A couple of questions:

1) how long did your original battery last? I'm on 6 years but I'm gonna swap it out real soon - the top is getting that crust of lead ash and I can barely see the "Good" bubble.

2) Does the condition of the battery effect how the truck performs? I was under the impression that the alternator took care of the truck during operation, but if the battery is running low or in need of replacement, will it impact driving conditions?

 

I have had batterys last anywhere from 4 to 8 years. I never had one fail in the winter, only when the weather is hot for some reason.

The condition of the battery should not effect the way your engine runs as long as the charging system is working properly, the charging system will supply all the power to run the vehicle and
recharge the battery. The battery is mostly used for just for starting until the charging system takes over.

 

I dont think batteries like the heat. I live in Texas and we are lucky if we get 4 yrs out of a battery. The heat evaporates the acid quicly down here even in a meintence free battery you dont get long life. The gel filled batterise seem to do pretty good in extreme heat.

 

The one that came in my truck was incredibly small, had trouble starting the truck, even though it was in tip top shape. The new one is a little over a year old.

However, I've got a 2000 Silverado that finally is on it's second battery (lasted 6 years 1999-2005), and a '92 GMC that's on it's third altogether.

And yes, it will effect how it performs, even once the charging system kicks in, all current must flow through the battery. A dieing battery isn't good at that for obvious reasons.

 

Batteries that are aging can result in a vehicle with lights that frequently and conspicuously get brighter and dimmer; this is usually noticed at night. The reason for this is because the battery runs the vehicle and the alternator is there to charge the battery on an as-needed basis, as determined by the regulator. If a person wants to get more months out of their battery, keep the thing clean between the terminals.

 

I've got a 98' Ranger , and my original battery lasted for 8 1/2 years. The best thing that you can do is to keep the top of the battery clean.

 

Well I'm still on my 99 Rangers 4.0L OEM Motorcraft, thats now 7 years old & still going strong.

The 94 Taurus 3.8L OEM Motorcraft was replaced in 2000, it was then 7 years old, as the vehicle was mfg in Dec 93.

It tested weak on a couple of cells, still cranked, started, & ran ok, but that poor puppy has to sit outside 24/7, so I doubted it would last the winter of 00!!!!
The replacement Motorcraft is still in there & so far going strong, so it's 6 years old now.

I went with a slightly larger amp hour replacement, because of all my electrical loads, so I hoped it might last a little longer, maybe 8 or 9 years, we'll see!!!!!

All my batteries get tripple distilled DI water stored in & dispensed in their own PE containers.
If I can't get DI water, I use distilled water, NEVER tap water.

Each time I gas up & check ALL my under hood fluids, the top of the battery gets a wipe down, such that it stays "squeeky clean"!!!!! lol

I also use "Cool Amp" on both ends of both battery cable connections & NEVER let any corosion build up there.

Also NEVER let the battery electrolyte level get low!!!! Yah I only use batteries I can access the cells on, so I can keep a check on each cell, to see how it's doing.

Our battery is also a electrical system "buffer" for electrical stystem voltage spikes, so it helps protect the onboard solid state components.

A weak battery, poorly functioning battery, puts a nasty stress on our solid state components & causes things like starter motors, electric window motors, computer, ignition system, ect to have to work harder than they were designed to.

SO, besides being a electrical storage device, it's also a load leveler & electrical spike buffer for the solid state components. We gotta take care of that puppy, if we want our rides to be happy!!!! lol

 

few things about lead acid batteries. 1 They hate heat, keep them about 70-80 degrees F. The colder you keep them the longer they last, but at the other extreme 0 degree they get sluggish. If the battery came with a insulated blanket around it like my 99 Ranger do not throw it away, it helps keep engine heat away from the battery when hot and keep the battery warm in the winter.
2. as said already keep them clean, that dirt film you see on the top is robbing power.
3. The bigger the physical size the better, gives more room for bigger plates and more space between them. Don't be fooled by the bigger cold crank capacity the better. The more cold crank capacity the battery has means more plates closer together and more likely to short out.
4. Lead acid batteries don't like to be discharged, keep your charging system up to snuff and you will get good life.

I live in SD wher the summer temps stay in the 75-85 degree range, I still have the oem batt. in my 99 Ranger. I buy blems for $25.00 as replacements and have always gotten 5-8 years from them.
Dan

 

What about those felt thingamajigers? I see them on the battery terminals and I don't see what they provide, except maybe as a way to keep the connection off the surface of the battery and out of that lead-acid film.

But don't those things just absorb the boil-over anyway? Also, I would think they would make putting the connection back on the terminal a bear since it would make the terminal that much shorter.

 

Motorcraft battery on the 97 Ranger 4 cyl M5OD I purchased earlier this summer appears original/oem. One of the first things I did after I bought it was remove the terminals from the posts and clean away the corrosion. Next thing I did was junk the oem clamps and I put on some newer, heavier duty ones. The oem ones on this truck were flimsy. Finally, I am still a believer in coating the terminals and posts with plain old lubricating grease, after all is in place, as a means of sealing over the connections and inhibiting future corrosion. There are some fancier gels out there now used just for that purpose but good old grease has always served me well on every vehicle I've owned. Never had a battery go dead on me. However, I'll probably replace the oem one this fall as my son is going to be driving this truck and it will sit outside. Cheap insurance.