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

batteries?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 07:07 AM
  #1  
moose79's Avatar
moose79
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: london ontario
batteries?

what battery is everyone using?
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 07:22 AM
  #2  
fordf348's Avatar
fordf348
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 200
From: near Philadelphia Pa
I like the Optima red 6 volt, my last one was 7 years old and I changed it 3 years ago because I just felt it was time.
Ed
near Philadelphia
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 09:53 AM
  #3  
Doc's Avatar
Doc
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,966
Likes: 261
From: East KY
Club FTE Gold Member
I've had 2 very basic 6 volt Exide brand batteries off the shelf from Tractor Supply since I bought my truck in 2010.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 11:52 AM
  #4  
FortyNiner's Avatar
FortyNiner
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 422
From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
No name standard 6 volt from a farm supply store and a heavily discounted NAPA version (store event).
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 12:47 PM
  #5  
underthebridgejim's Avatar
underthebridgejim
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
Club FTE Gold Member
I have always been happy with the Optima red top battery that I had, and would buy another one with confidence.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 12:57 PM
  #6  
Harrier's Avatar
Harrier
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,693
Likes: 1,259
From: Jefferson City, MO
My Optima 6V red top has been great. I see they have doubled in price since I bought mine about 5 years ago.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 04:47 PM
  #7  
abe's Avatar
abe
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,431
Likes: 5,440
From: Central PA
Club FTE Silver Member

I buy my 6 volt batteries my local alternator/starter rebuild shop. The one in my 54 lasted 10 years.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 05:09 PM
  #8  
Moe Craig's Avatar
Moe Craig
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 48
From: Hot AZ (Phoenix Valley)
Club FTE Silver Member

I run Optima Red Top in everything I can get one for... I have 3 of them currently. 2 of them are having problems (so I'm trying to repair them).
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Fords to Drive Before You Die

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 06:55 PM
  #9  
mechmagcn's Avatar
mechmagcn
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,644
Likes: 55
From: Moro Bay, AR
Club FTE Gold Member
Been running Continental brand batteries for years with good results.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2019 | 07:57 PM
  #10  
moejr's Avatar
moejr
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 1,472
From: Mendon, Massachusetts
My red top working fine..... for the past 3 years anyway
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2019 | 10:31 AM
  #11  
48 Steel's Avatar
48 Steel
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 879
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs /Mesa AZ



The Odyssey 925 in my 48 F1
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2019 | 10:59 AM
  #12  
jniolon's Avatar
jniolon
old and in the way
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,928
Likes: 1,055
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Moe Craig
I run Optima Red Top in everything I can get one for... I have 3 of them currently. 2 of them are having problems (so I'm trying to repair them).
how do you repair them ???
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 11:25 AM
  #13  
rusty48's Avatar
rusty48
Tuned
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 359
Likes: 32
From: washington
I have a red top in another vehicle thats dead and would not take a charge. Did some research and according to the internet since its always right. Optima has a special charger. But you can and Im going to try to fool the battery by putting the charger on another battery then jumpers to the optima. Supposedly this works. standby...............................

red top is about 5 years so it could be beyond life expectancy anyway but nice to know you can freshen up since many of our trucks sit for extended periods of time.
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 11:33 AM
  #14  
Tedster9's Avatar
Tedster9
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Some chargers won't initiate without first seeing a certain minimum voltage. Paralleling a charged battery is a work around for this, the 2nd battery can then be disconnected. A "smart" charger with a float charge setting will prevent batteries from self-discharge.
 
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2019 | 11:58 AM
  #15  
Harrier's Avatar
Harrier
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,693
Likes: 1,259
From: Jefferson City, MO
I had my first Optima discharge completely and would not recharge. They sent a warranty replacement and didn't want the old one back.
I hooked the two batteries in parallel and hooked them up to a charger. I now have two good batteries. Although, one has been sitting for a long time since I don't need it at the moment.....
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:19 AM.

story-0
10 Fords to Drive Before You Die

Slideshow: 10 Fords to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-22 14:29:44


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition

The latest Expedition is quite popular, but it certainly isn't perfect.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-22 14:23:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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