Should I spend the extra 80 for an optima battery??
 

So I need a battery bad... Mine has made me late to work 2-3 times now and cranks the truck really slow.

I will probably just get a battery at Autocrap (Autozone).

I had a thread a while back about the optimas and was going to get one.

The Duralast is like 79 bucks,
O.E. group size: 59 *** 590 cold cranking Amps (735 cranking Amps) *** -> 2 year free replacement <-

The Optima redtop is 159$
RedTop®; Battery; Group 75/25; Cold Crank Amps 720; Crank Amps 910; Reserve Capacity 90; Ampere Hour 44; Dual Terminal; L-9 5/16 in.; W-6 13/16 in.; H-7 5/8 in.; UNBOXED; *** 720 cold cranking Amps (910 cranking Amps) *** Requires bottom hold-down adapter, check hood clearance. -> 3 Year free replacement <-


They say the Optimas are vibration resistant and this and that better fo wheeling but when it comes down to it is it worth it???

i have had a Duralast Gold for the last 3 years....I had 1 replaced in those 3 years under warrant for something I did to the battery......i like them....

how long have you had your battery? if it was me i would cough up the other 80 to get the better battery

i have had a yellow top in the banana for about 4 years now i know i am needing a new one but the truck still runs fine just when i hit all the lights is when i start to notice it and in my 97 i have a regular battery from advance auto and its lasted me about three years

I have one but I don't think I would buy on again, not worth the extra cash. If it was me I would just get the largest cold cranking amp battery that will fit in the stock battery location.

^ that's what I did, last time I needed a battery I just got the biggest one that would fit in the stock location

Works great with the winch -- low internal resistance. I like it. I'd buy another one.

so im getting mixed answers...


I still have the stock battery been working great until recently.

I still have the stock battery. I had a red top in my Mustang then it moved to my F-150 and I dont really think it was worth the money. It didnt seem to have great cranking power in winter with my F-150 and it didnt like the high compression in my 347 stroked mustang. My next battery with be a reg. motorcraft which they sell around town here at the advanced auto and checker auto.

YES GET IT!! I have a red top and it has never let me down

It's typical of anything that some like it and some don't.

you really can't go wrong with either one. It all comes down on how much you want to spend. If you had a winch or a high power stereo I would say go with a optima or a oddesye(spelling?) but you don't so just get a regular battery. But I would get one larger then 590 cold cranking amps.

Ok, get one at wally world, pep boys, autozone, etc. and you'll pay around $60-$75 depending on the size and warranty and it will last about 3-5 years.

Buy an Ultima for $159 give or take depending on size and it will last about 3-5 years.

So you pay say, $75 for one and about $159 for the other and they both have the same expected life.

What's your choice?

my 2003 Ranger has the original battery in it still working just fine.

I say factory replacement or a die hard. My factory one is still in perfect working order, and in every other vehicle I have had, die hards have done well...

go to walmart and get an "everstart maxx".
they have yellow bottoms with a black top.

they are made by johnson controls, and they are known for making the best battery's.

when mine took a crap, i went to the bigger battery, but they stopped using the big tray in 97, so you have to stick with the small one, unless you feel like making it fit.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...15-07_1738.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...15-07_1739.jpg

my factory battery took a crap in the summer time of 07.
10 years... im not going to complain haha.. :borladuck

my only thing is i have been thinking about getting a winch... but if i actually get one is a different story.

my stocker has made it 5 most stockers make it longer than that.


idk i dont really want to pay 159 for an optima so i probably wont.

i might go check out that one walmart has...

I have a red Top Optima. I have had great luck with it. Never any problems. I would buy one again...at the same price. A friend of mine has a friend that ownes a battery shop....he gets "Blemished" Optimas. They may have a broken handle or scratches. I only paid $60!!

another option:

I heard these are $95 at sams club:
http://www.exide.com/products/light_...t_orbital.html

Exide also make these batteries for Pro-comp who sell them under the pro-comp name.

For a ranger I'd just get a standard replacement battery.
If reduced weight was important? Or high output mattered?.. then maybe.

Rich

But they aren't equivalent either, Carl. If you bang your battery around a lot, the AGM spiral cells will last a lot longer. That's why a lot of offroading people get them.

It really depends on your needs, and what you're willing to spend. I can tell you that in winching service in particular, you probably won't get the same life out of standard battery as you will out of an Optima so once again it's service dependent.

If all you do is start your street truck -- an Optima would be a silly choice in terms of economics. But in certain types of service it makes sense. Almost nobody is talking application here -- just price.

The Exides have a pretty good rep and the same basic technology as the Optima. Might be a good choice if you're willing to spend a little more.

thats not bad but i am not driving 30 miles to sams club. lol

You just need to make a trip to stock up on everything you need from Sam's club, lol -- so the savings exceed the gas and expenses, lol...

lol, if you do take the trip, make sure you call first because this is info that I heard, I havent seen them there for that price. I also think Napa may carry Exide.