Here in Arizona, 3 years is about average but 2 years isn't uncommon for a battery to fail.
My dad got 2 used redtops from an Interstate wholesaler here in Phoenix many years ago and paid $25 a piece for them for his 99 F350 7.3 and he got a almost 6 years out of them. That was the craziest battery life I've heard of until reading your post.
My dad got 2 used redtops from an Interstate wholesaler here in Phoenix many years ago and paid $25 a piece for them for his 99 F350 7.3 and he got a almost 6 years out of them. That was the craziest battery life I've heard of until reading your post.
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