My truck is a 98 and it still has the original battery in it. Last year when I got my oil changed they told me I might wanna get it changed before winter as to not get stranded. Well, I didn't get it changed and I've yet to have any problems at all with the battery. My question is, should I replace it now as it is quite old, or should I just wait until it dies. Seeing as I drive 70 miles to school and 30 miles to work I don't want to get stranded if it does die, but then I don't want to buy the battery and replace it if I don't need to do it just yet.

Is almost 10 years just a little bit too long to rely on the original battery?

 

You're probably ready for a new battery... here's my previous post...
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=49388

You've got more years out of your factory battery than I did with my last one.
Never hurts to get one with more CCA's than the old one too.

 

my truck is a 97 and i just had to replace mine, i would let it go and see what happens.

unless you have the money to spend, its really upto you.

 

70 miles one way or round trip?
mines 2 years old almost 3, i think a few more winch recoveries mine will be fried...

 

I'm still rockin' my Aug 2000 OEM battery. I attribute its longevity on the ease of starting.

Key on, pause, clutch in, less than a second of crank, release and she's running. Every time.


If I were in your situation, I'd go ahead and replace it before this winter. There's no telling when it'll fail (and you KNOW it's gonna be the worst possible time when it goes). I've never had to push start this truck, but I guarantee it's not gonna be fun, especially alone. $50 well spent, just for the peace of mind.

I keep a jump start unit in my truck (it was a gift).

 

One way. So that's about 140 miles round trip for school and 60 round trip for work. Sucks.

 

I think we all know what will happen . I'd go have it tested, and depending on the test, buy a new one. A 10 year old battery is almost unheard of, and they never fail when you don't need them!

 

^^So true... I always buy factory replacement batteries or Die hard from Sears. Both have never failed to deliver...

 

I've also always had good luck with Die Hard

 

ya mines a 99 still on the original battery, its the next purchase on my list before winter

 

Mine was still working great when I got rid of mine but I couldnt pass up a free Optima Red Top

 

if you buy one from autozone or walmart they are the exact same johnson controls battery as die hard.. only cheaper...

http://www.autobatteries.com/brands/index.asp

 

id get it tested then go from there