Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Battery replacement Question...help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 15, 2006 | 04:23 PM
  #1  
timmyjimmy5150's Avatar
timmyjimmy5150
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Battery replacement Question...help

Okay...
Have an 02 150 Screw 4X4 --- I want to replace the battery.....
I've got a few questions: Please help me if you can....

1.) How do I take the stock motocraft out?
2.) I've come down to 2 batteries.....
a.) Optima red top 34/78
b.) The "upgraded" motocraft battery w/ 850cca

Now --- Which one? I know the motocraft will fit like a glove.... Does the Optima fit well with the stock compartmnet setup?
Any hints/ ideas appreciated....

Thanks

tim
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2006 | 05:43 PM
  #2  
7700Rob's Avatar
7700Rob
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse
Well, the M/C is 36/84. To remove them, you need an 8mm socket. Take the two terminals off, remove the cover. Then there's a hold down bolt on the "engine side" of the battery, remove that and the battery is ready to come out.
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2006 | 10:03 PM
  #3  
preppypyro's Avatar
preppypyro
FTE Legend
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
If you find that your new battery is a little too small, which I did, just put a little block behind the battery and it holds perfect
 
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2006 | 10:58 PM
  #4  
budman-mo's Avatar
budman-mo
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 3
Any rightbattery of any brand should fit good, that's what the series number is for.

Buy the most months (60, 72, 84) to get the better battery. Usually more months have more cca's and will be better.

I usually by the house brand at O'reilly (midwest chain) and have had VG luck for many years. We run hwy, not uncommon to get 4-5 years and 200-300k out of one.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2006 | 02:25 AM
  #5  
ford390gashog's Avatar
ford390gashog
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Club FTE Gold Member
budman,

even the correct type of battery from several makers all differ in size slightly. optimas run on the small side. when i replaced mine in my 03 the ac delco i tried was to wide by 1/8'' to fit , the napa select was also 1/8'' to wide and the optima was to tall by 3/16''. the only thing that fit snug was a new motorcraft from ford. I went there last expecting them to be the most expensive. but they turned out to be the cheapest. 59.99 + tax and 4.00 core out the door. the napa and ac delco were 79.99 plus core and tax.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2006 | 10:49 AM
  #6  
jrlowscot's Avatar
jrlowscot
Mountain Pass
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Be sure to check the ratings of the batteries. I called and gave my truck info and they gave me a price. I asked for the cold cranking amps and found that some suppliers were 200 less than stock and the Napa I got was 30 more tan stock.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2006 | 11:02 AM
  #7  
Shernius's Avatar
Shernius
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 392
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
I got my battery at Wal-Mart and other than it being yellow everything is fine. I forget how many months the battery is but when I divide the price by the amount of months, I came up with the same number. So it came down to either paying for the extra months or worrying about the battery not lasting as long. I ultimately went with the more months to reduce any headaches later.
 
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2006 | 12:31 PM
  #8  
KingRanchMan02's Avatar
KingRanchMan02
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Club FTE Silver Member

The owners manual for your truck will list the battery information in both standard and heavy duty applications. My `02 F150 5.4L with tow package gets the heavy duty unit, a BXT-65-650. I believe that your truck would use the same one. The 650 suffix is the CCA rating, the other part of the part number is the case type and size.

If you have a stock truck with no additional electrical accessories, then you should be good with the stock battery rating. Having more CCA won't hurt anything and would be beneficial especially if you are in a severe weather area. The most important things are that the battery fits well in the battery tray, is secured in place by the hold down clamp, your battery cables are corrosion free, and that your battery connections are good.

I hope this a help to you.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Brett Foote
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DIYiT
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Nov 2, 2010 01:50 AM
SHAWN056.0
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
20
Sep 21, 2010 06:59 PM
Champ198
6.7L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Aug 29, 2010 07:57 PM
30over
Electrical Systems/Wiring
26
Jan 4, 2005 02:36 AM
HandOfGod
Audio & Video Systems, Navigation, Satellite Radio & Mobile Electronics
9
Oct 20, 2003 12:11 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:20 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE