You guys running the Optima batteries, I just want to doublecheck before I order anything.....are you running the 75/25 yellow tops?

 

I got a red top. My stereo doesn't hit that hard and I will most likely rarely use all my offroad lights. But if I need them the redtop shouldn't have any trouble.

 

I believe I have the Optima Battery D34/78-750U, Terminal: Dual - Top & Side
The biggest yellow top they have with dual posts.


Rick

 

i have a red top, but forget what it is exactly.

i thought Yellow tops weren't really recommended for use as a primary battery... or are you using it as a second battery?

 

if youre looking for a main auto battery to replace your starter, go with the redtop. despite what you may have heard, yellowtops really arent designed to be starting batteries. the redtops are designed are superior starting batteries, and handle extra load (audio systems, etc) with no problem. yellowtops are deep cycle batteries. theyre generally supplemental to a starting battery, and work well when fully discharged and recharged, where a normal starter battery would eventually fail.

youre not going to be deep cycling your battery, and even with upgraded audio/electrical, a redtop would be perfect.

 

1st, you are ordering? like having it shipped? that's a waste of money x10

2nd here's a little schooling on Optimas and the colors:

Optimas come in Starting batteries and Deep Cycle - Red tops are starting batts, Yellow Tops are Deep Cycle and Blue tops copme in both ( grey bottom= DC/ Black Bottom = starting)

Deep Cycles can be used as starting batteries but starting batteries can't be used as deep cycles. Deep cycle means exactly what it says- it was designed to be deeply drained almost to full discharge repeatedly. You'll notice that with a starting battery if it has died on you more than 3 times, you usually can't bring it back to life.

When picking your optima, highest price doesn't = best option. Buy for your situation, you'll see many cars and trucks in shows usuing the deep cycle yellow or blue tops because they are sitting there with music blasting, lights flashing and all the bells and whistles going for a long time without the car being on.

if this is how you plan to abuse your battery then that is what you need, if you just want a battery to start your truck that has some accessories, and get a long lasting reliable battery with a great warranty you only need a red top.

you want the 8004-003 which is the 34/78 RT and if you are paying more than $169 before tax you are getting ripped off

 

Good info right there!

 

Wow, Andy, you know batteries don't you? lol

 

So if I wanted a Yellow top instead of a Red top, just because of how I'll be using it, then I'd want the same one Rick has correct? The D34/78-750U.

 

yeah this thing is starting to slowly **** me off. I bought the 34/78 yellow top and cant figure out how to get it in the battery tray. Do I need to bend out the sides of the tray? If so, I can't figure out the best way to do it....my tools keep running into stuff when I try to bend it lol. I'm tempted to get out the grinder but I'd really rather not. I shouldn't have to. Is there something I'm not doing right here?

 

Yea..it should hit @ both ends, bend over the lips @ the ends some. I used a hard rubber mallot.

Rick

 

i was trying to use a hammer and couldnt get them to bend over. Pliers would work great but there's stuff in the way. When I get home, I'll have to see if I can come up with something. I don't know how tohe 2005 battery trays are, but the steel on the 01 tray's is pretty thick. i wish i could just use a rubber mallot.

 

$169 before tax? holy crap dude... where are you buying your batteries?!

i got a brand new 34/78 RT for about $120 including tax at autozone a few months back. $169 seems VERY high.

 

Hmmm..they are $159 plus tax @ Costco.

Rick

 

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...EJCI%7C%7Etrue

You must know somebody there because it shows $189 on their website.

Rick

 

Rick, thanks for all the help BTW. I was sitting here thinking about it and I think I came up with an idea but I'll have to look at the tray again. Anyways, thanks for the info. did you use the factory battery wedge or the one that came with the battery?

 

Damn, yours came with a hold down as well? Mine didn't so I had to modify the stock wedge & it still needs more modification.

Rick
PS: I didn't have to bend the lips over much, the yellow top is just a tad bigger than my stocker.

 

ok thats cool.

yeah mine came with the wedge and the two side extensions which im probably gonna use to. the tray is plenty wide enough but just a tad too short. I'll figure it out.

 

does anyone have any pictures of what they did to the battery tray to get it to fit?

 

yowza. maybe they had a sale or i got lucky or something. go me. ;o)

 

I have the bigger red-top and ran into the same problem. I simply used a diegrinder to remove the lip of the tray that was closest to the front of the truck. After that, the battery fit right in like a direct replacement.