What Brand...
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
What Brand...
Hey guys n gals, im gonna be in the market for a new set of batteries fairly soon, and I was just curious what some of you use for an UPGRADE to the stock ones?
Ive always liked interstate and have good luck with them in the past, but havent really "maxed out" the life of an interstate. (sold the truck after about 2 years left the interstate in there)
I do believe the stock batteries are 875(850 maybe) cca, and I am gonna look for some 1000 cca for an upgrade.
Thoughts, and opinions? Keep in mind I would prefer quality talk over cost talk, cost is important, but when it comes down to it, I personally like quality
Ive always liked interstate and have good luck with them in the past, but havent really "maxed out" the life of an interstate. (sold the truck after about 2 years left the interstate in there)
I do believe the stock batteries are 875(850 maybe) cca, and I am gonna look for some 1000 cca for an upgrade.
Thoughts, and opinions? Keep in mind I would prefer quality talk over cost talk, cost is important, but when it comes down to it, I personally like quality
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
My stock batteries lasted over 5 years. I replaced them with NAPA ones. When my alternator went out it took down a battery with it. When I went to exchange them at NAPA, I discovered that even though I bought the batteries on a company charge account, not all NAPA stores are connected through the computer system. They're just franchises, so without the receipt in hand there was no warranty. The guy behind the counter told me "We're not like Autozone that can look up your warranty by your phone number" as he pointed across the street at the Autozone
I put the yellow tops from Autozone in my truck, but when the 2 yr old Interstates went out in my wife's truck, I thought about how long the stock batteries lasted. I got her the Motorcraft batteries that come with a 3 yr. free replacement and 100 month pro-rated warranty. When my yellow tops go out, I'll be putting Motorcraft in mine too. They've proven they can last, and the warranty is good at any Ford dealer.
I put the yellow tops from Autozone in my truck, but when the 2 yr old Interstates went out in my wife's truck, I thought about how long the stock batteries lasted. I got her the Motorcraft batteries that come with a 3 yr. free replacement and 100 month pro-rated warranty. When my yellow tops go out, I'll be putting Motorcraft in mine too. They've proven they can last, and the warranty is good at any Ford dealer.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,573
Likes: 5,609
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the autozone batteries were put in my 02 3 days before i bought it last year. 3 weeks ago, i had to replace them cause they both died.
same thing with interstate. they only last about 1 year.
napa batteries last at least 5 years in my diesels, and 7-8 years in the cars.
when it comes to buying batteries, i get the largest cca that will fit in the vehicle.
same thing with interstate. they only last about 1 year.
napa batteries last at least 5 years in my diesels, and 7-8 years in the cars.
when it comes to buying batteries, i get the largest cca that will fit in the vehicle.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 1
From: Milroy, PA
Theres an important thing about interstate batteries and our trucks Ive learned. There are two part numbers, the more common MT-65, and whats usually called MTP-65. (im not 100% on the number, but am on the letters) Usually the extra P just means a longer warrenty. In the 65 series, it means higher CCA, and the MTP is the only one rated for our trucks, in the diesel category. The station I work at, is an interstate dealer, and the first time I replaced them with the MT-65, and they were fine in the summer, but come winter, cranked pretty slow. I looked again, and then looked up the difference between the MT-65 and MTP 65, and this is what I found. (haha going to their site now) MTP 65 has a rating of 850 CCA, and the MT-65 has a rating of 675 CCA. Like I said, usually the difference of the extra P with the same model, is only extended warrenty, and I, aswell as anyone could make that mistake. My MTP-65s have been working just fine, and I would reccomend interstate to anyone, I really prefer and trust in interstate batteries. This is similar to chevies, were the gas trucks usually get an MT-75, diesels get MT-78. They are exactly the same size, just more power.
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,573
Likes: 5,609
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i would never use 850 cca batteries. that is what was in the 02, and when the batteries died on me in a truckstop in ohio when i stopped for fuel, the set of interstates they sold me were 850's also. they died within 11 months.
the napa batteries i use are 1150 cca. they cost almost $90 each, but are worth it in my eyes.
the napa batteries i use are 1150 cca. they cost almost $90 each, but are worth it in my eyes.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Thanks for the reply's fellas, and keep em coming!
I just wanted to comment Tom on your last 90 dollar remark. I myself consider 90 bucks to be very very reasonable for a battery, I was thinking I would end up spending around 150 bucks EACH for a good quality high cca battery.
Im pretty sure the motorcraft, and the interstates are made by the same big main company, just cant think of the name right now, so I wonder if the quality would be the same or not?
I had a interstate in my one f150 I used to have, and it was head and shoulders a much better cranking battery then the motorcraft one that was in there was. In the winter it spun over so much better, and the motorcraft was just over a year old, according to the date on the battery.
the batteries in my superduty as far as i can tell are stock, and my trucks an 03, so i guess they did ok.
I just wanted to comment Tom on your last 90 dollar remark. I myself consider 90 bucks to be very very reasonable for a battery, I was thinking I would end up spending around 150 bucks EACH for a good quality high cca battery.
Im pretty sure the motorcraft, and the interstates are made by the same big main company, just cant think of the name right now, so I wonder if the quality would be the same or not?
I had a interstate in my one f150 I used to have, and it was head and shoulders a much better cranking battery then the motorcraft one that was in there was. In the winter it spun over so much better, and the motorcraft was just over a year old, according to the date on the battery.
the batteries in my superduty as far as i can tell are stock, and my trucks an 03, so i guess they did ok.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
If you have a nice bumpin system and like to listen to it alot when the alternator isnt spinning, get a set of deep cycle batteries. I have yellow top optimas, and although they look really out of place under my hood, they do their job well, and i like how they are smaller than stock. I plan on putting them together on the driver's side one day.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 1
From: Milroy, PA
If you have a nice bumpin system and like to listen to it alot when the alternator isnt spinning, get a set of deep cycle batteries. I have yellow top optimas, and although they look really out of place under my hood, they do their job well, and i like how they are smaller than stock. I plan on putting them together on the driver's side one day.
Reserve capacity, being what you are after, when your looking to use the battery for a while, without charging.
The largest series yellow top, that on their site says its a new model (model D31) has CCA of 900. Regular cranking of 1125, and Reserve capacity of 155 minutes. The other models are less then that. We used to have really good luck with them, as our secondary battery system, but they ended up only lasting a short while. So after a few returns, i actually tested the RC (reserve capacity) of a new, optima taken off the shelf. First I fully charged it, untill charge current was less then 500mA, then drew 20-25 amps, continuously untill 10.5 volts. IIRC it was about 75% of what was listed. Tried this with a couple of batts, then gave up on optimas. Not saying they wont work for what your using them for, just they didnt last for me. The only nice thing, on the optimas, over the interstates, and most batteries, is they are sealed. Which is nice if you want to put them in your cab, or something similar.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 0
From: VA
Sheldon...it seems like most batteries are from Johnson Controls...Including the ones weve been throwing back and forth in your thread. Im not totally sure about the NAPA or AC Delco stuff but Im pretty sure the rest of them are from JCI!
Edit...found out the rest...
"Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names. Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts."
Edit...found out the rest...
"Most auto batteries are made by just three manufacturers, Delphi, Exide, and Johnson Controls Industries. Each makes batteries sold under several different brand names. Delphi makes ACDelco and some EverStart (Wal-Mart) models. Exide makes Champion, Exide, Napa, and some EverStart batteries. Johnson Controls makes Diehard (Sears), Duralast (AutoZone), Interstate, Kirkland (Costco), Motorcraft (Ford), and some EverStarts."
Thread Starter
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Good info Tristan i would rep ya, but I musta got ya somewhere else recently.
So if they are made by the same manufacturer, I wonder if they are actually made different or whatnot?
In the end I just would like to find something that is up near the top for quality.
Kris, how many cca is your optima's?
So if they are made by the same manufacturer, I wonder if they are actually made different or whatnot?
In the end I just would like to find something that is up near the top for quality.
Kris, how many cca is your optima's?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,573
Likes: 5,609
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i was just thinking Sheldon, and realized the $90 battery was for the crown vic.
the diesel batteries are $132 each with my bulk buyers discount. but it don't make any difference to me.
when buying something for myself or family members vehicles, i get the best i can regardless of the price.
i may shop around for lower quality and prices for other peoples stuff, but when it comes to me and mine, top quality all the way, and cost is not a factor.
